Amsterdam and The Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

One of the over 160 canals in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a beautiful old medieval city rich with history and grandeur.  Yet, in contrast, there is also a very hip vibe and a vibrant cosmopolitan feel with its interspersed modern architecture, café-lined streets, and markets.  Home to several world-class museums and famous shopping districts, the city is bustling with cars, trains, trams, buses, boats, scooters, and the occasional horse drawn carriage, passing in all directions.  With one of the highest concentrations of bicycles per capita in the world, Amsterdam’s pedestrians peddle and maneuver their way through the roads, alleys, and congested thoroughfares.  Age doesn’t seem to matter as both young and old opt for this method of transportation.

For visitors wanting to experience the quaint neighborhoods, countless “coffee shops,” renowned Red Light District, and local restaurants and pubs, rent a bike or put on a good pair of walking shoes to best see the city often referred to as “the Venice of the North.”  Amsterdam, a city that is known for its free spirit, open-mindedness, and being ahead of its time.

No one seemed to mind the chill in the air at the outdoor cafés

Hemp shops and coffee shops are plentiful in some parts of the city

Famous for Dutch cheeses, flowers, Hollandse nieuwe haring (raw herring) , Stroopwafel (syrup waffle), and of course, its beer, the capital of The Netherlands is also one of the hottest culinary spots in the world with many acclaimed chefs looking to the city’s avante-garde restaurants for their own inspiration.

Take a canal tour through over 160 canals in the city

Magna Plaza – Beautiful architecture for a shopping mall

Selecting a hotel with an intriguing past seemed appropriate for this city steeped in so much history.  The Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam was the perfect choice for our recent stay and first time visit to the city.  A legendary luxury hotel located in the heart of Amsterdam, close to the Royal Palace, and situated between two of the city’s many canals, this French owned and inspired property has a long and colorful background as the original structure on the property dates back to the 1570s.  At one time a convent and then converting to a hotel for nobleman and royalty (Princenhof) in 1578, the original building has also served as home to the Admiralty of Amsterdam and the city’s Town Hall.

Entrance to the property