With special thanks to the Hotel Pulitzer
If you’re reading this you’re probably already a well versed traveller. Well enough for us to not need to tell you that Amsterdam isn’t just for smoking weed, stag parties and hen dos. But have you ever thought of Amsterdam as the absolute perfect place to take your significant other? Probably not, but don’t sweat (yet…), here’s how you do it.
The first choice you have to make is when to go, but that’s easy because Amsterdam is on of those cities you can enjoy at any time of year. That said, we’d recommend spring or autumn to avoid the heavy crowds but still get some nice, romantic weather. Although, it’s beautiful around Christmas time too!
WHERE TO STAY
The Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam captures the whole of Amsterdam in one building (perfect if you’re not planning on leaving your bedroom…), but it wasn’t always this way. Back when the hotel was created, the owner knocked through 10 existing canal houses to create one giant building. The result? A quirky haven of mismatched rooms and passageways leading to stairways that lead to more passageways. Today, the hotel spans across 25 different original buildings, each decked out in a fresh and modern yet distinct design, with city references around every corner.
Amsterdam is a city that moves at such a fast pace, it’s sometimes hard to keep up with what’s hot. The Pulitzer has an army of some of the city’s finest concierges, ready to hook you up with anything you need, which is also where we come in.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Pause
Pause at Pulitzer is one of Amsterdam’s hottest lunch locations, perfectly hidden in plain sight for all day breakfast, coffee, cocktails – whatever you want. The pork belly and spring onion Poke Bowl is exquisite, but for more substantial appetites there’s an extensive menu with French vibes – pastries, quiche, fancy eggs and even the classic Croque Monsieur.
SOIL of Amsterdam
Ten years ago in San Francisco, in a bid to rid the world of boring plant-based food, Gustavo Bottino and Remco Groeneveld created SOIL. The desire was to reduce animal proteins in dishes but still harness the flavour that a lot of plant-based recipes lack. SOIL have smashed it, and the Amsterdam café has become something of a veggie institution for the coolest of customers.
Noorderlicht
The menu at Noorderlicht is created with the objective to have as little impact on the environment as possible. It’s mostly vegan and vegetarian, but in a refreshing twist of the norm, a few sustainable meat and fish options are available as side dishes. There’s real fun to be had with dishes you wouldn’t usually try, and the sharing style is so welcome for couples. Did we mention that you will absolutely devour the cocktail list? Try the rhubarb G&T for a little taste of home.
Ctaste
Dining in the dark is genuinely one of the most bizarre experiences you will ever have. You will be led to your table in the absolute pitch black, to the point you can’t see your hand in front of your face. The sudden loss of sight heightens your other senses, and since you’re not really sure what you’re going to be eating, aromas and flavour have never been more poignant. Sounds scary? Don’t worry, the restaurant team provide impeccable service and put you at ease, and if you were wondering how they do it, each member of staff is visually impaired.
Ton Ton Club
The original Ton Ton Club is tucked away down a tiny street by the Oude Kerk a couple of streets away from the thick of the red light district. This Amsterdam’s way of telling you to get super competitive with your partner – it’s basically an arcade bar, filled with retro arcade machines and board games to discover your inner child.
Pllek
We’re seeing Box Park-esque venues pop up all over the world and falling in love with each and every one of them. Pllek has been constructed from old shipping containers, and its sense of sustainability echoes through everything they do. They focus on organic in their menu which spans lunch through dinner. The whole venue is a bit of a nightlife hub, and on warm days you can chill with your loved one out on their very own riverside sandy beach.
WHAT TO DO
Adam Lookout
It’s a little known fact that there’s more than one way to get high in Amsterdam… Sitting atop the Sir Adam hotel across the canal behind the Centraal Station (there’s a super quick free ferry that will get you across in literal seconds) is the A’DAM Lookout. Sounds like a pretty tame viewing platform right? Wrong. The lookout is one of Amsterdam’s newest big attractions, a swing fit for two that literally swings over the edge of the hotel 100 metres above the ground. It’s exhilarating, and for daredevils only. Don’t forget to enjoy the view… if you can keep your eyes open.
Chocolate tasting
Chocolate is one of the world’s most popular main- stream aphrodisiacs, but what do you really know about it? In fact, did you know that Amsterdam is actually the world’s largest import port for cocoa? No you didn’t, but don’t panic. The expert chocolate tasting guides will tell you all you need to know.
Renting a tandem
Remember the song about a bicycle build for two? “Daisy, Daisy I’m half crazy… all for the love of you” – yeah it’s irritating, but not quite as irritating as actually riding a bike made for two people. And when we say irritating, we mean fun as hell. This is something that will have your cheeks hurting for hours afterwards, and maybe not just the ones on your face. Vacations are a time that might test your relationship, so why not push yourselves to the limit?!
Romantic Boat Tour
This is without a doubt one of the unexpectedly romantic experiences we have ever had. Boat drivers serenade you with romantic music and love stories and you sail through Amsterdam’s 165 canals (okay, maybe not all 165), admiring the city’s stunning unique architecture. Amsterdam is unlike anywhere else in the world, and experiences like this remind you exactly where you are in the world, in that one moment, with the person that you love.
