One of my favorite hotels is the Hotel de L’Europe in Amsterdam. It is owned by Heineken and is on the Amstel just across the river from the famous brewery. Legend has it that the freshest Heineken in the world is drunk at Freddy’s Bar in the Hotel de L’Europe. (Either because it is pumped there secretly under the river or they get daily deliveries.)
The hotel has been completely restored and I stayed there last month. Every room has reproductions of Dutch masters from the nearby Rijksmusuem on display and there is a new all suite Dutch Master’s extensions which has apartments and lofts to rent. The dining room and bars are first class and the service has to be seen to be believed.
It’s great to see the restoration on an old Master.
And, talking about restoration of old Master’s, a new Daniel Silva book is out featuring my favorite hero, Gabriel Allon, Italian restoration expert and intelligence operative – see his dossier here. Portrait of a Spy – it’s not to be missed.
