Hoxton Amsterdam

Five 17th-century canal houses make up this retro-style boutique hotel, with more than half of its 111 rooms overlooking a particularly pretty stretch of the Herengracht.

Like its sister outposts in London and New York, The Hoxton draws a hip crowd with its cool vintage decor and low-key clubby vibe.

The living-room-like lobby bar is a favourite local hangout, while the sleek Lotti’s brasserie benefits from a retractable glass roof on warm days. Rooms are on the snug side, but feature lovely details such as classic herringbone floors and original beamed ceilings.

The hotel’s location is excellent – you’re in the nicest, most picturesque part of the city, inside the Canal Ring. From here you can wander or cycle Amsterdam’s lovely canals with ease. It’s a short tram ride to the big museum at Museumplein (Museum Square).