Hotel Arena, Amsterdam

From catholic orphanage for girls to pop stage with dorms for youngsters from far and wide. From shelter during World War II, to shelter for people from the Dam and Vondelpark to a trendy hotel today. An exceptional building requires a special destination, which has definitely been given to this monumental building from 1886 in which the Arena Hotel is now situated. All of this provides a rich history and unique atmosphere that you can immediately sense as soon as you enter.

Great spot, nice location

As the bicycle is lord and master in the city centre of Amsterdam, we decide to stay in a hotel where we could easily lose our car and then go out without having to worry. This convenient location is one of the assets of the Hotel Arena, located in East Amsterdam. You will stay in a unique building at the Oosterpark, set in lush greenery and only five minutes away from the centre. A great place to rest when on a busy city trip. For those wanting to lose energy there is an exciting event program including yoga, boot camps, tennis or festivals.

Airy and bright rooms

When we enter our room, we can immediately notice the smart decorations. The bedroom is located on the top floor of the duplex room, giving it a very cosy feeling. The beds are nice and light. Through the high ceilings and windows, you can enjoy daylight in every part of the room. Relaxing, showering, snacking or baggage storage is all done at the ground floor of the room. Convenient cupboards and corners make sure that there is plenty of space.

No to hunger

The PARK café-restaurant is a real asset to the Arena Hotel. Here you can enjoy a nice breakfast or have a nice lunch for a nice price. We savour a richly filled Caesar salad and a creative, sophisticated steak sandwich. The view of the park in the front yard will gently sooth you. The interior is tight and warm with a classy look and this without sacrificing cosiness. The icing on the cake is the fireplace, where you can relax and enjoy a good book. Or why not work peacefully, surrounded by cosy activity. We have already tried the last option, and quite successfully if we may say so. 🙂

In short…

The Arena Hotel is a funky place to stay with a solid hipster level, but it is also very authentic. During the renovations, they have truly managed to balance the monumental framework with contemporary design and warm decor. The PARK café is also a nice place to spend some time. In short: tailored to the hip city dwellers dying for a place to relax.