Hotel Okura Amsterdam

On my recent trip to Amsterdam, I stayed at the Hotel Okura. To be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of the Okura group. Whether it’s in Japan or Taiwan, they’ve always felt a bit 'dated' and dimly lit to me. My pre-trip research for this Dutch outpost gave me the same impression: at first glance, this 50-year-old hotel feels like a time capsule—the lighting is moody, and it lacks that 'Grand' or 'Bling-bling' factor so common in modern five-star hotels. So why did I end up booking it? Simple: Value for money. They had a 'Stay 4, Pay 3' offer, which brought the average to about €300 a night. When you look at the Mandarin Oriental at €800 or the Waldorf Astoria hitting over €1,000, choosing Okura was a smart move for the wallet. After all, a hotel is for staying, right? Plus, friends who stayed here had zero complaints. Even though my channel focuses on 'Luxury,' I still value sensible spending for a better payoff down the road—but let's keep that a secret for now, as there will be some really over the top hotels that I will stay in the near future. Once you step inside, you begin to see the brilliance of this hotel. Unlike many international brands nestled in old buildings or tourist traps, Okura is one of the tallest structures in the city. Rumor has it that a theater was supposed to be built next door but never happened, leaving Okura with an unrivaled skyline view. Just look at this view from my room on the 14th floor—you can see right across the whole of Amsterdam. Secondly, the location. Some friends said it might be a bit out of the way, but I totally disagree. While it’s not in the bustling heart like the W or the historic canal belt like the Waldorf, its distance from the crowds makes it incredibly tranquil. More importantly, it’s sandwiched between two metro stations, with tram stops just a 5 to 10-minute walk away. The surrounding area is packed with high-quality restaurants—not the touristy traps you find in the center. And speaking of food, the culinary scene here is spectacular, but I'll get to that in a bit. Let’s talk about the room. I stayed in a standard room, which is about 300 square feet. It’s not massive, but it has everything: a King-size bed, a sofa, a proper workspace, and a well-stocked mini-bar. As I mentioned, it feels a bit vintage and dimly lit. I found out later that while they renovated the suites and Executive Lounge between 2018 and 2020, the design remains a very steady 'Wayo-Setchu' (East-meets-West) style, which is why the 'newness' isn't immediately obvious. The bathroom is, as expected, featuring L'Occitane toiletries—no complaints there. Curiously, they provide bulk-sized dispensers of an unknown brand in the shower, but I’ll just stick to the L'Occitane. The real crown jewel of this hotel, however, is the gastronomy. At its peak, it was the only hotel in Amsterdam to house three different Michelin-starred experiences under one roof. Even now, it boasts two starred restaurants, including Ciel Bleu (2-star French) on the 23rd floor, which I’ll show you later. First, let’s look at Serre (pronounced 'Sair'), which holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. We started with a Salsify appetizer—a pickle and walnut salad with a sesame-like dressing. It was refreshing, crunchy, and unexpectedly satisfying. For the main course, the duck was spot on: crispy skin, lean meat, and paired perfectly with miso sauce, so it didn't feel heavy. The dessert—a Chai Latte ice cream with tangerine and sponge cake—had a perfect balance of textures and flavors. At €55, this meal absolutely earns its Bib Gourmand title. Now, for the star of this hotel—I mean literally, cos it is the two-Michelin-starred Ciel Bleu. While it’s famous for its panoramic views and refined cuisine, the real surprise started with the most basic ingredients. We began with a rich, flavorful Beetroot Hummus that completely redefined my expectations—a touch of sweetness to the traditionally savory hummus that added such depth. Then came the bread, where the sidekicks stole the show: four types of butter (original, yuzu buckwheat, and my favorite: the red onion) and a top-tier Marina Colonna D.O.P. Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy. Dipping the sourdough into that oil was pure bliss. Beyond the set menu, there were surprises like the Smoked Bluefin Tuna with Caviar—incredibly fragrant and silky. For the mains, the King Crab was sweet but had a bit of fishiness, though the chef cleverly balanced it with an Italian jelly. The Seabass was beautifully seared, accented with tiny dried shrimp for a surprising Chinese-inspired twist. The MVP of the night was undoubtedly the Mieral Pigeon. This is top-tier French pigeon, served with porcini sauce and hazelnut. The sauce elevated the gaminess perfectly, and the richness of the liver was unforgettable. The A5 Wagyu followed—buttery, marbled, and not at all greasy. We finished with a Sake Kasu (Lees) & Jasmine Rice dessert—a perfect harmony of sake aroma and creamy rice. Although I wish it would end this way without the strawberry-flavored ‘mushroom’ or sorbet. Overall, the ingredients at Ciel Bleu are just divine. But is it worth two stars? If Michelin gave half-stars, I’d take away half a point—let's call it a 1.5-star experience. The meat was a perfect 2-star, but the seafood had minor flaws, like that slight fishiness, which shouldn't happen at this level. Oh, I forgot to mention that I have tried the Room Service as well; no complaints, as service was prompt and food was of high-quality. By the way, if you’re a member of Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), your stay here typically includes complimentary breakfast. It’s served buffet-style, and being a Japanese-rooted hotel, they offer a great variety of Washoku options alongside an A La Carte egg station. Is it worth it? Well, as a perk of the membership, I’m more than happy to take it. But honestly, if you're paying out of pocket, you might find some local spots nearby that offer even better quality for your morning fix. Finally, the facilities. I didn't use the gym, but it's well-equipped with treadmills, dumbbells, and strength training machines. The 25-meter pool and jacuzzi look great, though my only complaint is that the pool isn't heated—it’s a bit chilly in this weather! So, am I satisfied with Okura? As I said at the start, it doesn’t have the 'WOW' factor. But it has everything I value in a five-star hotel: environment, food, convenience, and views. Finding all four in a historic city like Amsterdam isn't easy. Staying here feels exactly like flying Japan Airlines’ First Class. In an era obsessed with 'Instagrammable' aesthetics and flashy decor, Okura’s 'retro' design might feel dated, but it hides a distinctive Japanese persistence. It doesn't do gimmicks; it pours its soul into the things you can’t see but can definitely feel—the understated service, the obsession with detail, and the pursuit of culinary perfection. This is a spirit we should cherish. It reminds me of how the modern Toyota Crown is starting to look like a German car; that era of 'Oriental Luxury'—with cabins so quiet your ears will ring and those signature red velvet seats—is slowly fading away as fewer people know how to appreciate it."

Very well appointed room. Clean, comfortable, quiet and fresh. Generally excellent, attentive service. Very good breakfast. Disappointing spa. Will return.

We chose this as a special treat for my wife's big birthday. We stayed in a suite with the most fantastic view. Now on to the staff, I emailed them to see if there was anything they could offer as a suprise for my wife. They made the most fantastic cake that really blew us away, it really was incredible. On the day we were having breakfast and my daughter mentioned to a staff member that it was her mums birthday and as we left we were literally chased down with a little box of chocolates, again my wife was blown away. Every member of staff that we spoke with or had contact with spoke with a smile on their face. I wish I'd taken the names of the team that did the breakfast, so chatty and interested in our day and they were soooo busy, they didnt make us feel rushed. So to sum up, go here you won't be dissapointed. We'll be back for sure

For me this hotel was nothing but amazing; I loved my stay. The pool was perfect. The rooms and service were perfect.

We had a wonderful stay at the Okura Amsterdam. The staff was very friendly…Aicha was always making an asserted effort to help us. The room was spacious and clean. We enjoyed everything from the rooftop bar to the breakfast experience. The hotel was well located with good restaurants nearby and a bit off the path of all the tourists.