Hotel De Hallen

My roommate calls Hotel De Hallen the coolest hotel in Amsterdam. I have stayed in a lot of hotels in this city and I think she might be right.

The building used to be a tram depot. Like, an actual place where Amsterdam trams were repaired and stored. They turned it into this gorgeous industrial-chic hotel that somehow feels both massive and intimate at the same time. High ceilings, exposed brick, steel beams — but warm and inviting, not cold and sterile.

Location is the real killer feature. You are right next to the Foodhallen, which is a former tram hall turned food court with about 20 food stalls. My roommate and I go there at least twice a month and it never gets old. Having that literally 30 seconds from your hotel room is a cheat code for your Amsterdam trip. Your group cannot agree on dinner? Problem solved.

Oud-West as a neighborhood is genuinely one of the best areas in Amsterdam right now. It has that perfect balance of trendy and livable. Concept stores, wine bars, great coffee shops (the cafe kind, not the other kind). Vondelpark is a short walk away. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are about 15 minutes on foot.

The rooms are well-designed — modern, clean, with those nice industrial touches that remind you of the building's history without hitting you over the head with it. Good beds, good showers, which honestly is all I really care about in a hotel room. My friend who stayed here said the blackout curtains were "life-changing" after a late night at the Foodhallen bar.

They have a library area that is actually nice to hang out in, and the bar is solid. Not a destination bar, but good enough that you might skip going out one night and just drink there. My roommate did exactly that on a rainy Tuesday and said it was perfect.

Price-wise, it is mid-range for Amsterdam. Not budget, not luxury. You are paying for the building, the neighborhood, and the Foodhallen next door. My friend booked through Expedia for about 130 euros a night, which for Oud-West is reasonable.

If you are someone who cares about where you stay beyond just a place to sleep — if design, neighborhood, and food access matter to you — this is the hotel. My roommate wants to move in permanently and I honestly understand.