Destination Europe: Soho House Amsterdam
A map of Amsterdam is a delight for the geometrically inclined. Sure, it may not have the rigorous grid-like formation of Manhattan (or even Milton Keyes), but its concentric canals nonetheless convey a certain predictability, as geometry tends to do – that unassailable sense of order.
So, there’s something pleasingly paradoxical about the chaos that can be found amid this order. Amsterdam is a city that seems to have its social compass permanently set to permissive, and as a result, it can incite a kind of deranged, ‘toddler hopped up on E numbers’ energy in its visitors. This is not necessarily a place where moderation is a firmly held watchword.
However, as with all things (for better or worse), it’s in the pursuit of balance that we find fulfilment, and it’s this mentality that informs Soho House Amsterdam. So, whether your intentions are virtuous or erring slightly on the nefarious side, the club mirrors its hometown in its willingness to provide – and it’s with the arrival of the warmer weather that both the city and the House really come into their own.
Summer kicks off in earnest in June with the travelling theatre festival De Parade at Martin Luther King Park. When it comes to music festivals, Milkshake, Dekmantel Lowlands, North Sea Jazz, and Best Kept Secret are the events that really move the needle. And at the end of July, the city welcomes Pride for a week of dance parties, film screenings, sporting events, debates, and exhibitions, culminating in the world-renowned Canal Parade.
With all that in mind (i.e. with a break in the city now seeming basically mandatory), read on for everything you need to know about Soho House Amsterdam.
The architecture and interiors
Soho House Amsterdam is located in The Bungehuis, which was originally built in the 1930s as a trading office, before serving as the humanities building for the University of Amsterdam in the 1970s. The main inspiration for the House was this rich history, in particular its beautiful architecture and the surrounding neighbourhood.
The team did its utmost to make the House feel as Dutch as possible. The interior’s original wooden and marble panelling, Delft tiles and stained-glass windows were all lovingly restored. And new additions were commissioned from Dutch firms, such as bespoke light fixtures by Jan Best, landscaping by The Wunderkammer, and a Studio Drift installation. The eclectic choice of mid-century modern and deco furniture was inspired by the history of the 1930s, too.
The bedrooms
Soho House Amsterdam has 79 bedrooms, ranging in size from Tiny to Extra Large. Each of the rooms is designed with a mix of antique pieces, and specially crafted furniture and rugs. The bed throws and fabrics are inspired by the original windows in the grand Bungehuis staircase, with tables, poufs and sofas all designed by our in-House team.
The first-floor bedrooms are primarily Monumental Rooms, in Big, Large and Extra Large sizes, with a listed corridor clad in limestone, tiles that have been meticulously restored by a specialist team, original Art Deco lighting and wall panelling, and mosaic tiled floors. The House signature freestanding copper bathtubs also feature in our larger bedrooms.
The art collections
Curated by our Global Art Director, Kate Bryan, the Soho House Amsterdam art collection is made up of works by local artists, showcasing a contemporary take on 15th and 16th-century works. To honour the history of Dutch art, the collection also features a self-portrait wall in homage to Rembrandt and Van Gogh (acknowledged as two of the great self-portraitists) and landscape works referencing the great golden age of Dutch oil painters, as well as a series of still life pieces in Cecconi’s.
The food and drink
Serving handmade pasta, seafood and dishes from Northern Italy, Cecconi’s features a dining area that overlooks the canal, a comfortable lounge area, a locally sourced wine tasting table, and a large curved bar. The space also has a retractable glass roof, with plants woven into the ceiling, specially made pendant lights, and the signature Cecconi’s marble striped floor in deep red.
The House Kitchen, located on the fifth floor, is your destination for all-day food and drink – no visit is complete without at least one serving of Christopher Thompson’s not-to-be-missed prawn toast.
Soho Health Club
Even when you’re working out, you never forget where you are, thanks to Soho Health Club’s extensive views over the city’s canals. Offering a gym, HIIT and yoga studios, a climbing wall, sauna and steam room, as well as Cowshed treatment rooms and mani/ pedi stations, our health and wellness area is available when you want to let off some steam, or are in search of a moment of calm.
To see the full story, click here.
