Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam
Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam: A Unique and Creative Place to Stay
Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands. The city is famous for its canals, bicycles, museums, historic buildings, cafés, and lively neighborhoods. With so many hotels available, finding a place that feels different from an ordinary hotel can be exciting. Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam offers exactly that kind of experience.
Located in Amsterdam West, Hotel Not Hotel is designed as a creative and artistic accommodation rather than a traditional hotel. Each room has its own story, theme, and design. Some rooms are hidden behind secret bookcases, while others are inspired by unusual objects and small houses. The result is a playful atmosphere that makes staying at the property feel like part of the Amsterdam adventure.
A Hotel That Is Different
The name Hotel Not Hotel gives an important clue about the concept. This is not a conventional hotel where every room looks similar. Instead, the property treats each room as a small piece of art.
According to the hotel's official website, every room has its own creator, story, and character. Guests can stay behind a secret bookcase, inside a vintage-style tram, or in one of several creatively designed spaces. The hotel itself is arranged more like a large shared living room, with comfortable communal areas located between the individual rooms.
This creative approach makes the hotel particularly interesting for travelers who enjoy art, design, photography, and unusual travel experiences. Instead of simply returning to an ordinary bedroom after sightseeing, guests can continue exploring the hotel's creative environment.
A Convenient Location in Amsterdam West
Hotel Not Hotel is located on Witte de Withstraat in Amsterdam West. The neighborhood offers a more local atmosphere while still providing convenient access to central Amsterdam.
The hotel is close to Kinkerstraat, a busy street with shops and restaurants. The Foodhallen, a popular indoor food destination, is around a ten-minute walk away. Guests can also find cafés and local businesses around De Clercqstraat and the Oud-West neighborhood.
Public transportation is another advantage. The Postjesweg tram stop is only a short distance from the hotel, and direct tram connections can take guests toward Leidseplein in approximately ten minutes. This makes it relatively easy to reach some of Amsterdam's best-known attractions without staying directly in the busiest tourist center.
For travelers arriving through Schiphol Airport, Lelylaan railway station can also be reached by tram, providing a convenient connection toward the airport.
Creative Rooms With Their Own Stories
The rooms are the main attraction at Hotel Not Hotel. Rather than using standard names such as "Deluxe" or "Executive," the property gives many rooms imaginative names that reflect their individual designs.
The hotel's official website currently lists rooms such as the Volkswagen T1, Crisis Free Zone, Tiny Blue House, Blue House Upstairs, and Secret Bookcase rooms. Sizes range from very compact spaces of around 5 square meters to larger rooms of approximately 16 square meters. Some rooms have private bathrooms, while others use shared bathroom facilities.
One of the most memorable options is the Secret Bookcase room. As the name suggests, the entrance is designed to resemble a bookcase, creating a playful sense of discovery.
The Volkswagen T1 room is another unusual choice. Instead of a conventional bedroom, guests can sleep in a space inspired by a classic Volkswagen van. These types of rooms are especially appealing to travelers who want photographs and memories that are different from a standard hotel stay.
Small but Interesting Accommodation
Travelers should understand that creativity is more important than room size at Hotel Not Hotel. Some rooms are very compact, and certain categories have shared bathrooms.
This may be perfectly suitable for visitors who spend most of their day exploring Amsterdam and mainly need a comfortable place to sleep. However, travelers who prefer large bedrooms, extensive storage, or spacious bathrooms may want to carefully check the room description before booking. Current listings show room sizes ranging from approximately 5 to 23 square meters, depending on the category.
The property therefore works best for travelers who value atmosphere and originality over traditional hotel luxury.
A Large Communal Living Space
One of the hotel's most interesting features is its communal area. Instead of a conventional lobby with a reception desk and little else, Hotel Not Hotel creates a shared living-room atmosphere.
The official hotel description explains that the property is designed as one large living room, with comfortable seating areas between the different accommodation spaces. The lobby also has an exhibition-like artistic appearance.
This design encourages guests to spend time outside their rooms. It can be a pleasant place to sit with a drink, meet other travelers, read, or simply relax after walking around Amsterdam.
For solo travelers, this communal atmosphere can be particularly useful because it creates opportunities to enjoy a social environment without having to stay in a traditional hostel.
Food, Drinks, and Breakfast
Hotel Not Hotel also offers convenient food and drink options. The hotel website currently features a self-service area called Craving Station, where guests can choose drinks and snacks. These can be enjoyed in the courtyard, in the room, or taken along for a day exploring Amsterdam.
Breakfast is also available. The hotel describes its breakfast buffet as offering both sweet and savory choices. Current booking information indicates that breakfast is available for an additional fee and can be enjoyed in the bar or delivered as a breakfast basket for guests to eat in their room.
The property has also been associated with Kevin Bacon, a bar and restaurant known for Thai-inspired food and cocktails. Recent guest summaries on Trivago highlight the restaurant and bar as popular features of the hotel.
Facilities for a Comfortable Stay
Although the hotel focuses strongly on design and creativity, it also provides practical facilities. Current accommodation information lists free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, daily housekeeping, a 24-hour reception, parking, a terrace, and facilities for disabled guests.
Bicycle rental is another useful service for visitors who want to experience Amsterdam like a local. Cycling is one of the city's most famous traditions, and exploring the streets by bicycle can be a memorable part of a Dutch vacation.
The hotel also provides heating, soundproofing, and Wi-Fi in rooms. Because room designs vary significantly, travelers should check the specific amenities of their chosen room before booking.
Exploring Amsterdam From the Hotel
The hotel's location makes it possible to explore both local neighborhoods and major attractions. Vondelpark is nearby and provides a pleasant place for walking, cycling, or relaxing outdoors.
Guests can also travel easily toward the Museum Quarter, where attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are located. Leidseplein, one of Amsterdam's lively entertainment areas, is also accessible by tram. Trivago currently lists the Van Gogh Museum at about one mile from the hotel and the Rijksmuseum at roughly 1.1 miles.
The Anne Frank House, Dam Square, and the Royal Palace are farther away but can be reached by public transportation or bicycle.
What Guests Say About the Hotel
Current guest ratings suggest that Hotel Not Hotel offers a generally positive experience, particularly for travelers who appreciate its unusual concept. Booking.com currently lists an overall score of 7.8 out of 10, with the location rated 8.4 and staff receiving a particularly strong 9.1.
Trivago currently gives the property a rating of about 7.9 based on thousands of ratings from major booking platforms. Its review summary highlights the artistic atmosphere, convenient tram connections, friendly staff, and distinctive room designs.
At the same time, the compact size of some rooms and the availability of shared bathrooms mean that the hotel may not suit every traveler. Reading the details of the selected room before booking is therefore important.
Who Should Stay at Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam?
Hotel Not Hotel is a strong option for travelers who want something unusual. Couples looking for a memorable city break may enjoy the creative rooms, while solo travelers can appreciate the communal areas and convenient location.
It can also be attractive to young travelers, design enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone who prefers boutique accommodation with personality. Families may find suitable rooms as well, although they should check the specific size and bathroom arrangements carefully.
Travelers who prioritize large rooms and traditional luxury may prefer a more conventional hotel.
Final Thoughts
Hotel Not Hotel Amsterdam provides an experience that goes beyond ordinary accommodation. Its artistic rooms, secret entrances, shared living areas, creative decorations, and unusual themes make it one of the more distinctive places to stay in Amsterdam.
Its location in Amsterdam West adds another advantage. Guests can enjoy a neighborhood atmosphere while remaining close to public transportation, restaurants, cafés, Vondelpark, museums, and central attractions.
For travelers who want their Amsterdam trip to include a little creativity and surprise, Hotel Not Hotel can be an exciting choice. It may not offer the largest rooms or the traditional luxury experience, but its originality is precisely what makes the property memorable. A stay here can turn a simple visit to Amsterdam into a more colorful and unusual travel experience.
