The Highlander Hotel Amsterdam – Bold, Colourful Character in the Heart of the City
The Highlander Hotel is a vibrant, design-forward boutique property nestled in the very centre of Amsterdam, a stone’s throw from Dam Square and the city’s most celebrated canals. Born from a family dream and brought to life by an award-winning interior designer, the Highlander is not simply a place to sleep — it is a declaration of colour, creativity, and Amsterdam’s famously plural spirit. A mishmash of tartans, bold hues, and bespoke artwork makes this one of the Dutch capital’s most visually distinctive places to stay.
Location
Situated on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, the Highlander enjoys a location that is almost unreasonably convenient. Dam Square is a three-minute walk away, Amsterdam Centraal is reachable in ten minutes on foot, and a tram stop sits directly in front of the building. The Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, the canal belt, and the city’s seemingly endless parade of cafés, boutiques, comedy clubs, and terraces are all within easy reach. For those arriving by car, parking packages are available nearby. A VIP private pick-up and return service is offered for guests who prefer a more seamless arrival.
The Vision
The Highlander is a family venture, conceived and built by the second generation of the Hoogland family — Jeffrey, Maxine, and Steffan — who grew up in Amsterdam and developed a love of hospitality early in life. The hotel’s name is a playful double meaning: the English translation of the family surname, and a nod to the Scottish Highlands, a reference that runs quietly but unmistakably through the design. In 2018, after years of research, planning, and passion, the family opened their doors and invited Amsterdam to step inside.
Interior designer Will Erens of Too Many Agencies was commissioned to translate the family’s vision into physical space. The result is bold and unapologetic: each floor is dressed in its own colour and tartan pattern, and every room is individually designed from floor to ceiling. From tiles to artwork, no two rooms are alike.
The Rooms
The Highlander’s rooms are compact in the tradition of Amsterdam’s historic buildings, but what they lack in square footage they more than compensate for in character. King-size beds, rain showers generously described as big enough for a jig in your bare bahoochie, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with over a thousand channels, Chromecast, Bluetooth speakers, a minibar, and a Suitepad digital tablet are standard across the room types.
Scottish Cottage — The entry-level room at 14m², the Scottish Cottage is cosy without apology. Stylishly designed and thoughtfully appointed, it suits solo travellers or couples who intend to spend most of their time out in the city.
Kilt Townhouse — At 18m², the Kilt Townhouse steps up with a proper sitting area and views of either the courtyard or street. Awash in colour, it serves as an ideal home base for a few days of Amsterdam exploration.
Highland Mansion — Running between 23 and 25m², the Highland Mansion is the hotel’s most spacious standard room, with street views and a luxurious feel that justifies its name. Fit for royalty, as the hotel puts it.
Malcolm 3 — The hotel’s only triple room, the Malcolm 3 is 25m² and inspired by the Great Chief of Scotland. Designed to sleep three without sacrificing the room’s bold aesthetic or sense of space, it is a genuinely rare find for groups in central Amsterdam.
Facilities & Services
The Highlander punches well above its boutique size when it comes to amenities. The hotel operates a 24/7 reception and bar, offers daily housekeeping, turndown service, breakfast in bed, a wake-up service, concierge assistance, and a ticket booking service for city attractions. Late check-out is available on request, and luggage storage is offered for guests arriving early or checking out before their day is done. The hotel carries a Green Key Gold sustainability certification and is fully non-smoking.
Bar & Lobby
The lobby bar is a social hub, open around the clock and stocked with soft drinks, beers, and wines alongside bar snacks. Every Friday between 16:00 and 18:00, guests are invited to enjoy complimentary wine and Dutch cheese — a generous and convivial touch that guests consistently single out in reviews. It is exactly the kind of gesture that transforms a hotel stay into something a little more memorable.
Breakfast
The breakfast bar runs every morning from 07:00 to 10:30, offering a spread that covers both continental and full English options, with gluten-free choices available. Fresh juices, coffee, granola, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage feature among the offerings. Breakfast in bed is available for those who prefer to start the day horizontally.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
✔ Exceptional central location — three minutes to Dam Square, ten to Centraal Station
✔ One-of-a-kind interior design: bold, colourful, and entirely distinctive
✔ No two rooms alike — individually designed from tiles to artwork
✔ King-size beds throughout
✔ Comprehensive in-room amenities including Bluetooth speakers, Chromecast, and digital tablet
✔ 24/7 reception and bar
✔ Complimentary Friday wine and cheese hour
✔ Breakfast in bed available
✔ Warm, knowledgeable, and personalized staff
✔ Lift on-site
✔ Green Key Gold certified
Cons:
✘ Rooms are genuinely small — particularly the Scottish Cottage and bathrooms
✘ Limited storage and surface space in rooms
✘ Street-facing rooms can be noisy (earplugs provided)
✘ Some guests have noted inconsistency in cleanliness in quieter areas
✘ Air conditioning not universally confirmed across all room types in older reviews
Overall
The Highlander Hotel is the right choice for travellers who want their Amsterdam stay to feel like Amsterdam — lively, creative, a little irreverent, and full of personality. It is not a hotel for those who require large rooms, hushed corridors, or neutral walls. It is emphatically a hotel for those who want to arrive somewhere, not just somewhere to sleep. The family behind it built it with genuine affection, the staff run it with genuine warmth, and the designer dressed it with genuine flair. For a centrally located boutique hotel that is as memorable as the city it sits in, the Highlander delivers with style.