A new hotel in Amsterdam, Netherlands, offers keyless room entry and what it claims is the city's first rooftop pool. W Amsterdam, part of the trendy W Hotels chain, also offers "Whatever/Whenever service." It promises to try and deliver whatever guests request to their room – as long as it's legal.
W Hotels is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which recently announced that is was to open a St. Regis hotel (one of its other brands) with one of the world's highest infinity pools at the Palm Tower, Dubai.
Designed by Office WINHOV and Baranowitz Kronenberg Architects, W Amsterdam is located close to Dam Square and the Royal Palace. It houses 238 rooms across two of the city's "iconic" old buildings.
One hundred and seventy-two of the guest rooms are in a former telephone exchange building, now known to guests as "Exchange," and a further 66 rooms in the former home of KAS Bank, with that building now known to guests as "Bank." The hotel has a total of 21 suites, three "WOW suites" and two lavish "Extreme WOW suites."
The Extreme WOW suite is the brand's take on a Presidential suite. Occupants are afforded 183 sq m (1,970 sq ft) of floor space, an open plan bathroom with a hot tub, a walk-in wardrobe and a large round bed with views of the nearby Royal Palace.
All guests arrive at the rooftop W Lounge, which is described as the W Hotel's "reinterpretation of the traditional hotel lobby." It has four outdoor terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows, with 360-degree views over the city.
The hotel's rooftop "Wet Deck" is said to boast the city's first rooftop pool. Guests can take in views of the surrounding area from the 22-m (72-ft) pool, which is heated for winter use. Guests can enjoy cocktails from the W Lounge while on the Wet Deck and there are two restaurants from which to choose as well.
W's SPG Keyless system, which was launched last year, is aimed at making guests' stays easier by letting them use their smartphones or wearable devices as a room key. It is hoped the system will also help to expedite the check-in process in future by having it take place on a mobile app.
Elsewhere, guests can benefit from a fitness centre, a spa located amid the original vaults of the Bank building, a 700 sq m (7,535 sq ft) exhibition gallery and a creative incubator for design, fashion and music. There are also meeting and event spaces.
W Amsterdam opened in Octobers. Rooms start from €350 (US$382) per night.
Source: W Amsterdam
