The Waldorf Astoria’s really close

With the super deluxe Waldorf Astoria on the Herengracht 542 which opens on 1 May, Amsterdam’s going to gain a top hotel. You’d think it’s a guaranteed success with Jonnie and Therese Boer van de Libreije responsible for the restaurant, and Jan Taminiau for the staff’s outfits.

And just like all-time favourites like the Ritz, George V, and the Beverly Hills, Waldorf has a magical meaning. Absolute luxury and getting spoiled, hobbies of the rich and famous.

Oh I like it so much. I’d rather spend two nights at a top hotel than a week at a soso three star hotel. It’s simple: when I spend the nice elsewhere, I’d like spend it in decadence: I refuse to carry around my luggage, I want curtains that open with a push of the botton, and a huge plasma screen with free films and surround sound, and a shower head like a tropical rainforest. Just to name a few things…

The average person researches what kind of culture there’s to see when going to another city or exotic resort. Not me! I research the local hotels. I like stylish hotel bars (it’s often times easier to have a drink at the hotelbar when you’re female and travelling alone), I like surprising architecture, tastefully decorated interiors, and I enjoy the smell of richly displayed bouquets. The Conservatorium Hotel, the Amstel, Dylan, and the new Waldorf Astoria, a spoiled traveller really can’t skip Amsterdam anymore.

Peggy’s all-time favourites:
The Ritz in Paris
The Beverly Hills in LA
George V in Paris
Four Seasons Hong Kong
Savoy in London
The Carlyle in New York
Burj Al Arab in Dubai

PS. A salad that contains celery, apple, raisins, walnuts, lemon juice, and some mayonnaise was first prepared at the Waldorf Astoria in New York in 1893, and these days, travels under the name of a Waldorf salad.