When the Palace of Justice abandoned its 1829 headquarters on Prinsengracht 12 years ago, it left a long, lifeless gap in one of Amsterdam’s most atmospheric — and desirable — streets. So Rosewood Hotels, which painstakingly restored and converted the Jan de Greef-designed landmark over a decade, has been something of a saviour. The new property adds 134 guest rooms and residences, a brasserie and bar to the Unesco-listed canal — all designed by the beloved Dutch studio of Studio Piet Boon. And not without making history: Rosewood Amsterdam is the last new hotel development permitted, per new city regulations, in the historic centre.

Boon’s interiors emphasise Dutch craftsmanship and raise the bar even on this highly graceful stretch of canal. He works new bespoke designs into rooms with coffered ceilings, pillars, mouldings, niches and elegantly tiled walls. Drawing inspiration from the Dutch masters and the neighbourhood’s spectacular old museums, he devised a palette of deep wood tones and metallics for the central spaces, with ruby reds and sapphire blues in more intimate corners. As in a museum, eye-catching lighting and bold contemporary art (some 1,000 original works in all) create moments of wonder in the common and private rooms alike.

The five long-stay ‘houses’, called Huis 020 after the city’s area code, emulate the Dutch tradition of large windows, which invite passers-by to ogle the interiors and statement lighting.

One of the property’s most impressive assets is the new courtyard botanical garden, airlifted into place to the plans of local legend Piet Oudolf. Called De Tuin, it incorporates the landscape architect’s preferred mix of flowering trees, tall grasses and floral diversity, with winding paths guests can explore on their own or on immersive guided tours offered by the hotel.

Through the hotel, Rosewood is pushing what it calls ‘purpose-led luxury’ in the form of readings in the Grand Library, once a courtroom, and mixology sessions at its low-lit, legal court-themed bar, Advocatuur. The restaurant, Eeuwen, is led by Michelin laureate David Ordóñez and his passion for developing local, seasonal, ingredient-driven recipes (read: plenty of North Sea shellfish). This interior was designed by the local firm Sagrada. And naturally there is a spa, designed with almost monastic austerity over 560 square metres, with a full-length pool, saunas and fitness centre.

Piet Boon also designed the hotel’s Salon Boat and crowned it with a lion figurehead sculpted by Frankey, an Amsterdam street artist. Guests are welcome to hop on for daily cruises around the famous Canal District — a rite of passage that has become a privilege guests would best make the most of.

www.rosewoodhotels.com/amsterdam

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