From there, head along Czaar Peterstraat – a street where rent is lower to encourage the opening of charming and independent hairdressers, coffee houses, art galleries, gift shops and food joints. It’s home to a female-owned art, design and illustration studio which runs regular workshops in clay and painting. The founder, Alina Tang, is lovely, and if you’re in town at the right time, you should hang around for one of her workshops in collaboration with neighbouring Cocorico Wine. You’ll spend two hours sipping on the merchant’s insanely good orange wine, and painting your very own wine label. It’s meditative and energising in equal measure.
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From the end of Czaar Peterstraat, your walk to the city centre – via the De Gooyer Molen windmill and various parks – should only take around 40 minutes. It’s an easy, flat walk which takes you along the side of the Amstel canal. And not seeing the centre of the city during your stay could be considered a crime.
On day two, though, stay well away. Take one of The Hoxton’s free bikes (they’re very on-brand in blue and orange), and head to the North of the city. It’s lesser-known by tourists – the reason for the majority of its charm – and much of the reason I decided that I could really imagine myself living in Amsterdam. You can head over the graffiti bridge to Sportheldenbuurt, stop for a coffee at Espressofabriek (the pastries are great) and loop back through the quaint Amsterdam-Noord to complete your trip at KANIS. With a ginger tea, and cheese and kimchi toastie.
If you’re more of a runner, Hox has teamed up with renowned, black-owned streetwear brand Patta to offer monthly group running clubs, as well as bespoke running maps for guests looking to pound the streets in their own time. A really nice touch.
My verdict
It’s a total treat to be able to immerse yourself in the neighbourhood which The Hoxton Lloyd Amsterdam is so inspired by, which acts as a nice segway to my parting statement. A stay here is totally worth it, in my opinion, made so much more special by the fact that the staff have gone the extra mile to forge long-lasting relationships with the people and places that surround it.
In the expansive public spaces at The Hoxton Lloyd, you’ll be living alongside excited local people and travellers who prefer to escape the bustle of the city. It’s perfect for returning Amsterdam tourists who want to see the city with a fresh pair of eyes, and the perfect chance to explore the Eastern Docklands neighbourhood before everyone else catches on. If you add only one weekend break to your list in 2024, make it this one.
You can book The Hoxton Lloyd Amsterdam at booking.com, lastminute.com and hotels.com. Find them at: The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam, Oostelijke Handelskade 341019 BN Amsterdam.
After more hotel reviews? Book the best hotels in Mallorca, the best hotels in Paris, the best hotels in Barbados and the best Amalfi Coast hotels. For more from GLAMOUR’s Senior European Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.