THE FACTS ABOUT THE COLLEGE HOTEL

Netherlands Amsterdam

Within months of opening, The College Hotel won the Prix-Villegiature Paris award for 'Best Interior Design of a Hotel in Europe'. The 1894 building is a former school, a role still evident in the wide staircases, high ceilings and converted gymnasium, now a trend-setting restaurant under chef Schilo van Coevorden (previously of Blakes Hotel). All things Dutch are celebrated, most noticeably with a 1.5-metre-high Delft-blue tulip vase in the onyx and Fendi-leather bar, which has become one of the hottest watering holes in town. There are also seven chandeliers in the public areas (the largest is in the ladies' Powder Room and features diamond crystals). The colours used in the restaurant (moss greens and cream) and bar (orange, lavender and brown) are toned down to warm browns in the 40 bedrooms. All the furniture is unique to the hotel, designed by FG Stijl and hand-crafted in Italy. The restaurant tables and chairs have silk tassels and individually bronzed screws details that hark back to 17th-century Dutch craftsmanship. As its name suggests, the hotel is a training ground for graduating-year students at Amsterdam's Hotel School. Which means guests may have to be patient with the staff; the room-rates are set lower than average to compensate for this. Each day the students sculpt hand-made chocolates for your room and bake fresh croissants and brioche for your breakfast. WHEN TO GO Holland is at its most beautiful in the spring, but for citywide revelry visit on Queen's Day, a national holiday celebrating the monarch's birthday on 30 April. ROOM TO BOOK Room 123, a former chemistry lab with a cosy, cushioned reading nook in the window. CONTACT Roelof Hartstraat 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands (00 31 20 571 1511; www.thecollegehotel.nl). COST Doubles from 235 euros