Made up of three converted merchants’ houses knocked into one big boutique beauty, Canal House comprises 23 individually designed rooms that exude old-world charm and contemporary glamour. Our personal favourite is a room in the appropriately-named ‘Best’ category; creature comforts abound inside, with a free-standing bath and king-sized bed that looks out over the rooftops and across the Keizersgracht canal. The inspiring interiors are courtesy of locally-based design firm Concrete, which has opted for a monochromatic colour scheme of blacks, purples, greys and coppers for a sexy, melodramatic look. The crowning glory of the hotel, however, is an impressive dining room with towering ceilings, oversized windows and room for forty discerning diners at its super-smart tables. So forget what you think you know about accommodation in Amsterdam, and check out Canal House; you certainly won’t find any booze-fuelled stags or hens staggering about here.