Canal Huis 58, Amsterdam - hotel review: Dutch masterclass in luxurious living

​Canal Huis 58 is an elegant new rental in Amsterdam's heart, with space and frills galore. Gemma Price dipped her toe in

One of the four bedrooms

Set at the convergence of the Brouwersgracht (Brewer's Canal) and Herengracht (Gentleman's Canal) in Amsterdam, this four-bedroom, exclusive-use canal house offers something between a luxury villa rental and a hotel.

The company behind Canal Huis 58, Eleven Experience, specialises in establishing escapes in off-the-beaten-track destinations – its properties include a chalet in an ancient farming village on the French-Italian border and a lodge on the banks of a wild Patagonian river – but the Amsterdam property, which opened this year, marks the first foray into urban hospitality.

The rooms

You'd be hard-pushed to find accommodations that make you feel more immersed in Amsterdam life: most rooms – the ground floor dining room, first-floor bar lounge and two bedrooms above – overlook canal traffic and houseboats as bikes whizz by on cobbled streets and bridges.

The bar

The layout of the original house has been largely retained, precariously steep ladder-like staircases and all, while decor comes courtesy of Blake Pike (the wife of Eleven owner Chad Pike) and her company, No12 Interiors. Original wooden beams and Delft tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms are complemented by bespoke and antique furnishings, sourced from Dutch dealers and markets across Europe.

Framed pictures of native birds, from a local art and antique print dealer, hang in the dining room (which backs on to the kitchen), while the couches, cosy seating nooks and bar stools in the first-floor bar have been arranged to capitalise on the canal view.

Modern en-suite bathrooms feature a steam shower, and each room has a unique, homely character.

The bunk room, the only one to offer four double beds instead of one king – has a luxe dorm feel, perfect for close friends and youngsters – while the master suite takes up the entire top floor and includes an antique standalone wardrobe that had to be winched up the front of the property, in keeping with Dutch merchant tradition. The cosy basement suite features discreet, ceiling-level windows through which you can watch the foot traffic.

Out and about

The property's location in the heart of the city is ideal for exploring the Anne Frank House (annefrank.org), the cool Jordaan neighbourhood, and indeed most of the city's sites. Eleven's experienced concierge, based nearby and contactable by phone, can organise everything from complimentary private canal tours on Eleven's boat to graffiti lessons from local street artists (all legal, of course).

They can also tee up a tour of the 17th-century Six family residence (00 31 20 624 7777; nl.collectiesix.nl), where you can walk among centuries of antiques and curiosities – including two Rembrandts.

Alternatively, book a private dinner cruise aboard the polished wooden salon boat Valentijn (00 31 20 774 2764; cruisewithus.nl), passing by vibrant bars and restaurants, the city's infamous red lights and illuminated residential windows. Built in 1913, it's been restored to its former gleaming brass and red plush cushioned glory.

The food and drink

The fridge and well-stocked pantry are filled with your preferred snacks and treats – prior to arrival, Eleven sends you a request form so that they can buy-in your favourites. This and every bottle of wine and liquor you can conjure up from fridges and cupboards is included in the nightly price.

Though, of course guests can use the kitchen, the rate also includes a private chef, who prepares breakfast. Every morning, I awoke to slather over the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sight of our chef, Martjn, laying a table with local cheeses and thinly sliced salami, feta and tomato salad, smoked and cured fish, choc-chip scones, chocolate and coconut cake, an array of artisanal breads, pastries and conserves.

Should you have room for dinner, there are plenty of options. At Rijks (00 31 20 674 7555; rijksrestaurant.nl) – a sleek contemporary place beneath the Rijksmuseum – you can enjoy dishes such as roasted langoustine tail with curry cream, trout eggs and quinoa, and roasted beef tenderloin tartare with chopped egg.

Wolf Atelier (00 31 20 344 6428; wolfatelier.nl) is a cool new pop-up in a container above the city, where Chef Michael Wolf creates innovative new dishes using fresh ingredients every day. On the day I visited, the menu included moreish, lightly seared tuna tartare and melt-in-the-mouth filet mignon.

The essentials

Canal Huis 58, 58 Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands (00 31 6 3814 8022; elevenexperience.com/canal-huis-58). From €5,000 (£3,635) a night, with breakfast; sleeps 14.