Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Netherlands

Though the hotel is right by the Red Light District, you'd hardly know it, and its city centre location means that you're surrounded by the beautiful canals and historic buildings Amsterdam is so famous for. Both the Nine Streets shopping district and Centraal Station are a ten-minute walk away. Within a ten-minute walk you'll find many restaurants, bars and shops, plus museums and Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Rembrandt House and much more.

By train: the Eurostar goes direct from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the station. Book trains to Amsterdam.

By plane: flights from London to Schiphol take 1 hour and 5 mins, 1 hour 15 mins from Bristol and 1 hour 20 mins from Manchester. The hotel is 20 mins drive from the airport. Paid parking costs €80 per day. Book flights to Amsterdam.

Originally built in 1578, this property has a rich history. It has been a convent, royal lodge, admiralty building, and city hall. What's left is some grand rooms and secluded courtyards that blend in with the more contemporary elements the hotel has brought. The grandeur of high ceilings and white marble floors mixes with cosier areas, such as a lounge with relaxing brown sofas and easy chairs, jute flooring and deep red and brown walls.

Service is exemplary here, augmented by an attentive concierge service. As well as a choice of restaurants and bars, terraces and the courtyard garden, there's a spa with a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and pool. The gym has Technogym equipment and a Kinesis Training System. As well as bicycles being available, the hotel can provide a horse-drawn carriage and a boat for touring the city.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Swimming pool
• Spa
• Gym
• Garden
• Paid parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The décor is understated and neutral on the whole - such as off-white walls, cream curtains, and mushroom carpeting - which could be a bit plain for some. A few reference past famous guests, such as Winston Churchill and William of Orange.

Room types: Superior Queen/Twin Room, Family Rooms (interconnecting), Classic Single Rooms with Garden View

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, air-conditioning, TV, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi

Bridges is the hotel's fine dining restaurant and boasts views of the canal, and is suitably swish, with dark wooden flooring and décor to set a cosy and genteel atmosphere. There's a less formal garden bistro, Oriole, with Mediterranean dishes, and afternoon tea is served in the Library 'Or' or the garden terrace. There is also a traditional Dutch brown café, The Flying Dutchman.

Bridges: classic, seasonal French cuisine. Mains include trout with white asparagus and Dutch lamb with artichoke. Open Thurs - Sun for lunch and Thurs - Mon for dinner. Mains from €30.