The 5 most unusual places to sleep in Amsterdam

Sleeping in this monumental dockside crane is not for the faint of heart, as the three suites sit 50 metres above the city. It’s worth it, though: there’s a rooftop pool and the rooms are lavishly decorated, with a golden ceiling, a stuffed peacock next to the bed and a blue-and-purple love nest.

In this hotel in the western part of town, a room isn’t just a room, but an art installation. A group of young designers created intimate sleeping spaces. You can sleep inside an old tram car, in a crow’s nest, or behind a secret book case. While the rooms are small, there are enough nooks and crannies in the hotel to relax in.

Once a Universal Studios office and later a library, the historic Saint Rita Church now houses a hybrid hotel-hostel with affordable pods and a restaurant with communal tables. A rich library and music studio that plays into the night make it feel more like a cultural hub than lodging.

Why not sleep in a horse-themed hotel? You’ll find photos of our four-legged friends in practically every room and with good reason: the building used to be the headquarters of the mounted police. If you’re really into horses, visit the nearby Hollandsche Manege on Vondelstraat 140, the oldest riding school in The Netherlands.

This B&B, in the heart of the ever-evolving Bijlmer, consists of four apartments with a total of ten rooms. It is also an art gallery hosting exhibitions, performances, lectures, and art residency programmes. Make sure to scour the neighbourhood for street art and to visit the cosy restaurant Oma Ietje (‘Grandma Ietje’).