Newsletter Signup
I'VE SEEN
THEM ALL
Millions of people. Some paused to examine me as they passed by. How beautiful I was back then, standing tall in the center of Amsterdam. I’ve seen the likes of Joost van den Vondel, Rembrandt, Anne Frank and just recently, Justin Bieber. I’ve seen a lot here in Amsterdam. I’ve witnessed times of great prosperity and times of turmoil. Times which have made the city what it is today: vibrant and multicultural.
OVER THE YEARS I
SILENTLY OBSERVED
You know people do the craziest things when they think no one is watching. Fights were won and lost in front of me, sloppy drunks pissed all over my walls, young men in love pressed their damsels firmly against me as the tourists did their whores. An old man, this Amsterdam, whose red eyes glare out upon streets that never sleep. And although the marks of time are impossible to remove, thankfully cities, quite unlike people, age differently.
But despite his age, my city has become modern. Horse-drawn carts have been replaced by trams, muddy roads were paved and bicycles well yes, we still have those. And through it all I stood. Opposite a convent where nuns prayed with little conviction until they frantically mouthed their last ‘Hail Mary’ and the convent permanently closed its gates. I saw residents come and go. They experienced adventure with me and together we made history. But when my last tenants left, I was left empty. Colder and colder I became...
MY WALLS CRUMBLED
AS I SHIVERED
and while I saw the people pass me by, no one stopped for one last look.
WHEN I THOUGHT, ALL HOPE WAS LOST, A FAMILY APPEARED
“We’re going to help you”, they said. They ripped out all my old junk and left only my bare walls. Although I was nervous, I knew that soon I’d be transformed into...
...a modern, stylish and sophisticated hotel.
I owe a lot to the family. They have given me back my dignity and splendor. My future looks bright and passersby curiously stop in front of me again.
Lees over de familie
ZOEK HET AVONTUUR OP EN ONTDEK MIJN STAD
So, to all those globetrotters and adventurers, soon I will be open and ready to welcome you. With modern rooms, uniquely themed and fitted with luxurious showers. A place to relax and forge new plans for the day ahead. A place from which, to get to know my city, have a drink, a bite to eat, or together dance the night away.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Rain shower
- Flat screen TV
- Nespresso machine
- Tea facilities
- Boxspring mattresses
- Bar fridge
- Music station (iPhone/iPod)
- Safe
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air conditioning/ventilation
- Hair dryer
- Key card
- Private bathroom
- Free travel tips
- Digital guest directory
A HOTEL INTERIOR SHOULD INSPIRE YOU
Behind The Highland House’s interior with interior architect, Kenneth Jaworski from Como Park Studio.
Kenneth Jaworski, originally from the United States, has been working in the interior business for over 30 years. He has developed interior concepts for brands such as Levi’s Vintage, Red Wing Shoes, Filson, Onitsuka Tiger, The Rembrandt Tower, and now, for The Highland House. Kenneth has a clear vision for The Highland House: “When you step inside, it should feel as though you’ve just stepped into a jewellery box. A small world all on its own, filled with interesting objects and treasures. A hotel interior should be intimate and special; it should always be more inspiring than the interior of your home.”
Kenneth describes the style that he created for The Highland House as a combination of classic and eclectic. The clash of colour and texture can be seen in the juxtaposition of white panelling with dark accents, glossy subway tiles and fabrics used on lamps and chairs. “The rooms are quite small and this really works to the hotels advantage” says Kenneth. “When you place the objects in close proximity to one another, you create the feeling like you are in a display cabinet filled with interesting trinkets. That makes it exciting and quirky.”
At the same time, Kenneth strives to achieve a timeless quality in his interiors. Trends, he feels, become annoying when you start seeing them all over the place. The choices Kenneth made in the interior such as the floors, headboards, desks and artwork all have a certain timelessness.
With only 12 rooms, The Highland House is small, and like its name, should more appropriately be referred to as a house, rather than a hotel. Instead of room numbers, the rooms are named and themed. For example, guests can enjoy a night in either ‘The Laundry’, ‘The Wine Cellar’ or ‘The Den’.
Kenneth adds that “The hotel is a reflection of a quirky person who has a lot of life experience”. The Highland House is the personification of this character. A character who has seen a lot and who shares his adventures and stories through his interior. The Highland House hopes to inspire his guests to go and discover Amsterdam and create their own stories and memories to take back home with them.
Images courtesy of Como Park Studio
- Free Wi-Fi
- Rain shower
- Flat screen TV
- Nespresso machine
- Tea facilities
- Boxspring mattresses
- Bar fridge
- Music station (iPhone/iPod)
- Safe
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air conditioning/ventilation
- Hair dryer
- Key card
- Private bathroom
- Free travel tips
- Digital guest directory
Breathing new life into an old building
The Hoogland family creates an intimate and inspiring hotel in the heart of Amsterdam.
It was in 2014 when the house in the Nieuwe Nieuwstraat grabbed the attention of Maxine, Jeffrey and Steffan Hoogland. The brothers and sister, already owning and managing three hotels in the center of Amsterdam, saw this old building as the perfect next addition to the group.
It wasn’t an easy feat, but the family’s eye for detail and commitment to the renovations, has transformed the old 17th century building into a beautiful boutique hotel. An intimate and stylish hotel offering visitors to Amsterdam an inspiring experience.
The Highland House is not only a contemporary boutique hotel; it is also the realization of the family’s vision of the hotel industry. A personal family-style approach offering guests great service and inspiring them to get the most out of the city.
The Highlander Hotel, Hotel Sint Nicolaas and Tourist Inn, are also owned by the family. While each hotel has its own qualities and characteristics, they still all maintain that typical Hoogland-touch.
Read more about the family business on the Highland Group website.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Rain shower
- Flat screen TV
- Nespresso machine
- Tea facilities
- Boxspring mattresses
- Bar fridge
- Music station (iPhone/iPod)
- Safe
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air conditioning/ventilation
- Hair dryer
- Key card
- Private bathroom
- Free travel tips
- Digital guest directory