From Canals to Cobblestones: An Amsterdam and London Itinerary

Touchdown in Amsterdam, ready to experience this capital city’s vibrant art scene, labyrinth of canals, and splurge-worthy shops. Your journey begins with a seamless arrival experience—as you exit at Schiphol, look out for your driver who will whisk you into the sleek E-Class Sedan for the half-hour drive to the Rosewood Amsterdam.

Immediately upon entering this storied address, take in all the intentional design details from the playful brass doorstoppers (just a handful of the hundreds of pieces of art throughout the hotel by local street artist, Frankey), to the marble sculptures by Dutch artist Casper Braat. An orphanage for over two centuries before becoming the Palace of Justice, this landmark building entered its third chapter as Rosewood Amsterdam in spring 2025—continuing its hospitable legacy of caring for people in an entirely new way.

After a brief property tour that brings the building’s storied past to life, settle into your suite. Soak up the splendor of your canal views before readying yourself to head out for a bite. Less than a ten-minute walk from the hotel, we love Little Bonfire for open-face sandwiches, bitterballen (a local specialty you may be more familiar with calling ‘croquettes’), and a table right on the canal.

Walk off lunch with a late afternoon visit to one of the many museums on offer in Amsterdam. Favorites include Anne Frank House, Moco Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, or the Rijksmuseum to see the grand masters. For dinner, if jetlag is starting to creep in, consider keeping it easy and hanging on property. Eeuwen is a shining example of Dutch culinary excellence, combined with a cozy ambiance, thanks to its herb-scented garden and Chef David Ordóñez‘s brilliant seasonal menu. Get a good night’s rest to kick off what’s going to be a fun-filled week!

Wake up refreshed and ready to explore Amsterdam’s extensive canal system. But first, breakfast (which of course, is always included when staying at a Rosewood Hotels property booked through SmartFlyer). Weather permitting, enjoy your spread in the courtyard; we beg of you not to pass up the chance to try the property’s take on Poffertjes, mini pancakes surrounding a fresh berry compote. We guarantee it won’t be your last time ordering them before you check out.

From breakfast, mosey outside the hotel to see your mode of transportation awaiting your arrival! Today, you’ll be sailing through Amsterdam’s extensive canal system aboard Rosewood Amsterdam’s historical Salon Boat, featuring meticulously crafted Piet Boon-designed interiors. You’re sure to settle in quickly thanks to cozy Maison Deux blankets and a smattering of snacks and drinks, including the hotel’s very own branded kombucha.

On your sailing, you can collaborate with the captain to design your dream day, whether that includes discovering more about the lock system that ensures Amsterdam never floods or weaving through some of the lesser-visited parts of town. If your visit falls over the weekend, we recommend heading out of the city to have a spectacular lunch at Over-Amstel Boerderij. This working farm comes from the same family behind Babylonstoren in South Africa and The Newt in the U.K., and the working garden is filled with just as much charm as it is substance. The kitchen serves dishes made with homemade vegetables and dairy sourced on site for a true farm-to-table experience.

On your way back to town, the truly adventurous can try their hand at paddleboarding, an activity that’ll make you feel like a real local. For the less sporty in your group, there’s wine that awaits at Amstel Boathouse while the others try their hand in the canal! When you’re good and ready, the boat can take you back to Rosewood Amsterdam. For dinner tonight, we recommend NENI Amsterdam for family-style Mediterranean fare served in the former Citröen garage at Stadionplein.

Today is yours (and your SmartFlyer travel advisors’!) to design based on your interests and the seasonality of your visit. If you’re in Amsterdam in the spring, a day trip to see the tulip fields is nearly requisite! Otherwise, we recommend exploring Durgerdam, a quaint former fishing village in the lush countryside just north of Amsterdam. Here, you can meander the area’s many idyllic hamlets by foot or bike and take in the views Rembrandt once sketched.

Upon returning to the property, don’t miss a tour of Rosewood Amsterdam’s remarkable art collection. The journey begins in a space originally intended as the hotel lobby but now home to rotating exhibitions—including works by Amsterdam’s famed street artist, Frankey. Just beside the striking digital screen delineating the exhibit from the hall, a whimsical surprise awaits: a vending machine. Though you won’t find snacks here. Instead, artist Casper Braat has stocked it with limited-edition marble sculptures—each piece one of only nine—available for guests and passersby to purchase for anywhere from 475€-999€. It’s through this lens of playful irreverence that the property signals it doesn’t take itself too seriously; after all, the first piece to sell out was a golden joint.

Beyond these highlights, the hotel’s curation extends throughout the property, showcasing a constantly evolving mix of works from emerging talent poised to become the next Dutch masters. Guests can choose to explore independently via an app or opt for a guided experience with an in-house expert. If you go guided, this one-hour immersion underscores the property’s belief that, much like the building itself— once an orphanage, later the Palace of Justice, and now a Rosewood hotel—art is ever-changing. The tour concludes with a glass of Champagne at The Court, a sparkling toast to culture, creativity, and a sense of place. The bubbly lends itself perfectly as a primer to you heading to The Court for aperitivo (we love the shrimp carpaccio) before going onwards to Advocatuur, where you can order Indian-inspired bites and specialty cocktails in an inspiring setting.

Wake up knowing your final day in Amsterdam is wholly yours to design. If you’re a fan of a morning wellness regime, consider hitting the well-appointed gym before dipping into the Asaya Spa where you can test out Ayurvedic-inspired treatments. We can vouch for the Restore Aromatic Massage being the ideal way to revive yourself for a day full of exploration.

Since you’ve only had one afternoon dedicated to museums, today could be spent hitting a couple more, or getting your fill on shopping. Don’t miss a visit to Dutch brand, Love Stories, for their bi-level canal house location with chic undergarments, The American Book Center for three stories of books, Catwalk Junkie for fun staple pieces, and Paul Warmer for a stunning curation of shoes.

Whether you are craving a stop at a classic Amsterdam café, or prefer a local beer outside, you can’t go wrong. For the latter, head just next door to the hotel for a sit at Café Pieper, the oldest pub in all of the Netherlands since opening in 1665 (and no, that’s not a typo!). Be one with the locals as you sip on an Amstel and nosh on some bitterballen to tide you over before dinner. For your final feast in town, consult with the concierge to find the ideal spot to fit your mood.

This morning, after refueling with a hearty breakfast, it’s time to pack up and say “see you later” to the endearing team you’ve come to cherish at Rosewood Amsterdam. If you’re anything like us, you’re also requesting a cheeky little takeaway box of pastries from that stunning pastry case in the lobby! No, not the ones that look so real you think you could eat them in the glass cases in the hallways (those are actual art!) but the ones you saw getting freshly placed as carefully as if there aren’t edible this morning. These will serve as your little sweet treat in transit.

Hop in the awaiting transfer to your mode of travel of choice. For those who prefer flying, it’s an easy journey to Heathrow. We’re opting for the train, a scenic journey on the Eurostar that’ll have you fully connected to WiFi, crossing through the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and finally onward to the United Kingdom. In five hours, you’ll arrive in London’s St Pancras Station, where The Chancery Rosewood team awaits to help usher you to discover this long-awaited opening in the heart of Mayfair.

As you pull up to the Brutalist building that served as the US Embassy, dating back to the 60s, until the renovation project began just under a decade ago, to convert it into a hotel, you’re sure to be struck by its distinct look. In a neighborhood where all the other architecture is Edwardian or Georgian, this Sir David Chipperfield building is one of a kind, made complete with the eagle made of B-52 bombers, which still sits atop the roof, welcoming visitors. As you enter, you are sure to sense that you’re walking into a very special place that’s continuing to leave its mark on London’s diverse hospitality scene.

Since you spent the majority of your day in transit, this evening may be best spent sinking into your glorious suite. The residential style feel of the accommodations at The Chancery Rosewood ensures that you quite literally feel at home, right from the moment you’re offered a negroni during your in-room check-in. If you’re up for anything beyond room service, there are several outlets to discover without having to leave the hotel, including Tobi Masa, the three Michelin-starred master behind Masa, Bar Masa, and Kappo Masa in New York if you’re craving Japanese. Alternatively, the hotel has its very own outpost of other New York favorite, Carbone.

Whether you’ve been to London so many times you’ve lost track or it’s your first visit, time in Mayfair holds endless possibilities for discoveries. This morning, you’ll sync up with a dynamic local guide to learn about a new side to the neighborhood, including the fair that led to its naming convention and even a scandalous story about an American socialite who used to live directly across from the now hotel.

For lunch, look no further than Chippy Mayfair where tradition meets polish thanks to one of the city’s most beloved takes on fish and chips. The afternoon continues on Savile Row with a moment for those interested in bespoke fashion at clothsurgeon, a menswear-focused boutique where every design is original. While there are a handful of ready-to-wear pieces on the rack, the ultimate guest experience happens when your SmartFlyer travel advisor sets you up with an appointment with Rav, the Creative Director, who will look after the creation of your one-of-a-kind pieces.

If you want to continue shopping in Mayfair, a stop at Selfridges is always a good idea. Be sure to go one floor below ground level to check out what’s new with Smythson, like their collab with Thomas Lélu; for ultimate personalization, be sure to get a monogram.

After taking a leisurely breakfast at Serra, you’ll head off across town to Tate, a museum with a mission to increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of British art from the 16th century to present day. Your knowledgeable guide will weave you through various exhibits, tracing both contemporary and modern art.

Afterward, head back to the hotel for some downtime. Consider a spa treatment at Asaya Spa, or simply cozy up and read on your palatial sofa, pretending you’re in your very own London apartment. Come late afternoon, it’s time to get ready for a night out! But first, we’re heading to Jacqueline for some afternoon tea made into its own art form by famed pâtissier Marius Dufay.

From the hotel, prepare to be whisked to a night at the theatre. London is famous for its musicals and plays in the West End, so you’ll have your pick from a long list of sought-after shows. We aren’t alone in loving Stereophonic, a production that had a record-breaking Broadway run with thirteen Tony nominations; its ability to transport you to a California recording studio in the mid-1970s while sitting in Duke’s Theatre is uncanny. Follow up the show with a nightcap back on property at Eagle Bar to debrief on the performance.

Wake up for your final full day in London, ready to make it your own. If you’d like to start the morning with a workout, the oversized fitness studio is as functional as it is pretty with exclusive TechnoGym equipment, including the brand’s first pilates reformer. Grab a light bite and coffee on the terrace at GSQ, Mayfair’s vibrant delicatessen that just so happens to be in your hotel, before heading out to shop!

While the entire city is packed with charming boutiques and luxury retailers, we’re partial to a handful of British brands that are trickier to find elsewhere. In less than a twenty-minute walk, you can reach Marylebone for your first stop: Daunt Books. An impossibly alluring independent bookshop in an Edwardian building with long oak galleries awash in sunlight, it’s a traveler’s dream to wander its shelves, which are organized by country.

Once you’re able to pull yourself away from the stacks, we’re heading to Belgravia to pop into a few of our favorite British-owned boutiques, starting at With Nothing Underneath. A standout in our Insider’s Guide to London with The London Chatter, we’re hooked on their button-downs. Bop down the street a bit further to check out the world of Anya Hindmarch through her Village on Pont Street, made up of a café and several shops with sustainable leather goods. Head back to the hotel in time to get ready for the reservation the concierge scored you tonight at Gymkhana, widely considered the city’s best Indian fare. Don’t miss the masala margarita.

After a perfectly executed itinerary combining Amsterdam and London, it’s time to head home filled with memories that’ll last a lifetime. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor has booked your flights, so you can rest assured you’re on the most optimal aircraft with the most efficient routing to wherever you’re headed next.