Volkshotel Amsterdam: From Newsroom to Playground for the Creative Class
Where Amsterdam’s Independent Spirit Finds Its Voice
Type: design hotel, lifestyle & creative hotel
Vibe: lively
DNA: boho chic, eco & sustainability, industrial chic, LHBTIQ+, minimalist, music, rooftop bar, wellness, wheelchair accessible
A Story Rooted in Rebellion
Before it became one of Amsterdam’s most dynamic social hubs, Volkshotel was home to the Volkskrant—one of the Netherlands’ most influential newspapers. Today, that same spirit of curiosity, openness, and independence still fills the walls, but in a new form. The newsroom has given way to an eclectic mix of travelers, artists, entrepreneurs, and free thinkers who gather here to work, play, and connect. It’s not just a hotel—it’s a creative microcosm of the city itself.
Industrial Soul, Creative Heart
True to its roots, Volkshotel embraces an industrial aesthetic that feels raw, real, and alive. Think exposed concrete, steel beams, and retro mid-century furnishings mixed with bold design gestures and local art. The public spaces buzz with an informal energy: laptops click in the co-working areas, impromptu meetings happen over coffee in the lobby, and music spills softly from the speakers at all hours.
The 172 rooms range from budget-friendly cabins to bespoke design suites that could easily double as art installations. Each space tells a different story—some minimalist and functional, others whimsical and provocative. The hotel’s ethos of creativity extends even to the smallest details, from murals painted by local artists to the recycled materials used throughout the interiors.
Where the City Comes to Play
Volkshotel’s beating heart is Canvas, its rooftop restaurant and bar perched high above Amsterdam’s east side. By day, it’s a light-filled space perfect for coffee or brunch with panoramic views of the city; by night, it transforms into one of Amsterdam’s liveliest nightlife spots, with DJs, cocktails, and an atmosphere that perfectly captures the city’s unpretentious cool.
Downstairs, Werkplaats serves as a café by day and creative workspace for locals and travelers alike. There’s even a music studio, creative labs, and meeting spaces designed for collaboration. And for those seeking a little downtime, the Basement spa offers hot tubs, saunas, and even a mini cinema—a welcome dose of calm beneath the energy above.
A Hotel for the People
True to its name—Volkshotel literally means “hotel of the people”—this isn’t an exclusive hideaway but a democratic space open to everyone. Locals mix with guests, artists with business travelers, and the vibe is always one of connection and possibility. The hotel frequently hosts art exhibitions, live music nights, film screenings, and talks that bring together Amsterdam’s creative community.
The DNA Hotels Verdict
Volkshotel Amsterdam is more than a place to sleep—it’s a celebration of creativity, inclusivity, and the city’s ever-evolving cultural pulse. By transforming a historic newspaper office into a vibrant creative playground, it proves that good design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about people, purpose, and play. This is Amsterdam at its most authentic: open, inventive, and impossible not to love.
