Every time I come back to Amsterdam, I’m struck by how effortlessly the Dutch turn hospitality into an art form. Interiors, hotels, restaurants, everything feels balanced. Design is never overwhelming, yet always there in the background. This trip, though, felt a little different.

Just ten kilometers from the city center lies the small village of Durgerdam. What used to be a sailors’ tavern is now De Durgerdam, a boutique hotel that blends history with modern elegance. Arriving here feels like stepping out of time: the quiet, the water, the slower rhythm of the place, it all makes you pause in the best possible way.

The hotel is small and thoughtfully designed. Nothing feels forced, but every detail has been considered: soft lighting, candles, natural textures. It feels less like a hotel and more like being welcomed into someone’s graceful home. At its heart is De Mark, a restaurant that has quickly become a reference point for Dutch cuisine. The menu isn’t about excess, but about clarity. Each dish, from the eggs at breakfast to the filet at dinner, arrives with quiet confidence, pared down to its essence, and leaves a lasting impression.

What really shaped my stay, though, was something simple: the electric bike. Each day I rode between the calm of the village and the energy of the city. It became a little ritual that connected me to Amsterdam in a new way, giving me the freedom to drift through canals, streets, and moments. And every evening, returning to candlelight, the kindness of the staff, and the peaceful glow of De Durgerdam felt like coming home.

De Durgerdam is more than just a place to stay, it’s a place that stays with you. It finds its way into memory, elegant and understated, earning a spot among the most unforgettable stops on my map of Europe.