Hotel Estheréa, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The hotel has a lovely location alongside one of the oldest canals in the heart of the old city centre. It's in the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) district, with great shopping, café and restaurant options. The major sights are within easy walking distance and there's public transport aplenty. Just a five-minute stroll away is sustainable seafood specialist, The Seafood Bar, while Café Gollem is a good example of Amsterdam's cosy 'brown' bars.

By train: the Eurostar goes direct from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the station. Book trains to Amsterdam.

By plane: direct flights from London and Manchester take around 1 hour 15 minutes. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Schiphol airport and a 15-minute walk from central station. Parking costs €55 per day. Book flights to Amsterdam.

There's a sort of 'rich old aunt's house' vibe going on here: lots of highly, colourfully patterned fabrics and wallpapers, chandeliers, fresh flower bouquets and well-chosen antique furniture. Some will find it all too fussy but it is pretty elegant, intimate and charming in its own way.

The hotel has bikes, including electric bikes, available to hire. There's a small gym, and a library room lined with a mishmash of books, that can be used as a meeting room. The staff are friendly and helpful.

• Lounge
• Bar
• Library
• Fitness centre
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are decorated in a wide range of romantic styles. The theme in one could be Delftware white and blue, while another may be mint green. They vary in size, the canal-side ones unsurprisingly most coveted, and are adorned with comfy armchairs or sofas and dressing tables.

Room types: Classic Room, Luxury Room, Canal Room, Family Room, Van Oranje Suite, Pink Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with L'Occitane toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, Nespresso machine, bottled water, TV, free Wi-Fi

There's no restaurant as such but a 24-hour bar that serves a good buffet breakfast and light dishes such as burgers and Dutch hutspot (stew and mash). Cosy, it features wood panelling and white flower wallpaper, a smoky mirrored ceiling with filament bulbs, and a bar displaying a wall of colourful spirit bottles.

Maria's Bar: unique bar and lounge, colourful décor. Serving buffet breakfast and small plates/snacks. Open daily, 24-hour.