Hotel Jakarta, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The hotel is located on a man-made island in the former eastern Docklands area of Amsterdam, at the spot where ships would leave for Jakarta. It's some way from the historic canal belt and is surrounded by the IJ river, which separates Centraal Station from Amsterdam North, an up-and-coming area that is being redeveloped with galleries and restaurants. A tram stop is a five-minute walk, where you can get to Centraal station in the same time. The historic centre is about 20 minutes by public transport.

By train: the Eurostar goes direct from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal. The hotel is a 6-minute taxi ride 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 25-minute drive from Schiphol airport and a 5-minute drive from central station. Parking costs €35 per day. Book flights to Amsterdam.

The big lobby area that leads to the restaurant is dominated by an indoor tropical garden, which is attractive, however, the restaurant area does have a bit of a cafeteria feel. A very impressive aspect of the design is its eco-friendly attributes, such as underground thermal energy used for heating and cooling, greywater recycling, heat recapturing, considerable use of solar panels, energy storage and much more.

Service is enthusiastic and friendly, and the staff are full of advice. There's a spa, sauna, gym and pool, a restaurant café and cocktail bar.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Garden
• Swimming pool
• Fitness centre
• Spa
• Bike hire
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms vary in size and design, with some having floor-to-ceiling windows, and others that may seem a bit pricey for the size. They are decorated with neutral colours, many have balconies looking over the water and they may have a sofa or chaise longue. There's a desk, and shower rooms and bathrooms are open-plan, although there's a bathroom door.

Room types: Superior Room, Extra Large Superior Room, Junior Suite, Suite, WOW Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, tea and coffee facilities, mini fridge, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi

Café Jakarta restaurant dishes range from authentic Indonesian dishes to fusions and surprising combinations between east and west. Dishes include rendang, nasi goreng and gado gado. On the eighth and ninth floors is the Malabar cocktail bar. Westers Bakery offers freshly baked bread and patisserie.

Café Jakarta: relaxed restaurant. Indonesian fusion cuisine. Dishes include Bento box, rendang and satay. All-day menu. Open daily.