Zoku Amsterdam ★★★★

The Zoku Amsterdam ****, like its home city, is all about innovation. It takes the norms of your average hotel and turns them on their head in impeccable style – and I couldn’t be happier that they have. The hotel prides itself on being both a short and a long term residence for global nomads, creating a homely atmosphere that you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Even customer service here (also known as Sidekicks) take on a whole new level of friendliness, giving you a hand with even the smallest details to make the Zoku Amsterdam **** your international home-from-home.

The design of my Loft XL room was, as with everything else, a wonderfully unpredictable surprise. Where most hotel rooms place the bed in pride of place in the middle of the room, here the oak kitchen table takes centre stage to transform this bright, spacious pad into an ultra-sociable space. Meanwhile your deliciously cosy king size bed sits on an upper level, and is easily hidden away when you’re entertaining your new Amsterdam friends with a dinner party or even just some top quality beers after a long day exploring.

And speaking of entertaining – you’re in safe hands here. The open plan design of the Living Kitchen, the Living Room and the Café-bar buzzes with chatter and energy, to create what is a truly authentic community atmosphere. Locals are also drawn to the Zoku Amsterdam **** to soak up its effervescent international vibe, collaborate on a project, or even share one of their legendary cheese plates in the organic Living Kitchen with friends. The saying goes that “there’s no place like home” – for me there’s no place like the Zoku Amsterdam ****.