Hotel Brouwer

• AnnamariaC.
• Reviews: 20

User Rating

Hotel Brower, a true jewel

HotelBrower is a true gem especially for the price..
Is located on the Singel Canal, excellent location, not too far from the Central Station and Dam Square.
We spent 4 days there, the staff was friendly and English speaking. The hotel is not fancy, it has the basic, very clean, it does not have tv, the bathroom is large and immaculate.
Every room face the famous canal.If I were to go back to AMS, I would stay there.

• Opinion of Price: least expensive

Hotel Brouwer Photo: view from the hotel window.

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• pmichetti
• Reviews: 1

User Rating

17th century charm

This is the only place we stayed in Amsterdam. We found it on the Internet and were not disappointed. That being said, it is a 17th century building without a lot of modern amenities. There is no air conditioning so we slept with the windows open. Because of that we were woken up by the occasional late night reveler howling at the moon and had one or two mosquito bites. Personally, I think it was well worth it. There are vanilla hotels everywhere but the charm of hotel Brouwer matched the surroundings perfectly.
Family style hospitality and a nice breakfast.

• Opinion of Price: N/A

Hotel Brouwer Photo: view from the hotel Brouwer

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• MBDVB
• Reviews: 59

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Excellent small hotel

From the website:

History of Hotel Brouwer, "Huis De Swaen"

The building in which the Hotel Brouwer is now situated was comprised of two houses before 1652. In that year, owner Roelof Swaen undertook a big restoration and combined the two houses to create one building known today as the "Huis De Swaen." Mr. Swaen was a sea-captain, adjutant to Admiral Michiel Adrianszoon de Ruijter. He made his offices downstairs, the living quarters on the first floor, and used the top three floors for storage of goods.

At the end of the nineteenth century the building was converted into a simple hotel. Sleeping areas consisted of straw bunks with curtains for dividers and a bowl and pitcher for washing. It was called the "Blue Cross", the name indicating that no alcohol was allowed to be consumed on the premises.

Mr. Brouwer, the grandfather of the present owner and cabinetmaker by trade, came to work in Amsterdam in the early 1900's. He borrowed money from his family, took a mortgage out on the building and purchased it in 1917. He made many improvements, including building solid walls between the rooms and installing running water. Mr. Brouwer rented the corner room on the street level to a wine and liquor dealer, who later lost his license and went out of business in 1921. Mr. Brouwer's brother then took over that space and ran an expediting business out of it, receiving and sending parcel post.

The Hotel was run by the Brouwer family until 1980 when the Fire Department determined the building did not meet fire safety codes. It closed that year and remained closed for 18 years.

The present owner, Mr. Brouwer's grandson, acquired sole ownership of the building and business in 1983 and started extensive renovations in 1995 to restore it to its orignial 17th century splendor. The number of hotel rooms was reduced from 20 to 8, and all were given private bathrooms, a first in the hotel's history. Enjoy 17th century charm while still enjoying modern comforts.

Unique Quality: Recent renovations include a small lift, which is a life saver some days!

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: Historical Travel, Family Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

Hotel Brouwer

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• roamer61
• Reviews: 617

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Nice Historic Hotel

The Brouwer is a very nice located in a converted 17th century canal house. It has just 8 rooms, so it is peaceful. The rooms are simple and the staff very nice and friendly. Breakfast is included in the cost of the room. Highly reccommended.

Unique Quality: All the rooms have a canal view in a nice part of town.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average

Hotel Brouwer

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• ttboy
• Reviews: 11

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Great Hotel on the Singel

The hotel rents eight basic rooms. It is situated on the Singel canal a few streets west of the Damrak. I thought the location was perfect, it is centrally located but not right in the tourist center (less noise!). The price includes a good breakfast as well. The rooms are clean and well appointed. There is a small elevator which can hold about two people or maybe some luggage. The staff was great and answered all of our questions. The floor tilts slightly towards the canal. The floor tilt is kind of weird but you get used to it and it only adds to the hotels 17th. century charm. I stayed here due to the amount of positive reviews. I was not dissapointed. I highly recommend it!

Unique Quality: You get a great view of the Singel canal, especially at night. Again, the Dutch breakfast was a perfect start to a day in Amsterdam.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: School Holidays, Budget Travel, Family Travel

Hotel Brouwer Photo: Outside View

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• pieter_jan_v
• Reviews: 3599

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The former Geheelonthoudershotel Het Blauwe Kruis

This is a former hotel for non-alcoholics. The owner is the third in line and he rebuild the hotel in its old glory.

2007 update: The restauration is completed and the place looks wonderful.

Unique Quality: The historic building dates from 1652.

• Opinion of Price: N/A
• Related to: Historical Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Arts and Culture

Hotel Brouwer Photo: Hotel Brouwer - Spring 2007

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• UkBagLady
• Reviews: 12

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The Jewel on the Singel

I stay at this tiny hotel on the Singel canal every year;indeed I would not stay anywhere else in Amsterdam.
It's a small 8 room hotel which dates from the 17th century and it just reeks with history.
The 8 rooms are each dedicated to a different Dutch artist and each room is spotlessly clean though simply furnished. Each has a well appointed private bathroom and a fantastic view of the Singel canal.
A full and hearty breakfast is included during your stay in the beautiful breakfast room overlooking the Singel.
The owner and the staff at The Brouwer do all they can to ensure that each guest has a comfortable and happy stay.

Unique Quality: The hotel dates from the 17th century and has some very very old Delfts blau tiles. One of the rooms is furnished exactly as it was in the 17th century with a box bed and very heavy old furniture.
But for those who are not good with spiral staircases there is a concession to the 21st century with the small but wecome lift!

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: Budget Travel, Architecture, Backpacking

Hotel Brouwer Photo: Hotel Brouwer

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• Richard_Townend
• Reviews: 21

User Rating

Best small hotel in Amsterdam

The Brouwer is perfect. It's small (only has about 8 rooms), but the decor is quaint and based on the 17th century. It's immaculately clean and well looked after. It is non smoking throughout and is all the better for it.
The location is very good. It's 5 minutes walk from the Centraal Station, and is situated in the middle of the Singel red light area. Don't worry though, it's not a dangerous area and you can avoid it if you wish.
All the rooms face the canal and the views particularly at night are wonderful.
It's officially a 2 star, but quality wise it is better than some of the 4 stars I've stayed in. The only downer is that you cannot use the lift after 11pm and the windy steps are quite an expedition even on the first floor. Not a major problem though.
The owners are friendly and they serve up some wonderful coffee to go with the decent continental breakfast, which incidentally you eat overlooking the canal. The perfect way to start a day!

Unique Quality: The 17th century spendour of the place is quite unique, and in addition to that it's on a slight slant which can feel a bit unusual but you soon get used to it.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average

Hotel Brouwer Photo: Hotel Brouwer on the Singel Canal

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