Why is this your Hidden Treasure?
This is a hidden treasure for a hot summers day when everybody wants to be somewhere nice outside. There are not a lot of places you can go within Amsterdam’s city ring. All the city parks (especially the Vondelpark) and outdoor swimming pools are way too crowded. The only official city beach with water access – Blijburg – is too far and also way too crowded. There are a few ‘city beaches’, like the brand new Pllek on the NDSM terrain, but none of them have access to water. So this is where you want to go: The Schelingwouderpark in Amsterdam Noord, it’s a 15 min bikeride from Amsterdam Central Station. It’s in essence just a stretch of beautiful grassy meadows right on the city’s main water ‘t IJ. Most of it is restricted nature reserve, but the whole waterfront is accessible. Just park your bike or car (for free!) on the Schellingwouderdijk and walk for 200 meters through some grassy fields towards the water. It is so peaceful, green and beautiful, you can’t believe your within the city ring. It is easy to access the water for some swimming, but watershoes (e.g. tevas) are recommended. One important thing: there is no bar, restaurant or anything like that here, so bring all your own food & drinks. The supermarket Landmarkt is 5 minutes away which is great for stacking up – and they’re open every day, also sunday.

What is your Hidden Treasure in Amsterdam?
It must’ve been the end of 2010 when I discovered the hip green oases of Conscious Hotels close to Amsterdam Vondelpark. Their design interior complemented with a beautiful indoor vertical garden immediately drew my attention. (Hope to have one of these in my home one day…). It’s a design hotel but everything they do, they do in an eco friendly way. This however doesn’t mean it’s less cool, I think it’s actually extra cool because everything has been done with some extra attention. One of the greatest features which I already referred to in an earlier answers is their green wall. It’s a true green eye catcher and it’s actually very pleasant for the atmosphere ( a lot more oxygen etc.).I love going to Conscious for a business meeting or an after-dinner-drink. I also advice my foreign friends to stay there.

What is your Hidden Treasure in Amsterdam?
Best kept secret up till now. The ‘buurtboerderij’ feels like an oasis in the city It’s a farmhouse with chickens & sheep, a green valley with flowers. vegetables en healing herbs… run by  volunteers. People who deserve a second chance in life. You can eat or drink, sit in the garden under the beautiful trees, listen or play music, follow everyday classes of yoga and painting or bring your stuff to the give-awayshop which is part of the compound. A great initiative which can use a lot of support.

Please tell us more on your Hidden Treasure in Amsterdam?
The location is unique, placed on a former railway turn-bridge near Amsterdam Centraal. The French and Italian kitchen is delicious and honest.

 The terrace, especially the one upstairs, is gorgeous, and wifi is free (password: cafeopen). For me it’s a great spot, halfway between my home in Noord and the city. The lunch-portion pasta of the day you can order without thinking, it’s always excellent.

What is your Hidden Treasure?
It’s a store in the city center of Amsterdam (Prinsengracht 204). Still a lot of people haven’t heard of it. It’s called A Space Oddity. It’s been there for 22 years and offers all the toys known from tv-series and films. Expect GI Joe, DC Comic Heroes, all the Marvel toys, Transformers, Masters of the Universe, Star Wars, old Disney stuff, and Gundam robots. It’s a crazy experience walking into that store. Back into your own childhood. It’s a very small, intimate place. Still you can be lost in there for hours. Or, if you’re not busy checking all boxes on Bearbricks or the latest Anime, you can listen to the passionate stories of the dude owning the store. It’s a store for those who never grow up old. Stay young. Stay foolish.

Please tell us more on your Hidden Treasure?
It’s not exactly a ‘hidden’ treasure, but it’s a treasure nonetheless: Westergasfabriek. I remember that when I first moved to Amsterdam it was a pretty desolate place and in a relatively short amount of time it has become a hotbed of creativity and culture. The caramel walnut cake served at De Bakkerswinkel is almost as sweet as the place’s interior. The Espressofabriek makes a mean caramel latte. A little further afield are De Buurtboerderij (the neighborhood farm, which was a hidden treasure but has become something of a local hotspot) and Het Woeste Westen, a natural playground where kids of all ages can run wild. Across the street from Westergasfabriek you’ll find the Culinary Werkplaats which is both a design studio and restaurant where they create fantastic food concepts.

Please tell us more on your Hidden Treasure in Amsterdam?
In order to build the Hotel the owners had to purchase five houses on the Damrak & Prins Hendrikkade. Not all buildings which the company wanted to purchase could be acquired. Two houses remained unreachable due to the high asking price. This is why the Hotel was initially built around these two buildings. Now these two buildings are encapsulated by the hotel which gives the guest the opportunity to see these 17th century buildings inside the Hotel.