Our story
Japan and Amsterdam have a very special relationship. It dates back to 1639, when only Dutch merchants were permitted to continue trading in Japan.
Almost 400 years later, this affinity is upheld by Hotel Okura Amsterdam, where Eastern and Western influences are uniquely entwined.
Our blend of Japanese and Dutch culture informs our anticipatory service, culinary excellence, and authentic; quality experiences. A pursuit of perfection drives us, and every detail, every action, is rooted in achieving unsurpassable guest satisfaction.
It is this belief which helps us form a special relationship with each of our guests, so that in another 400 years, we’ll still be welcoming visitors from around the world into our unique hotel.
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History
Hotel Okura Amsterdam was officially opened on the 24September, 1971 by His Royal Highness Prince Claus of the Netherlands. This remarkable event occurred after the prestigious Japanese hotel Chain had chosen Amsterdam for their first location abroad in their international expansion. But how did our 23-storey hotel rise up in the middle of Amsterdam’s residential area you may wonder? For that question let us take you on a trip down memory lane…
In 1969, the signing of major construction contracts signalled the creation of an ambitious new cultural site in Amsterdam’s residential De Pijp district, much to the delight of the Dutch government. A prominent opera building, hotel, and metro station were to be built near the old RAI conference centre to host guests from all around the world. Hotel Okura’s international allure would be the perfect match.
As the opera and hotel were to be linked, designs were drawn by a team of two Dutch and two Japanese architects to highlight the beauty from both cultures. Plans were adjusted to suit the opera’s technical, acoustic, and size requirements, leaving finite space for the hotel. These requirements, together with an underground parking garage and connecting tunnel lifted the hotel’s design up into the sky – culminating in the rise of a remarkable landmark along the Amsterdam skyline.
Modern day
Today, you may notice that the neighbourhood looks a little different than what was once planned back in 1969. Instead of an opera, you will find a small petting zoo, sport centre, youth centre, and quiet retirement home have taken its place. Soon after the contracts were signed, it was discovered that the financial planning for both buildings differed, with the budget for the opera becoming a much-debated subject in the subsequent years.
While the construction of the opera never took off the ground, our hotel was already quickly underway. As the towering hotel stands undisputed within the district, its occupants enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view over the city. From the esteemed Ciel Bleu Restaurant, Twenty Third Bar, Imperial Suite, and the hotel rooms, guests have admired the spectacular sights that Amsterdam has had to offer for years. Not only does Hotel Okura Amsterdam provide wonderful sights for its residents, it also serves as a barometer as well. With coloured LED lights displayed from the roof, Amsterdam’s residents need only look to their own skyline for the latest update on the weather.