Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.
The Unbound is a unique boutique hotel located on a private estate in West Amsterdam offering a breath of fresh air and much-needed respite from the more typical Amsterdam experience.
Ever since my stay at this peaceful property, I haven’t been able to get it off my mind. The Unbound is a place where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam and kick your feet up. Everything from the designer accommodations to the unusual amenities was thoughtfully conceived for you to check in and prioritize your well-being.
Don’t think staying at the Unbound is any less comfortable than staying at a traditional hotel. Not only does the nature-first property serves mouthwatering food and delectable wines that you’ll be thinking about long after you leave, but there is a spacious (and comfortable rooms), quiet spaces to explore, an inviting beach and more…
So, if you are considering a stay at The Unbound Amsterdam, you should do it! In this review, I’m going to walk you through all the goodness it has to offer.
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Location, Location, Location
At The Unbound, you get the best of both worlds. The property is tucked away in the solitary green gardens on the edge of Amsterdam but is just a short bus or tram trip from the action downtown. You’ll get to start and end each day in the peace and quiet of nature. When you’re ready to hit the main attractions, a 20-minute drive is the only thing that stands between you and the city center. You could also rent a bike and head in on two wheels – just as the Dutch would do!
The Unbound property itself sits on an 11-acre wild garden. Hundreds of trees, plants, and bushes create a little green oasis that makes it impossible not to feel refreshed. Oh! I almost forgot. There’s also a 2000m2 recreational pond perfect for swimming in the warmer months and an organic vegetable and fruit garden used to create amazing seasonal and uncompromising food at the onsite restaurant.
The paths and walkways alone make a visit to The Unbound worthwhile, and once you step into your understated accommodation, you’ll know you made the right hotel choice.
Accommodations
The Unbound Amsterdam certainly takes boutique accommodations to a whole new level. On the estate, there are 34 cabins and suites separated into 7 unique styles. You’ll have the option to book a cozy suite for you and one other person or book a private unit that can fit the whole gang – perfect for large groups who want to stay all together.
Each style option has its own allure. For example, the Rooftop Suite is the perfect sized place for two people. It has a private deck and roof terrace where you can spend each morning sipping a coffee as the day rolls in – sounds nice, right? It is.
All cabins are equipped with fully stocked mini-bars, and feature bespoke interiors, loads of natural light, luxurious bedding, and a high-pressure shower you will never want to leave.
I personally recommend staying in the Hideout – one of the cabin options. This unit is right next to the pond and far enough away from other units to feel like you have complete and utter privacy. Inside, the cabin is compact but spacious enough for two people to spread out. The bedroom had a COCO-MAT queen bed. For anyone who doesn’t know, that’s a high-quality mattress – you’ll sleep well in it. My favorite part of the Hideout unit was the outside deck that could be accessed through the sliding doors. It was the perfect way to start each morning.
Remember how I said that everything at the Unbound is thoughtfully designed? Well, each building on the property was constructed slightly off the ground to minimize its impact on the nature below – pretty thoughtful, huh? The Unbound structures are also made up of sustainable European wood that is built to last – which is good as this is a property we think will only get better with age, as it weathers and the expansive wildflower meadows and trees continue to grow.
Food And Drinks
Okay, I’ll admit it. I was a bit skeptical about the food situation at The Unbound. Most other hotels with private units usually make their guests fend for themselves -which could be an issue this far from the city. However when it comes to food and drinks, I can happily report that The Unbound will not leave you high and dry – or hungry. In fact, the onsite restaurant is a destination in and of itself and many Dutch will be familiar with it and make the trip out themselves to breathe and dine in a sublimely relaxing environment.
There are two locations on the estate property where you can have a drink, pick up snacks, or have a nice sit-down dinner: The Lobby and The Unbound Restaurant.
The Lobby
Here you’ll find a great spot to grab a morning coffee or an end-of-day nightcap. There’s an extensive wine menu available. Be sure to try some of the local, organic options from the Netherlands. The hyper-local experience here is all part of the feel – and oh-so-sustainable.
If you woke up late, don’t worry! You can order from the late breakfast and brunch menu of classic and seasonal dishes. Think buttermilk pancakes with blueberries, edible flowers and maple syrup or homemade granola with coconut yogurt and citrus.
The Lobby opens at 8am and closes at 11pm on weekdays and at 12am on weekends (Friday and Saturday), which was a flexibility I really appreciated as I never felt like I needed to rush to make it before close. As I said, the Unbound is all about relaxing…
The Unbound Restaurant
The Unbound restaurant serves up unforgettable dishes from breakfast till dinner time, with many that changes with the season.
During the day, you can soak in the naturally lit ambiance while chowing down a plate of food created with ingredients from the property’s organic garden. In fact, you can dine at a table that overlooks where your meal came from – that’s a nice feeling. The entire menu is perfectly conceived but if you visit over the summer I can recommend the Shakshuka “Cocotte” or the burrata with citrus and a forest of herbs
Again, the Unbound Restaurant has very liberal opening hours being opens at 8:30am and closes at 9pm on weekdays and 10pm on weekends (Friday and Saturday).
If you feel like having dinner at home, you can order your food at the restaurant for pick up or delivery. All you have to do is scan the QR code in your cabin or suite, place an order, and wait for it to be delivered to your door – easy as that. After all, sometimes you just feel like a night in (especially after time in Amsterdam Central) – and that is OK too!
Other Amenities
On the property, there is the Spa Barn where you can book a private session for a group of four people to relax in the sauna, steam room, tea facilities, and private terrace. There are three timeslots to choose from, and it costs €75 for a 90-minute session.
If you don’t want to spend the money on the Spa Barn, head down to the free-to-use barrel Sauna! You’ll still need to make a reservation but this wonderful contraption is floating over the lake and even has a plunge pool right outside for you to call off. A truly wonderful experience that competes with the best saunas in Helsinki and Finland.
Last but not least, an on-site hair and beauty stylist can be booked on Wednesdays and Sundays. From haircuts to facial yoga, you’ll feel like a brand-new person. And if you are traveling, it’s a fun way to tick some of those day-to-day mundane needs off!
The Unbound Amsterdam Review: Final Thoughts
Staying at The Unbound Amsterdam is an incredibly unique, refined and nature experience. The thoughtfulness of every detail and sustainable qualities of the property will hopefully inspire other hotels to follow suit. Being so close to the city center yet so far away from the downtown chaos is the perfect way to experience Amsterdam.
So, when planning your trip, make sure that The Unbound is a part of it!
