The Bilderberg Garden Hotel is a small, 124-room hotel on Dijsselhofplantsoen in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, about a 15-minute walk from the Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark. It suits travellers who want a calm residential base between Museumplein and the Zuidas business district rather than a canal-side address. Dining is now a relaxed Bar-Bistro, because the hotel’s famous De Kersentuin restaurant closed in 2020.
Bilderberg Garden Hotel at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Dijsselhofplantsoen 7, 1077 BJ Amsterdam |
| Neighbourhood | Apollobuurt, Oud-Zuid (Amsterdam-Zuid) |
| Category | Described by I amsterdam as a small-scale five-star hotel; some booking sites list it as four-star |
| Rooms | 124 non-smoking, air-conditioned rooms, including family rooms and connecting rooms |
| Check-in | From 16:00 (luggage storage if you arrive earlier) |
| Check-out | By 12:00; late check-out for a fee, subject to availability |
| Parking | On site, limited spaces, €45 per day |
| Accessibility | Accessible lift and disabled-friendly rooms (book through reception) |
| Phone | +31 20 570 5600 |
| Website | bilderberg.nl |
Location and who it suits
The hotel sits on a leafy side street just off Apollolaan in Oud-Zuid, one of Amsterdam’s most expensive residential districts. Museumplein, home to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum, is within walking distance to the north, as are the Concertgebouw concert hall and the designer shops of P.C. Hooftstraat.
Closer still, the ARTZUID sculpture route runs along Apollolaan, and the larger Hilton Amsterdam on the same avenue is the obvious alternative if you want canal views. To the south, the Zuidas business district, the World Trade Center and the Amsterdam RAI convention centre are about five minutes away by car.
That position makes it a practical choice for three kinds of trips: museum-focused city breaks, business stays around the Zuidas or RAI, and family visits that need more space than a canal-house hotel usually offers. It is less convenient if you want to walk to Dam Square or the canal belt in a few minutes. Amsterdam Centraal is about 4 km away, so expect to use the tram or a bike for evenings in the centre.
Rooms at the Bilderberg Garden Hotel
Every room has air conditioning, a workstation, TV, phone and free Wi-Fi, and standard amenities include a bathrobe, slippers and a minibar. The hotel lists these main categories:
- Deluxe room: one large bed or two separate beds, decorated in warm colours.
- Deluxe room with balcony: the same layout with private outdoor space.
- Executive room: on a private floor reached by a dedicated lift, with a sitting area, large desk, Nespresso machine and a free minibar.
- Family rooms and suites: a separate sleeping area or sofa bed, with connecting rooms also available for larger families.
Children are welcome. Travel cots are provided, extra beds fit in several room types, and children aged 11 and under stay free on overnight stays with breakfast. The hotel treats guests aged 12 and over as adults for pricing.
Dining at the Bar-Bistro
The hotel’s restaurant is now the Bar-Bistro, a cosy dining room serving comfort food with local touches such as Zuyd fries, Amsterdam ossenworst (ox sausage) and Old Amsterdam cheese. There is also a hotel bar and lounge. Non-guests are welcome, and groups of eight or more should book by phone or email.
- Breakfast: Monday to Friday 7:00 to 10:30; Saturday and Sunday 7:30 to 11:00
- Lunch: Monday to Saturday 12:00 to 15:30, with a lunchbox to go available
- Dinner: Monday to Saturday 17:00 to 21:30
- Reservations: +31 20 570 5600 or [email protected]
The kitchen has closed for several weeks in summer (the restaurant page lists 19 July to 29 August), with drinks and bites still served at the bar. Check the official restaurant page if you’re visiting in July or August.
What happened to De Kersentuin?
De Kersentuin opened in the hotel in 1980 and became one of Amsterdam’s best-known restaurants under chef Jon Sistermans and maître d’ Joop Braakhekke, holding a Michelin star from the mid-1980s until 1992. Two-Michelin-star chef Stefan van Sprang relaunched it as signature chef in 2015. The restaurant closed for good in 2020, so older guides that still recommend it are out of date.
Facilities and services
- Bike rental: 10 bikes bookable at reception, €13 for three hours or €18 for a full day. Bicycle stands are at the side of the hotel, but there is no covered shed.
- Massage: bookable at the hotel for an extra charge, subject to availability.
- Fitness: no on-site gym or pool. Reception can arrange access to an external fitness facility for a fee.
- Business help: reception can print and scan documents, and invoices can be issued in a company name.
- Taxis: reception can order one for you.
Meetings and events
The Garden Hotel has several air-conditioned meeting rooms, the largest measuring 57 square metres. Each comes with two flip charts, a projector and screen, and a conference box of supplies. That scale suits board meetings and small workshops; for large conferences, the RAI is a short taxi or tram ride away.
How to get to the Bilderberg Garden Hotel
- From Amsterdam Centraal: walk to the Oostzijde tram stop, take tram 24 towards VU medisch centrum and get off at Gerrit van der Veenstraat. From there it is about a six-minute walk: head up Beethovenstraat, turn left onto Apollolaan, then right onto Dijsselhofplantsoen.
- From Amsterdam Zuid station: about 1.5 km, or roughly a 25-minute walk. A short tram or taxi ride is easier with luggage.
- From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: about 16 km, typically a 15 to 20 minute drive outside rush hour.
- By car: the hotel has a limited number of parking spaces at €45 per day. Nearby street parking costs about €5 per hour or €45 per day.
On foot, the Van Gogh Museum is about 14 minutes away and Vondelpark is within 15 minutes. The Rijksmuseum is a little further, under 2 km, so it makes an easy morning walk before the 9:00 opening slot.
Good to know before you book
- Payment: you pay on arrival, except on the special Value rate, which needs a credit card deposit.
- Cancellation: free until 16:00 on the day of arrival. After that, or for a no-show, the first night or package is charged. This does not apply to the Value rate.
- Extra charges: rates exclude Amsterdam’s 12.5% tourist tax and a service charge of €3.75 per person per night for guests aged 12 and over.
- Guest ratings: the hotel’s own site shows a TrustYou score of 8.4 from more than 3,100 reviews, with location rated 8.8, breakfast 8.2 and service 7.0.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bilderberg Garden Hotel in Amsterdam city centre?
No. It is in Oud-Zuid, about 4 km south of Amsterdam Centraal. Museumplein is within walking distance, and the tram takes roughly 15 to 25 minutes to reach the centre.
Is breakfast included at the Bilderberg Garden Hotel?
Only on rates that include it. Booking direct gives a discount on breakfast, and children aged 11 and under stay free on overnight stays with breakfast. It is served from 7:00 to 10:30 on weekdays and 7:30 to 11:00 at weekends.
Does the Bilderberg Garden Hotel have a pool or gym?
No. There is no pool, sauna or on-site gym. Guests can use an external fitness facility for a fee, and massages can be booked at the hotel subject to availability.
Does the Bilderberg Garden Hotel have an airport shuttle?
There is no scheduled shuttle, but the hotel says a pick-up can be arranged. Schiphol is about 16 km away, roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive.
Are pets allowed at the Bilderberg Garden Hotel?
No. Dogs and other pets are not permitted.
Can you charge an electric car at the Bilderberg Garden Hotel?
The hotel has no charging stations of its own, for cars or e-bikes. Municipal charging points are located at the front and side of the building.
Hotel details were checked against the official Bilderberg website in September 2026. Hours, rates and policies change, so confirm with the hotel before booking.
