nhow Amsterdam RAI is a 650-room, four-star design hotel on Europaboulevard in Amsterdam-Zuid, right next to the RAI Amsterdam convention centre. It suits trade-fair visitors, event-goers and design-minded travellers who want fast metro and train links rather than a canal-house setting. The tower was designed by OMA, the office of Rem Koolhaas, and its top floor holds Selva, a Latin American restaurant with a 360-degree view over the city.
nhow Amsterdam RAI at a glance
| Address | Europaboulevard 2b, 1078 RV Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood | Amsterdam-Zuid, between RAI Amsterdam and the Zuidas business district |
| Size | 650 rooms in a 91-metre tower, the largest newly built hotel in the Benelux |
| Architect | OMA, with partner Reinier de Graaf leading the design |
| Operator | NH Hotel Group (Minor Hotels), under its nhow design brand |
| Top-floor dining | Selva Restaurant and Sonora Bar on the 24th floor |
| Check-in / check-out | 15:00 / 12:00 |
| Parking | Indoor on-site parking, 42 euros per day |
| Nearest stations | Station RAI (metro 50 and 51, tram 4, NS trains) about 6 to 8 minutes on foot; Europaplein (metro 52) about 7 minutes |
| Recognition | One MICHELIN Key (2025) and Green Key certification |
| Guest rating | 4 out of 5 on Tripadvisor from 1,126 reviews (September 2026) |
Key facts from NH Hotels, nhow, the MICHELIN Guide and Tripadvisor. Prices and times can change; confirm before booking.
Who this hotel suits
The hotel works best when your plans centre on the south of the city. It is a short walk to RAI Amsterdam for conferences, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon expo and trade fairs such as IBC, and the Zuidas offices are close by. Metro line 52 runs from nearby Europaplein straight to Amsterdam Centraal, so the old centre is still easy to reach; NH puts it about 10 minutes away.
It is less suited to travellers who want to step out of the door onto a canal. The area around the RAI is modern and business-focused, and with 650 rooms the hotel feels busy when a large event is on. If you want a smaller, quieter base in the same part of town, compare it with Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam Zuidas or browse the wider Amsterdam where-to-stay guide.
Architecture and room design
OMA built the tower from three triangular volumes stacked on top of each other, each one rotated slightly against the others. The design took its cue from Het Signaal, the tall advertising column that has long marked the RAI site. The same firm designed nhow Rotterdam, which opened in De Rotterdam in 2014. Inside the Amsterdam tower, the look swings the other way: bright colours, bold patterns and art throughout the public spaces.
Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows. Because the building’s corners point in six directions (north, north-west, east, south, south-west and south-east), each room’s decor reflects the direction it faces, with nods to Amsterdam’s Golden Age trading history. Standard rooms include:
- Rain shower and professional hairdryer
- Espresso machine with free coffee, plus a minibar
- Flat-screen TV, digital safe and air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi
- Room service from 07:00 to 23:00
Larger suites sit on the upper floors, and the junior suites include a Jacuzzi. The whole hotel is non-smoking.
Selva, Sonora Bar and breakfast
The main draw for many visitors is the 24th floor. Selva Restaurant and Sonora Bar take their theme from the Amazon rainforest, with wooden structures and plenty of greenery set against glass walls and a 360-degree view of Amsterdam. The restaurant seats about 140 people. Its menu is Latin American, led by Panamanian head chef Roberto Torres, and many dishes come off a charcoal-fired Josper grill. Later in the evening a DJ plays from the middle of the kitchen.
The hotel suggests starting with a cocktail at Sonora before moving to your table. Two dishes the chef himself points to are the Juka bread, made with cheese and fruit and topped with chipotle sauce, and a grilled avocado that is turned into guacamole at the table. The same floor also has about 700 square metres of rentable event space, including a room for keynote-style events of up to 200 people.
Lower down, Moana Bar on the first floor is a more casual spot for a drink. Breakfast is an American and continental buffet on the 17th floor, where three terraces look out over the city, and hot dishes can be ordered. If you need to leave before the buffet opens, ask reception about an early-bird breakfast.
Gym, bikes and guest services
Gym space is spread across several floors, including a gym with a view on the 10th floor and a terrace used for yoga. NH lists gym hours as 07:00 to 22:00 daily. One-to-one sessions with a personal trainer can be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
- Premium rental bikes, with routes and tours suggested by the staff
- A guest relations team that recommends local restaurants, bars and neighbourhoods
- Nine meeting rooms on the 23rd floor, plus two lounges for events
- Bicycle parking and indoor car parking
- Free Wi-Fi throughout, plus pet-friendly rooms for dogs and cats
Location next to RAI Amsterdam
The hotel was the winning entry in a 2014 tender run by the City of Amsterdam and RAI Amsterdam for a headquarters hotel next to the convention centre. That is still its main strength: you can walk to the RAI halls without using transport, which matters a lot during multi-day trade fairs.
For time off, Beatrixpark is a short walk away, and Martin Luther King Park sits on the Amstel to the east. De Pijp and the Museumplein area are a quick metro or tram ride north.
Getting to nhow Amsterdam RAI
From Schiphol Airport
Direct trains run from Schiphol to Amsterdam RAI station in about 10 to 14 minutes. From the station it is roughly an 8-minute walk to the hotel. A taxi takes about 8 minutes in light traffic. Our Schiphol train vs taxi comparison covers current fares.
From Amsterdam Centraal
Take metro 52 (the North/South line) to Europaplein, then walk about 7 minutes. Tram 4 is slower but runs through the centre to its terminus at Station RAI. For tickets, OVpay and daily caps, see our Amsterdam public transport guide.
By car
The hotel has an indoor garage at 42 euros per day. During large RAI events, reserve a space when you book the room.
When to book
Demand at a hotel this close to the convention centre tracks the RAI event calendar, so book early for the big fairs. IBC is held each September (the 2026 edition ran from 11 to 14 September), and the TCS Amsterdam Marathon expo takes place at RAI Amsterdam from 15 to 17 October 2026, before the race on 18 October. The Amsterdam Dance Event also fills hotels across the city every October; our ADE where-to-stay guide compares areas.
Summer evenings stay light late, which makes it the best time for drinks with a view on the 24th floor. In spring the hotel also sits on a handy transfer route: NH notes that Qbuzz bus 852 runs from Amsterdam RAI station to Keukenhof during the tulip season.
Frequently asked questions
Is nhow Amsterdam RAI connected to the RAI convention centre?
No covered link is advertised. The hotel stands next door to RAI Amsterdam on Europaboulevard, so you reach the halls on foot in a few minutes rather than through an indoor walkway.
How far is nhow Amsterdam RAI from the city centre?
NH puts the city centre about 10 minutes away by metro. Metro 52 runs from Europaplein, about a 7-minute walk from the hotel, directly to Amsterdam Centraal.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out is at 12:00. Guests who book directly with NH and join the Minor DISCOVERY programme can request a free Lazy Sunday check-out as late as 17:00, subject to availability.
Are pets allowed at nhow Amsterdam RAI?
Dogs and cats up to 25 kg are allowed, with a maximum of two per room, at 35 euros per pet per night. Space is limited, so contact the hotel to book. Guide dogs stay free.
Does nhow Amsterdam RAI have a swimming pool?
A pool is not listed among the hotel’s facilities. The fitness offer centres on its gyms, including a 10th-floor gym with a view and a yoga terrace.
Can non-guests eat at Selva on the 24th floor?
Yes. The top floor was planned as a public restaurant and bar. Book ahead for evenings and check current opening hours with the hotel before you go.
