Summer may be peak season in Europe, but it truly shines during the festive season.
From Christmas markets to packed ski slopes to hotel winter wonderlands, few do it better than Amsterdam’s Grand Dame, the Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky. This year, this historic canal city celebrated its 750th anniversary, and this 160-year-old hotel has been at the center of it.
The holiday decorations inside the Wintergarden restaurant.
(Courtesy of Anantara)
Sparkle and Shine
Located in the heart of the city’s Dam Square, the hotel transforms into a magical, holiday wonderland every festive season. Garland and string lights are wrapped around nearly every hall of the iconic European hotel. Christmas trees made of lights hang from the ceiling in the Wintergarden restaurant.
The lobby Christmas tree at the Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.
(Courtesy of Anantara)
The lobby is the centerpiece, with a towering Christmas tree, decorated head to toe in bulbs and lights, with a glowing fireplace in the background. Smaller trees with gold and silver bulbs with wrapped presents pepper the hotel, while the imprint of snowflakes decorates the windows. Red berries and Christmas flowers sit on open tables, permeating that beloved holiday scent throughout the hotel.
Christmas fun at the Anantara Krasnapolsky.
(Courtesy of Anantara)
Holiday Food & Fun
And while the decor draws in the crowds, the food is the reason they stay.
Afternoon tea at the Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
(Courtesy of Anantara)
Each of its three restaurants pulls out all the stops during the holiday season. Grand Cafe Krasnapolsky puts on a Festive Afternoon Tea, with flavors like gingerbread and cranberry incorporated into its sweets. The cafe will also host a Christmas Eve and Christmas feast, featuring crab salad with foie gras, scallops served in a shell and duck Wellington.
Chocolate gingerbread at Anantara Krasnapolsky.
(Courtesy of Anantara)
In its striking Wintergarden restaurant, decorated to the nines with hanging Christmas lights, the hotel puts on a must-try Christmas brunch. Live music and carolers put on a show while guests devour cheesy ravioli served inside a Parmesan wheel, a chocolate fountain, Dutch cheeses and carving stations.
Dinner at the Winter Room at the Anantara Krasnapolsky.
(Courtesy of Anantara)
Home to the oldest restaurant in the city, The White Room, diners can get fancy at its Michelin Christmas dinner. Seasonal Dutch ingredients are artfully plated and paired with world-class wines. Or try their Michelin Christmas brunch full of caviar and Champagne—the perfect Christmas present.
The Cake Room at the Anantara Krasnapolsky.
(Courtesy of Anantara)
But the hotel’s cake room is arguably the most festive part of the hotel. Its chocolatiers and pastry chefs put on a Christmas extravaganza made from sugar, cream and chocolate. They create famous Dutch Sinterklass clogs made of chocolate and biscuits, a Santa House made of chocolate with white chocolate snow and a milk chocolate Nutcracker.