19th-century townhouse hotel Jan Luyken Amsterdam has unveiled its design by boutique hospitality studio Nicemakers.
Completed in May 2023, the project reimagines the guest experience through an intimate, residential approach that blurs the line between boutique hotel and a thoughtfully curated private home.
Part of Leonardo Hotel Group’s growing portfolio, the property spans a series of restored 19th-century townhouses near Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter.
The hotel features 62 rooms and 1 studio ranging from cosy accommodations to more spacious layouts, all designed with contemporary comforts. Guests also have access to a variety of shared spaces, including a garden, library lounge, fitness studio and a communal kitchen-style breakfast area.
The redesign preserves the essence of the original architecture while introducing a layered and expressive design language, resulting in a destination that feels both deeply personal and connected to Amsterdam’s cultural identity.
Nicemakers was tasked with creating an experience rooted in the emotional comfort of returning home, culminating in a design that evokes the familiarity and ease of arriving at one’s own townhouse while respecting the building’s historic character and enriching it with texture and personality.
This philosophy is reflected in the studio’s eclectic approach to interiors, which avoids a singular aesthetic in favour of a curated mix of vintage and antique furniture sourced across the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy.
Subtle references to the hotel’s namesake, Jan Luyken, and its artistic surroundings inform the design, while a collaboration with a UK-based rare book supplier has resulted in an in-house library of rare books and magazines spanning art, writing and historical design. Together, these elements create a layered, lived-in atmosphere that feels both cultured and distinctly individual.
Throughout the townhouse, spaces are designed to balance comfort with curiosity. Rich materials, deep velvet seating, upholstered window nooks and communal dining areas create a sense of intimacy, while a warm and expressive colour palette, featuring earthy tones alongside bold accents such as Rosa Norvegia marble, burnt orange walls and burgundy velvet, adds depth and vibrancy.
At the same time, original architectural details, including high-gloss painted woodwork and preserved emerald green entrance tiles, celebrate the building’s heritage.
A defining feature of the project is the transformation of the traditional reception desk into a communal kitchen island, conceived as both a welcome point and social hub.
Complementing this approach are collaborations with European makers and contemporary brands, including furnishings from HK Living and The Socialite Family, as well as curated artworks by Oode Gallery, which connect the hotel to the city’s creative community.
At its heart, the living room serves as the centre of the townhouse. Home to the curated library and intimate reading nooks, it offers a calm retreat where guests can unwind and browse rare books, capturing the essence of a stay that feels personal, welcoming and effortlessly at ease.
“From the outset, our goal was to make the townhouse feel like a home rather than a hotel,” says Sam Lupton, Interior Designer at Nicemakers. “We wanted guests to feel instantly at ease – surrounded by warmth, curiosity and spaces that invite both connection and quiet retreat.”
