The Sofitel Grand
What's so special
Built in 1578, the Sofitel Grand was originally a monastery that doubled as a lodge for royal visitors to the city. It later became an Admiralty building, and then Amsterdam's City Hall for nearly 200 years, serving as the venue for the marriage of Queen Beatrix, before finally becoming the luxury hotel it is today.
How they rate it
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This hotel is a "grand lady with a chequered past, who has been given a daring facelift", says Rodney Bolt in The Daily Telegraph. French interiors architect Sybille de Margerie "has worked magic to soften the monumental interior with warm colours and witty design touches, creating a contemporary air". When booking, ask for a room with a canal view as they have "more charm" than the courtyard view rooms, although the latter are still pleasant.
The menu
The hotel's Bridges restaurant "is arguably the best fish restaurant in town". The chef "produces beautiful, perfectly cooked fish and seafood dishes, with just one or two surprising turns of flavour that transport them to a higher realm".
The cost
Prices for a double room start from £347. For more information, visit www.sofitel.com or call 00 31 20 555 3111.
Seven One Seven
What's so special
This is one of Amsterdam's best small hotels offering history, luxury and a level of service that is second to none. Originally built as a wealthy sugar trader's residence in the 17th century, and extended to include a sugar mill and warehouses in the 19th century, it now serves as a canal-front guesthouse.
How they rate it
The hotel provides "an all-in experience that exceeds most others' promises, including not just breakfast (served on the patio on sunny summer days), but also afternoon tea, and all manner of wine and drink", says Florian Duijsens in The Guardian. Each of the nine rooms is named after a writer or a composer, and is "individually decorated in feisty tones". Meanwhile, "attention to details such as candles, fresh flowers and refreshments on arrival make Seven One Seven's prestigious address one to discover Amsterdam from in style".
The menu
While breakfast and afternoon tea are included in the room rates, dinner is not available in the hotel restaurant. However, in-room dining can be arranged.
The cost
A double room costs from £415 per night. Find out more at www.717hotel.nl, or call 00 31 20 4270 717.
The best destinations for food and drink
If you're a coffee fanatic, visit Vienna and tour the city's cafes. Legend has it that the city's coffee shop culture was born after soldiers found sacks filled with coffee left by retreating Turkish invaders in 1683, says Lonely Planet. The cafes are now part of Vienna's cultural history Sigmund Freud and Gustav Mahler regularly drank in Caf Landtmann while Leon Trotsky preferred the Central.
For fresh fish, head to Cornwall and catch your own dinner. The Lugger hotel (pictured, see Luggerhotel.co.uk) has teamed up with local fisherman James Brown to allow guests to go out and catch mackerel, crab or "on a lucky day" lobster, then return to the hotel wherehead chef Didier Bienaime will show you how to prepare it. Catch and Cook' weekends cost from £440 for two and are available from April to September.
You can learn all about breadmaking at the Fundamental' bread course at Macbiehill (Breadmatters.com) near Edinburgh. You'll learn "everything you need to know about creating yeasted sourdough breads", the science behind fermentation and how to turn out a good loaf. The weekend course costs £415 and includes a three-course meal.
For a more exotic treat, The Culinary Institute in Krakow, Poland, offers day-long cookery courses showing you how to cook traditional Polish dishes, such as red beetroot soup, stuffed cabbage rolls or hunters' stew. Students start out by picking up fresh ingredients at the local market, followed by lessons on how to prepare the food. Courses cost from £200 (Polandculinaryvacations.com).
