HOTEL OKURA AMSTERDAM AND CIEL BLEU: JAPANESE SERENITY AND CULINARY EXCELLENCE
words by NATALIE GAL
Introducing one of Amsterdam’s most iconic stays: Hotel Okura Amsterdam. This five-star superior hotel, a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, brings the spirit of Japan to the Netherlands with unmatched precision. Every detail is handled with the care and professionalism that defines Japanese hospitality.
Hotel Okura offers 300 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, each designed to deliver comfort, calm, and quality. For those seeking rest and renewal, the hotel features an extensive wellness and spa programme — because who doesn’t need a little pampering amid our busy, cosmopolitan life?
At the Nagomi Spa, guests are invited to experience treatments inspired by centuries of Japanese wellness traditions. Japanese spa culture is rooted in simplicity, ritual, and respect for balance. It values small, intentional acts: a hot soak in an onsen, the quiet focus of a tea ceremony, the gentle discipline of shiatsu. It’s all about clean design, seasonal awareness, and mindful movement like yoga or tai chi all play a role. Rather than chasing extremes and spiral about our to-do lists, Japanese wellness invites us to return to ourselves — slowly, respectfully, and with care.
A true highlight of the hotel is Ciel Bleu, the acclaimed two-Michelin-star restaurant located on the top floor. Here, sweeping views of Amsterdam meet a culinary journey inspired by cultures all over the globe. Executive Chef Arjan Speelman, Chef de Cuisine Mike Klaassen, and Service Manager Francesco Simonelli lead a passionate team crafting dishes that are technically refined to perfection.
Each plate draws inspiration from the world’s best ingredients, bringing together global flavours and refined techniques to create the Ciel Bleu experience. You may feel a childlike thrill, an eager anticipation we so often lose in adulthood, as you wonder: what's next, what flavour, what new experience? And you are always left astonished by the splendour of the next dish.
As noted by the Michelin Guide inspector:
"Ciel Bleu lives up to its name immediately. Here you dine on the top floor of the luxurious Hotel Okura Amsterdam and have a spectacular view of the blue sky and the Amsterdam skyline. Wow! Arjan Speelman's kitchen is technical and creative. It is infused with global influences and spices. Every detail is precise, every bite a surprise."
