Run by an American/Dutch couple, misc eatdrinksleep is a whimsical hideaway on the border of Nieuwmarkt Square and Amsterdam’s notorious red-light district. The renovated 17th-century canal house was secured by its new proprietors in 2004, and is a fetching example of the city’s rare centrally located boutique hotel. Each of the six individually designed rooms draw from Dutch inspiration like Rembrandt, or more exotic themes like Africa and Baroque; all flaunt a view of the canal or the hotel’s garden.

Beyond the ornately designed rooms and sheer fun factor, perhaps the best part of the hotel is its owners: quick to become your informed tour guides, they might suggest winning tips like a destination restaurant, or in our case, a secret bar, like the excellent Prohibition era Door 74.