Doing business
The majority of Dutch business people are fluent in English, but make a good first impression by saying ‘Dag’ or ‘Hallo’ – Dutch greetings – before continuing in English. Formal attire will be expected in most professions, and you’ll find the Dutch diligent and serious when working. Be on time, and lay off the hugs if you pull off that big deal.
Cool hotel
Hotel Okura is the business traveller’s choice, with close proximity to the RAI exhibition centre, private in-room fax lines and wifi. Plus it’s got Holland’s largest hotel pool, an amazing health club, several fine restaurants – including two with Michelin stars – and panoramic views of Amsterdam. See: www.okura.nl
Hip restaurant
Café-Restaurant Amsterdam, in the western part of the city centre, carries the cool that permeates the area with classic French cooking and high ceilings for that rarefied atmosphere. In case you’re wondering, the enormous floodlights are from the former stadium of Ajax Amsterdam.
Happening bar
Don’t miss a ‘brown café’ for a taste of old Amsterdam, but out west the Jordaan rocks to a more modern beat. Streets like Noordermarkt and Haarlemmerstraat are the latest places for a cool bar crawl. Try Finch for a funky, retro feel and an arty-designy crowd.
Must-see sights
You may find yourself being dragged around the not-at-all-sexy red light district, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is all Amsterdam has going for it. The Rijksmuseum may currently be closed as part of substantial renovations, but you can still see a fine selection of their Dutch Masters at the Philips Gallery. The Van Gogh Museum is the other unmissable attraction for art lovers. If you have time, see the city as the Dutch do by hiring a bike and getting out into Amsterdam’s numerous lovely parks or exploring the city by its many canal paths. The Anne Frank Musuem, located in her famous former hiding place, is well worth a visit too.
Getting downtown
This couldn’t be easier – trains leave Schiphol Airport’s station every ten to fifteen minutes and take 15 to 20 minutes to reach the city centre. Tickets cost £2.50. Aficionados swear by Amsterdam Airport Business Taxi (www.aabt.info), who have Mercedes cars and excellent drivers.
The details
As the Netherlands is in the EU, getting in is a breeze. There are e1.47 to the pound, and Amsterdam is one hour ahead of the UK.
See: www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk
Getting there
Amsterdam is one of the best connected cities to the UK, with business-friendly flights from pretty much any major airport, including around ten a day with VLM from London City. With the opening of the high-speed rail line, HS1, this November, connections via Brussels mean journey times will be less than five hours by train. Fares from London start at £69 return.
INSIDER’S TIP
“Teppanyaki Restaurant Sazanka, located within the five-star Hotel Okura, is famous for its Japanese dishes which are prepared on a hot plate in front of you. The restaurant even offers private rooms for business dinners. Taking a water-taxi from the city centre to the restaurant is a good way to impress business guests when entertaining as it offers wonderful views of the city” Astrid Boelmans, HRG Netherlands
