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The best summer locations in A’dam

3. July 2018/in /by David

Throughout the whole year Amsterdam offers many kinds of attractions and activities – interesting museums, vibrant night-life in the red-light district and canals with the bridges covered in beautiful flowers and bicycles. What is special in the summer (what I didn’t even know when I first visited Amsterdam) is that you can experience something more summer like – urban beaches! During the summer these beaches provide festivals, parties, activities, drinks & food and just a little bit more vacation-like atmosphere to the city holiday!

1.Roest

When asking for recommendations for urban beaches, you probably will hear the name Roest mentioned often. Roest is in the east of Amsterdam near by the Brouwerij’t IJ – so if you cycle there you can pass one of the eight windmills in Amsterdam as well.

The concept of Roest is interesting, the venue is well used in the old industrial area – it is a café, bar and a restaurant (the food looks amazing), it also holds a lot of events and parties. For example, on the 14th of July you can participate in the Respect the 80’s party here!

2.Strand Zuid

Strand Zuid is located a bit more in the east, easy to get to with the metro line 50 from Sloterdijk. Alternatively cycling is also a nice option, since the area in the south is very scenic.

The first thing I noticed here when I arrived at Strand Zuid, was how charming the surroundings were. Cute little lanterns and a lot of green plants help make the place feel really cozy and fresh. Just a quick turn from the cycling path and you’re experiencing a totally different atmosphere. Strand Zuid offers nice terrace tables by the view to the Zuidpool and the Beatrix park behind it, but also tables and chairs on the beach where you can just take your shoes off and enjoy the day.

3.Dok

One of my favorite ones is definitely Dok. 13-minutes cycling from Teleport and you’re already there! At this place the view towards the water is actually outside of the beach, but when you get inside it doesn’t really matter anymore. At Dok you have almost everything else a beach would require – people walking bare foot, beach volleyball, sand and of course the palm trees! Literally you can just go there, take your shoes off and relax with a beer or a plate of nachos.

Dok also hosts a lot of events and on the 7th of July, you will find a Tapas Food Festival there!

4.Sloterplas

Interested in swimming, renting a kayak or a sailboat, having a picnic, running, yoga, exercising in an outdoor gym or just having a drink on a terrace? Well Sloterplas is a great place to visit then! I cycle pass this lake every day, but only recently found out about the beach (with seashells) where you can actually swim. Albert Heijn is not too far either (5 minutes away), so getting the picnic foods is not too much of a trouble. And if you don’t want to sit in the sand, on the other side of Sloterplas there are nice grass areas.

Sloterplas in very conveniently located from Teleport – only 9 minutes of cycling or 28 minutes of walking.

5.Het Stenen Hoofd

This small beach with more casual-like atmosphere is just 5 minutes from the central station. There is a little beach café, where you can order lemonades, soft drinks and snacks. I tried their lemon lemonade, which was really good – bubbly and sweet. You can have a drink at the café on its terrace or lay on the little beach left-side of the café with your own food.

From here you have a pretty nice view to the north – you can spot the A’dam tower and the NDSM for example.

On the 7th till the 8th of July you can find a beer festival here with live wrestling, tasty food and different craft beers!

Besides these five, there are other urban beaches in Amsterdam: Pllek in the north and Blijburg aan Zee in the east of Amsterdam. These two also host different events throughout the summer: open air movie nights at Pllek and different music events in the huge beach of Blijburg aan Zee.

As a non-local I definitely recommend these places for the people who are interested in doing something a bit different on their holiday to Amsterdam. After visiting some museums, I can’t think of anything better than relaxing on an urban beach with good music, tasty food and cold drinks or even enjoying a festival!

On this map you can check out all the places I mentioned and find the most convenient one![:]

Street Art Transformation of Teleport

4. December 2016/in /by David

“Blank walls are a shared canvas and we’re all artists.”

Carla H. Krueger

When we started with alternative art tours for our guests around Amsterdam and met great guys from AllTourNative, little did we know how carried away we would get. Teleport had no clue where this collaboration would bring us and what would grow out of it. It’s been developing step by step: first we got introduced to Amsterdam Street Art (ASA) association (really talented street artists, who create true masterpieces!), then we decided to make Teleport Hotel more artsy and got so much inspiration that we couldn’t hold it anymore. That’s how the idea of Amsterdam Street Art Event was born.

We had the canvas of the blank walls, and we felt that we needed the artists to change them into something unique and breathtaking. And we were lucky to know just the right guys for it, who could share their talent with our guests and add up to the open-minded spirit of Teleport Hotel. Now we’re happy to share what turned out of a very special event last week.

2 days, 8 artists, 20 rooms

We’re fortunate enough to welcome guests to the city of Amsterdam that embodies freedom and liberty, and that has motivated us to give all the freedom of creativity to 8 selected (amazing!) artists from ASA. These talented guys have their own distinctive styles, and we knew that we made the right choice the moment we saw bright color sprays on the once boring white walls.

This time our hotel started with 20 rooms that were ready for transformation and new character with any form of alternative art on their walls. And since we like sharing happy moments with our guests, we made a 2-days party out of it with free mojitos, yummy snacks, live DJ, live painting and even street art workshop.

Paint smell, can shakes sound and work in progress

When you entered the hotel you could already smell the work of the artists, but the moment you opened the door of the rooms, you could finally see the work of the creators. Most of ASA guys not only didn’t mind visitors observing their creative process, but they were also willing to tell more about their style and a particular piece. Impressive eyes (whether it was one of a fish, a tree or one by itself) by Sjembakkus were staring at your soul from the walls, while almost real life Salvador Dali by Ives.One was questioning your intentions with his double face. Dotsy’s unique character was teleporting you from one room to another, and PressOne colorful creatures were multiplying without stopping. Beazarility decorated Teleport with detailed Amsterdam symbols easily recognized by tourists, while Sket185 sprayed some old school graffiti throw ups bring Amsterdam streets to the hotel.

Mojitos, workshop and music

In between observing the talents spraying their artwork and making the walls alive, the visitors could catch some fresh air and enjoy freshly prepared mojitos accompanied by delicious snacks. The most adventurous souls even tried themselves at street art by learning how to spray the famous puzzle pieces by Hero de Janeiro. He was giving some speed lessons on stencils art, cracking jokes and working his way up the long corridor wall.

Those with dancing feet could enjoy the vibrant tunes by our DJ and then come back to see the final results of the 2-days hard work of Amsterdam Street Art guys.

What’s now and what will happen next?

Now Teleport Hotel is proud to have 20 rooms decorated with the top street art pieces by all different styles and techniques. The guests are happy with the creative rooms and original walls that they love taking pictures of. The good news is that this event just the start of the Teleport transformation. Amsterdam’s best street artists will return for our next street art event to bring even more colors, creativity and character to the rest of the hotel rooms in February. We can’t wait! Can you?

ADE is coming to town! Are you ready for it?

13. October 2016/in /by David

Middle of October marks the transformation of Amsterdam into the world’s top clubbing capital with the impressive Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). This 5-day electronic music festival and conference takes over the city, occupying 385 venues with 2,200+ international artists and turning Amsterdam into a clubbing mecca. The program includes performances of professional artists and producers of all electronic styles, covers all other aspects of electronic culture like art, talks, films and offers a conference with 450 speakers and 9 multiple program streams.

If you’re still not persuaded by the size of the ADE, then you will once you decide to join 375,000+ visitors of the festival and start choosing from 450+ events on 19^th-23^rd of October. But how do you decide on the events to attend when the line-up is full with world-famous names during these 5 unbelievable days and nights? Of course, you can personalize your experience by checking the program and selecting your favorite artists, or you can just follow our highlights’ recommendations.

AMF Arena

Are you on a hunt for big names? Then AMF Arena proudly presents the Chainsmokers, David Guetta, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano,Axwell ˄Ingrosso and Hardwell- all in one day! This will be the largest show within the Amsterdam Dance Event with the most spectacular special effects, amazing sound and immense music by legends. You can’t miss out this huge Saturday in Amsterdam!

ZeeZout

Have a different electronic music experience with a 4-day spectacle at floating Undercurrent- unique venue in the north of Amsterdam. This year some of the most impressive names are Hunee, Ben UFO, Hashman Deejay, Daan Donk and many more.

Before Present

How about a combination of electronic dance music and contemporary opera at a hip industrial NDSM Shipyard wharf? DJ-producer and beat maker Sjamsoedin collaborates with classical composer and vocalist Anat Spiegel for this performance, creating an attractive mix of voices and instruments flowing into a vibrant opera.

Phillip Glass & Laurie Anderson

Another marvelous combination of the classical giant and avant-garde composer that come together to amuse you with interdisciplinary music. Phillip Glass uses traditional diatonic harmonies, while Laurie Anderson is a known pioneer in electronic music.

Theo Parrish

Detroit’s king Theo Parrish will be sharing his unique and dynamic music with you all night long at Radion. The performance of this legendary DJ and producer will be accompanied by fresh house music by successful beatmaker Byron the Aquarius and intimate sounds by Wendel Sield.

Free ADE Talks

When tired after days and nights of partying, stop by for a free talk by famous DJs with discussions and time for questions at the new Iamsterdam Store. And sure, it’s not only about talking, but also some danceable DJ sets afterwards to get into the right mood for the next party. You can get your festival tickets and official Amsterdam Dance Event souvenirs here too.

Global Underground ‘Twenty’

All the fans of Global Underground music will have a blast at the 20^th anniversary celebration at Q-Factory in Amsterdam. The most famous headliners of the label will be presented by Darren Emerson, James Lavelle, Habischman and Eelke Kleijn. Lots of great sound, photo exhibition and birthday party.

By now you probably know that the best place to stay at during the Amsterdam Dance Event is Amsterdam Teleport Hotel, as we’ve prepared a special treatment for you for the period of the festival. Get ready for the ADE party with our creative DJ playing those electronic tunes for you and our talented bartender making free fresh Mojitos for all of the guests. Feel the dance vibe upon arrival and throughout the stay! Join us for a 5-day party at Teleport on 19^th-23^rd of October!

Creative Ways to Explore Amsterdam

23. August 2016/in /by David

Amsterdam is one of the greatest cities to explore by bike, which happens to be the most convenient way to get around it. It’s fun, easy and allows you see the hidden corners of the charming place. However, cycling is far from the only way to experience Amsterdam, and this time we encourage you to try all the cool options.

Amsterdam by canal bike

Instead of cycling along the bike paths, we recommend you biking on water! Just rent one of pedalos, explore the canals and enjoy the sunshine! Amsterdam is spectacular when viewed from the water, as you will have a new angle at all the numerous bridges and dancing houses of the town. Most of water bikes are designed for four people, making it a joyful option for a group of friends or a romantic way to see Amsterdam for couples. They are even equipped with a waterproof head in case of rain, so don’t be afraid to use a canal bike at any weather. A canals’ map, routes and a few sailing tips are guaranteed.

Amsterdam by paddling

Continuing the topic of discovering Amsterdam from the water, let us introduce you stand up paddling, which maybe you thought wasn’t even possible around here. We can’t promise that it would be easy, but you will remember it as the craziest way to explore the city, that’s for sure. Peaceful and entertaining option for those who aren’t afraid to attract the attention of tourists and locals.

If paddle boarding is not in your list, then you can always rent a small boat in Amsterdam instead of joining the standard and sometimes primitive boat tours offered by the agencies. Create your own Dutch experience, mingle with local fancy boat owners and see the magnificent canals of Amsterdam. In case you want to explore further and option of renting a boat sounds too costly, then how about canoeing in Amsterdamse Bos, the famous forest in the south part of the city? This scenic area has a couple of routes to offer, which will get you closer to nature and shows you a different side of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam by segway

Riding on a segway can be a brilliant idea for those of you that are not afraid to try something new in the middle of a busy city. Learn the history of Amsterdam by getting into the narrowest streets and alleys while driving your segway. Most likely you would have to take a tour with a guide though, as not too many people can be trusted with a segway in the heart of Amsterdam, riding it for the first time. Even though it’s quite easy to balance and navigate. It’s definitely different from all the transportation you experienced before, but it can bring you far on those 400 km of bike lanes in the city.

Amsterdam by beer bike

Yes, we’ve promised not to mention cycling in this article, but riding a beer bike is not the same. You don’t even have to pedal if you don’t want to! But if you wish to combine cycling and drinking (don’t repeat it again with any other bikes except for a beer bike!), then welcome on board! Your driver is the only sober one on the bike and is making sure you’re safe and sound, while the whole group of drinking buddies are totally having a blast. Hop on this crazy beer bike and start your Amsterdam adventure.

We hope you got excited about discovering new and creative ways to look at Amsterdam, explore its canals, parks, charming streets and impressive architecture. But if you want to stick to the old friend and simply rent a bicycle, then Amsterdam Teleport is there to help you! On top of that you’re entitled for our Free Alternative Bike Tour! Join us every day! First four signups of the day have the bike included for free as well!

What’s Behind the Symbols of Amsterdam?

3. August 2016/in /by David

XXX

No, we’re not starting the story about the symbols of Amsterdam with the sign for x-rated entertainment that associates with the Red Light District. Instead we would be happy to explain you the origin of the three crosses that can be seen all over the city-its buildings, flags, poles, manholes and souvenirs. You might have guessed that the XXX symbol officially serves as a part of the coat of arms of Amsterdam, but what does it stand for? It represents three vertical St. Andrew’s Crosses named after the apostle that was tormented on a cross of the X-shape in the 1^st century AD. There’s no exact explanation what meaning those crosses have for Amsterdam, but one of the thoughts is that they originate from the Persian crusader family who owned lots of land in Amsterdam. Another version has to do with the connection between St. Andrew being a fisherman and Amsterdam stemming from a fishing town with its fishermen going under the flag with XXX. The crosses can also possibly stand for the three threats of the medieval city: floods, fire and the black plague.

The unknown history leads us to known present, where these three white crosses are depicted on a black band in the middle of a red shield. This combination is also known as the flag of Amsterdam and part of the coat of arms. The latter is decorated with the Imperial Crown of Austria and two golden lions carrying the shield. The motto of the city follows below with “Heroic, Resolute and Merciful”, although some people jokingly believe it should be “Stubborn, Defiant and Extremely Tolerant.” Have you already picked a few souvenirs with the XXX symbol of Amsterdam

Why is everything so orange?

It’s easy to notice that the Dutch like orange, or at least that’s what they sell to tourists on the markets-and we’re not talking about the fruit, but rather that super bright color everywhere around the souvenir shops. And if you’ve ever visited Amsterdam on King’s Day or during the football championships, you’ve seen the most of it, and we bet it was orange! On special occasions the whole city turns orange, but why would that happen counting the fact that colors of the Dutch flag (red, blue, white) have nothing to do with it? The secret lies within the Dutch Royal Family that originates from the House of Oranje-Nassau with the ancestry of the current king of the country Willem-Alexander going back to William of Orange (Willem van Oranje). They also call the national football team Oranje and most of the Dutch sporting teams wear orange uniform. This way the color unites the whole nation and becomes the symbol of Amsterdam.

I AMsterdam

Does it even count that you’ve been to Amsterdam, if you don’t have a picture in front of the world famous I AMSTERDAM letters? This symbol has become so present in branding of the city that it can easily be one of the most visited sightseeings in Amsterdam. What started as a marketing campaign, has truly become the catch of the town and everybody wants to bring a piece of it home. The huge letters are located at the back of the majestic Rijksmuseum, and lots of people try to climb them and get the best shot. Here comes just a small tip: if you want to avoid lots of other tourists on your exclusive picture with I AMSTERDAM sign, then come late in the evening- you will be surprised how empty it gets.

When you happen to be at the right place at the right time, you can also spot another set of the magic letters at other locations such as festivals, fairs, fashion shows and important events of the city. Sometimes you can even see it in rainbow colors, especially when Amsterdam celebrates love, freedom and diversity. The city constantly plays around with the location, and this week (until 7 August) you will find the travelling letters close to the Amstel River in front of the Hermitage due to the Canal Parade there. And for those who want to have it all, take a seat on a red handmade I Amsterdam mosaic sofa right outside of the reception of City Hall at Amstel 1. You can also have a moment with the symbol sign at Amsterdam Airport Schipol right before finishing your amazing trip.

Amsterdam Teleport Hotel: 1 year anniversary

21. June 2016/in /by David

Amsterdam Teleport Hotel is celebrating its first anniversary on the 26th of June! A year full of hard work, thousands of guests from all over the world and changes passed by in no time. In a year we managed to build up a hotel experience to be proud of. Sometimes it is hard to believe it all started less than a year ago. After a series of weekly blogs about Amsterdam’s most unique places, hidden gems, culture, food and must sees, we decided to dedicate this week’s edition to the hotel itself. Gain insight in how it all started, get to know the team and read all about last year’s highlights!

How it all started

Believe it or not Amsterdam Teleport Hotel building went through multiple transformations over the past few years. From an office building to a long stay studio appartement and eventually into a hotel. Amsterdam is one of the most remarkable cities in the world. The historical city center, world class museums, the tolerant and easy going life attitude of its citizens, the coffeeshops and red light district attract millions of tourists. The existing hotels couldn’t keep up with the ever growing demand and more rooms were needed Amsterdam Teleport Hotel saw a huge opportunity to jump into a new adventure with a constantly changing market full of innovations . To be honest with you, almost none of us had any experience in this business and we had to build it up from scratch. The idea was simple: offer good value for money and make guests feel at home. Bring those two together at a great location and the Teleport hotel concept was born.

The first guest

The last months before the grand opening were beyond crazy. Permits had to be arranged with the municipality, hotel staff had to be hired and of course the building was undergoing major changes. It had to be rebuilt and fully furnished. Maikel, Evgenia ( our hotel managers) and the construction team worked around the clock to make it all happen, get it done and make sure we could open our doors by the end of June last year. The first day was a very exciting one, everything was new, the brand new team was ready to start and waiting for our first guests to arrive. The first weeks are crucial especially for a new hotel business. Do guests like the hotel, the experience and are they willing to recommend it to other people? It is all about reputation and good reviews in our business, and we still had to earn them. Luckily everyone was very happy with their stay, the team’s personal approach, room and location.

Highlights

Last year, undoubtedly was a great year for us full of exciting highlights. None of us could predict the fast growth and constant flow of incoming good reviews. The first highlight was a fully booked hotel for the first time in September . You can only imagine how proud we felt. Then many others followed, such as finishing the second building in Amsterdam in November, our first big team dinner with lots of delicious food during Christmas, the opening of our sister hotel in The Hague (don’t miss it), the first Teleport golden egg hunt during Easter and last but not least decorating all the doors in different Amsterdam themes as a final finishing touch to the hotel.

From Panda suit to young and fresh

Throughout the year many new ideas were born and implemented. Some were more successful than others. While the Teleport concept and identity were slowly developing and shaping we started to realize that the way we were presenting ourselves didn’t really fit the way we felt anymore. The hotel team is young and full of positive energy. A decision had to be made! Our panda suits (once you see them you will understand why we called them that way) had to go. We have replaced them by the nice slim fit t-shirts we are wearing today! We couldn’t be happier!

Teleport Power

From the very beginning the Teleport team has been a very close one. It has a unique mix of different characters with various cultural backgrounds and talents. Our manager has done a great job putting all of us together. We are very different but all share a passion for people, the city of Amsterdam and are willing to work hard. One of Teleport’s greatest strengths is the freedom we get from the management to help building the concept and hotel experience. Everyone is encouraged to step up and contribute more than just the functions of the position they were hired for. This support and responsibility for our hotel is what makes us happy, feel appreciated, important and what gives us the extra motivation to go the extra mile for our guests. That is what we call Teleport Power! :)

The Secrets of Our Alltournative Bike Tour

14. June 2016/in /by David

It’s not a secret that the best city for cycling is Amsterdam and the best way to explore Amsterdam is by bike. That’s exactly one of the reasons why our team keeps recommending you our free Alltournative bike tours around the city. But if you want to get an idea of why it’s called an alternative tour or to have a sneak peek at what’s waiting for you, let us tell you more and explore the details together .

How it all starts

Same way as with trying all cool places around Amsterdam before recommending them to you, we have done Teleport Alternative Bike Tour, loved it and wanted to share it with you. The first best fact about the tour is that it’s free for all– all you need to do is just rent a bike with us! We have a tour waiting for you every day, so just let us know that you would like to join and have fun on a bike. And then the journey begins! Lovely enthusiastic guides from AllTourNative, full of life and excitement about Amsterdam, will meet you 11 am in front of the hotel and take proper care of your tour. You get your special free map of the city, cool sticker, some not-boring-at-all cycling and road safety instructions and off you go!

Why so unique

What makes our alltournative tours different from any others in Amsterdam? It’s off-the-beaten-track, not touristy (but quite authentic and local), with the most relaxed young guides ready to crack a good joke and most importantly- customized to your needs and preferences. In the beginning of each tour nice peeps from AllTourNative ask you about what you would be interested in seeing and adjust their route depending on the crowd. In any case, expect some impressive street art, alternative galleries and contemporary exhibitions that you won’t find on your own. Every tour is unique, so in case you love it, feel free to join the second time, as something new will be waiting for you! Forget about everlasting historical tours, when your guide is cycling in front of the group and telling you easy-to-forget facts in a monotone voice. Instead prepare for a very entertaining, amusing and interactive mix of history, art, unusual facts about Amsterdam and fun cycling in between.

What is street art?

Amsterdam is full of street art. There is so much more to see than meets the eye at first sight. Our guides will help you to find all those beautiful and interesting art pieces hidden on walls, inside alleys, under bridges or even on a lantern pole. Street art is so much more than just graffiti; has it’s own unique culture and set of unwritten rules. The beauty of street art not only lies in its variety, creativity and in the messages that street artists are bringing to us but also in the fact that street art usually is very brief and can be gone forever before you know it.

What’s more

There is much more to see close to Teleport Hotel than you think, and brilliant guides (like cheerful Marnix)will make sure you experience it all. How about the stunning sight of a typical Dutch windmill on the way, or hip Westerpark with its exceptional Westergasfabriek always full of events, amazing coffee and good selection of beer? These small discoveries during the tour will make your stay in Amsterdam more exciting, as you will get to know what to do, where to eat, have a drink, enjoy some live music or party hard in the city. An advice given by a local who is passionate about his hometown is the best advice, so pay attention, learn Amsterdam secrets and create some new memories! And last but not least, taking your opportunity of a free tour at Teleport Hotel you highly increase your chances to make new friends to spend some time with in this amazing city.

Please ask for more details about our tours at the reception, sign up with our friendly Teleport Hotel team and enjoy the city and art exploration! Our bike rental prices are moderate: 24 hours with a great bike will cost you only 15€, but if you need it just for the tour, then 10€ would do. Ride your bike, discover Amsterdam and have fun with us!

For a short video impression click here!

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