
It doesn’t get much more central than this: Hotel The Diamond on Leidseplein combines stylish design with thoughtful details and innovative service. Genusspunkt visited the hotel and experienced a city hotel that reimagines comfort and the guest experience.
Some hotels impress with their location. Others leave a lasting impression through the atmosphere they create. The Diamond Hotel in Amsterdam achieves both. Located right on the lively Leidseplein, it’s the perfect starting point for everything the city has to offer: culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. And at the same time, it’s a retreat that consciously prioritizes tranquility, design, and comfort.
Even the façade tells a story. Inspired by Amsterdam’s tradition of diamond cutting, the building reflects elegance and craftsmanship. This ethos continues inside. Natural materials, warm colors, retro elements, and modern accents create an atmosphere that feels instantly welcoming. No over-the-top luxury, but a style that endures because it is authentic. As a member of the renowned Quality Lodgings partnership, The Diamond Hotel stands for individual quality, carefully curated properties, and a clear commitment to the upscale hospitality industry.
What particularly caught our attention: the rooms. Not just because of the amenities, which leave nothing to be desired with a coffee maker, refrigerator, well-thought-out storage, and high-quality details, but above all because of their functionality. The built-in alcoves offer small, quiet retreats, ideal for working, reading, or simply unwinding. This is a real plus, especially for business travelers or anyone who wants to be productive on the go. Everything feels well-thought-out without being complicated.
One detail that makes the stay special is the breakfast service. Breakfast can be easily ordered to your room, and the process runs remarkably smoothly. The highlight: Flashbot, the hotel’s service robot. It delivers breakfast, snacks, or other orders right to your door. You open the robot, take out your fruit bowl, for example, close it again, and it drives away with a little “smile.” What at first seems like a technical gimmick is actually a well-thought-out combination of innovation and hospitality and, quite honestly, is just plain fun.
What stands out most, alongside design and innovation, is the team. Friendly, attentive, and always there when needed, without being intrusive. It is precisely this balance that defines modern hospitality. The hotel manages to create a very personal atmosphere despite its central location and urban surroundings.
With the Heineken Hoek Grand Café and the Heineken Hoek Bistro, the hotel offers two culinary destinations that are closely tied to Amsterdam’s history. Here, classics meet modern interpretations, accompanied by the lively energy of Leidseplein. Whether for a morning coffee, a relaxed dinner, or the start of the evening, everything is right on your doorstep.
The location couldn’t be better: just a few steps from Leidseplein, within walking distance of the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, and right next to Vondelpark. And yet the hotel manages to create a quiet, almost private atmosphere.
The Diamond Hotel is more than just a stylish city hotel. It is a place where details make all the difference: thoughtfully designed rooms, genuine hospitality, and small innovations like Flashbot, which make your stay not only more comfortable but also more memorable. Or, to put it simply: an urban retreat that shows how modern hospitality can work today.
History is often a matter of perspective. Forgotten Heroines by Stefanie von Wietersheim shifts precisely this perspective – calmly, thoroughly and with great narrative power. The book brings together portraits of women who were pioneers, visionaries and trailblazers, yet whose achievements are scarcely embedded in the collective memory. Not because they were insignificant, but because history has long been told selectively.
Stefanie von Wietersheim traces the life stories of these women with journalistic precision and narrative depth. She tells the story of Hedy Lamarr, who was not only a film icon but also played a part in developing the technology on which today’s Bluetooth connections are based. She also profiles political figures, social pioneers and creative minds from the worlds of art, fashion and advertising – such as the woman who coined the legendary slogan ‘I love New York’ and thereby redefined city marketing.
INFO
Forgotten Heroines – Women Who Made History
Author: Stefanie von Wietersheim
Publisher: Callwey
Length: 240 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7667-2789-3
Price: €29.95 (Germany) / €30.80 (Austria) / CHF 40.50
Publication date: 2025
Baking is all about precision – and this is precisely where The Chemistry of Baking comes in. Nicola Lamb explains not only how to make something work, but above all why. Sound scientific knowledge meets the practical realities of baking, presented in an accessible way and free from kitchen myths. From flour, sugar, eggs and fat right through to common mistakes with ganache, sponge cake or custard: this book provides confidence through understanding.
Over 100 recipes, organised by time required, put theory into practice – from quick projects to ambitious classics. A book that takes away the fear of failure and makes baking understandable as a craft that can be learnt. Essential reading for anyone who wants to know exactly what really happens in the oven.
INFO
The Chemistry of Baking
Author: Nicola Lamb
Publisher: Edition Michael Fischer / EMF Verlag
Length: 352 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7459-2936-2
Price: €35.00 (DE), €36.00 (AT)
Publication date: September 2025
The best way to discover Rome is through its food. A Guest in Rome is less a traditional cookbook than a culinary stroll through the city – guided by Stefan Maiwald and brought to life visually by Andrea Di Lorenzo. Between antipasti and dolci, Roman cuisine unfolds as a living culture: authentic, unpretentious and deeply rooted.
Alongside iconic recipes such as cacio e pepe, carciofi alla romana and saltimbocca, the book opens doors to hidden trattorias, markets and cafés that lie far off the beaten track. Anecdotes, historical context and precise insider tips make it clear why food in Rome is always about identity too. A book that combines travel and cuisine – and inspires you to experience Rome with all your senses, whether you’re there or at home.
INFO
A Guest in Rome
Author: Stefan Maiwald
Photography: Andrea Di Lorenzo
Publisher: Callwey
Length: 224 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7667-2822-7
Price: €45.00
Publication date: September 2025
It doesn’t get much more central than this: Hotel The Diamond on Leidseplein combines stylish design with thoughtful details and innovative service. Genusspunkt visited the hotel and experienced a city hotel that reimagines comfort and the guest experience.