SWEETS – Sluis Haveneiland
First Impressions You know what catches you off guard about SWEETS - Sluis Haveneiland?
First Impressions
You know what catches you off guard about SWEETS – Sluis Haveneiland? It’s literally a converted bridge keeper’s house — and I mean that in the most charming way possible. This four-star gem sits right on the water in Amsterdam, and honestly, when you first see it, you might wonder if you’ve booked the right place. But trust me, you have.
Location & Getting Around
The location is sort of brilliant in an unexpected way. You’re on Haveneiland, which feels like this quiet island pocket that most tourists never discover. It’s about a 15-minute bike ride to Central Station — and yes, you’ll want to rent a bike because that’s just how Amsterdam works. The neighborhood has this residential vibe where you’ll actually see locals going about their day, not just crowds of selfie-taking visitors.
The Space
Here’s the thing about staying in a former bridge keeper’s house — the room is compact but incredibly thoughtful. Everything has a purpose, and the design makes the most of every inch. The windows give you these amazing water views, and there’s something oddly peaceful about watching boats drift by. The kitchen is small but functional if you want to grab groceries from the nearby Albert Heijn and make coffee in the morning.
What Makes It Special
SWEETS has this whole concept where they’ve converted these old municipal buildings into unique stays, and this one really delivers on that promise. You’re sleeping in a piece of Amsterdam’s infrastructure history — how cool is that? The attention to detail is impressive for what could have been just a gimmicky concept. Plus, having your own little house on the water feels like you’re getting an insider’s view of how Amsterdam actually works, beyond the canal tours and coffee shops.
Why Guests Love It
Look, this isn’t going to work for everyone — if you need a hotel restaurant and room service, book somewhere else. But if you want something genuinely different and don’t mind being a bit removed from the tourist center, it’s actually perfect. The 9.1 rating makes sense when you experience how unique and well-executed the whole thing is. You’ll have stories to tell that your friends who stayed in regular hotels just won’t have.
Rooms & Suites
Choose from 1 room types
| Room | Type | Beds | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Popular Apartment with Lake View | Max persons: 2 | 1 extra-large double bed | From $149 /night | Select → |
Apartment with Lake View
Max persons: 2 1 extra-large double bedSpa & Amenities
Bedroom
1- Linen
Bathroom
9- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Outdoors
1- Outdoor furniture
Activities
2- Beach
- Cycling Off-site
Living Area
2- Sofa
- Seating Area
Food & Drink
2- Wine/champagne Additional charge
- Tea/Coffee maker
Miscellaneous
4- Adults only
- Non-smoking throughout
- Heating
- Non-smoking rooms
Outdoor & View
5- River view
- City view
- Landmark view
- Lake view
- View
Room Amenities
5- Socket near the bed
- Clothes rack
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Private entrance
- Fan
Languages spoken
2- English
- Dutch
Safety & security
4- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke alarms
- Key card access
- Safety deposit box
Media & Technology
1- iPad
Reception services
4- Invoice provided
- Private check-in/check-out
- Express check-in/check-out
- 24-hour front desk
Great for your stay
9- Private bathroom
- Kitchen
- Free WiFi
- View
- Non-smoking rooms
- Beach
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Adults only
Building characteristics
2- Private apartment in building
- Detached
Entertainment and family services
2- Board games/puzzles
- Board games/puzzles
Other for your stay
8- Dining table
- Coffee machine
- Stovetop
- Oven
- Kitchenware
- Electric kettle
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
What Our Guests Say
Must do once, but too far from central Amsterdam Great and unusual apartment! Loved watching the boats coming through and waving at people.
What could be improved: Other than the dining chairs, there is nowhere to just sit. The bed lacks a headboard and the cushioned area adjoined to the bed lacks a back, so you can’t really relax.
It is a very long cycle into central Amsterdam!
Very good Stylish, spacious and unique property. Really simple to get into Amsterdam via the tram.
What could be improved: Only small things:
Toilet/shower on the bottom floor - feels like a trek going to the toilet during the night!
Would have been good to have a headboard behind pillows
A really unique place to stay! Fantastic stay and such a unique place. Loved the views and the quirky furnishings . Well equipped, clean and comfortable. So quiet at night.
Please add corkscrew to the tools, we had to leave bottle of wine cause we can't open it 🙁 Location, environment.
Unique place to stay Unique place to stay, very comfortable. Very well thought out facilities. Stunning location
One of the best apartments I’ve ever stayed in Unique stay in a converted bridge house. Lovely big windows overlooking the water. Kitchen was small but very functional and clean for 2 people. Massive bookshelf full of interesting books and board games. Interesting quirks throughout the room, like an old intercom and screens that were used when it was a bridge house. Great speakers. Very comfortable bed. Very spacious room / apartment. Bathroom was very clean. Only residents on the waterside of the road which had a nice feel about it.
What could be improved: Workers near the bridge can see into the room if the blinds are open. Late check-in (4pm) was inconvenient. 45minute journey via train to the city centre.
Modern, spacious apartment with tremendous views Wonderful views over the water and fabulous to watch the boats come in and out of the marina and through the lock. Easy access to Central Station on the tram (20 mins). Quiet, residential neighbourhood with local restaurants and two excellent supermarkets. Spacious, well equipped.
What could be improved: Air con worked well but I think it might be hot inside in the summer with all that glass. Toilet and bathroom down a long flight of stairs which won’t suit everyone but was fine for us.
Unique stay in Amsterdam The bridge house is architecturally unique, it’s spacious for two people and it’s a great spot to spend a week in Amsterdam.
The location (Ijburg) can seem a bit remote at first, but it’s actually nicely calm, and a short tram ride from the centre of Amsterdam.
What could be improved: Although we visited in March, the bridge house got really warm on sunny days, and it wasn’t easy to regulate its temperature.
Unique place to stay Unique location with great view over the water and added interest seeing the boats passing by. Plenty of space. Good room and area guide on the tablet in the room. Tram stop only a short walk away. We really enjoyed staying here.
What could be improved: The house is great - just one problem that took us some time to solve...
Keeping the room at a comfortable temperature was a bit difficult -, it was often too hot - even in November with freezing temperatures outside. The thermostat control in the room seems to do nothing - even if the temperature is set to a target of 16 degrees centigrade (and showing 26 degrees as the current room temperature) the heating would be switched on and radiators hot. The thermostat / heating control is not as described in the room guide on the tablet in the room. The room guide said the heating could be switched off but this didn't seem to be possible. Eventually we turned down each of the approx. 10 radiators and opened the small windows. But this seems to be wasteful of energy so is not ideal.
Lovely stay with only a couple of minor issues. Would come back again Very unique property in a lovely neighbourhood about 30 min cycle into town.
The property was clean and spacious, the view across the water was also very nice
What could be improved: It got extremely hot! Even with blinds closed, fans open and the small windows opened it was still hotter than outside.
No where to hang or put away clothes so you end up mostly living out of your suitcase
Location & Surroundings
What's Nearby
What's nearby:
- Dog Park6 km
- Diemerbos4.8 km
- Jeugdland4.2 km
- Diemerpark1.5 km
- Steigerpark2.3 km
- Gemeenlandshuis3.5 km
- Hondenuitlaatpad7 km
- Theo van Goghpark800 m
- De Batavia Speeltuin - Amsterdam5 km
- Skon Kinderverblijf de Blauwe Zeerob4 km
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant Krijn150 m
- Restaurant Barstow200 m
- Restaurant Firma Koek150 m
Top attractions:
- Artis Zoo8 km
- Dam Square15 km
- Rijksmuseum14 km
- A'DAM Lookout13 km
- Rembrandtplein15 km
- Rembrandt House13 km
- Beurs van Berlage15 km
- Heineken Experience14 km
- Royal Palace Amsterdam15 km
- Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder15 km
Natural beauty:
- Lake IJsselmeer20 m
- Forest Echobosch11 km
Beaches in the neighbourhood:
- Blijburg Beach800 m
Public transport:
- Train Diemen Station4.7 km
- Metro Metro Ganzenhoef6 km
- Bus Amsterdam, Leidseplein11 km
- Train Amsterdam Science Park5 km
- Metro Metro Verrijn Stuartweg6 km
- Bus Amsterdam, Centraal Station9 km
Closest airports:
- Schiphol Airport23 km
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport82 km
SWEETS – Sluis Haveneiland
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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