Occupying two historical buildings facing each other are a pair of hotels with distinctly different personalities that blend seamlessly into one luxury address called W. a former telephone exchange and a bank form the backdrop for the hotel’s 238 stylish rooms and 23 suites. Check into the Bank for a classic stay overlooking the canal where you will find fabulous suites of marble and elegance. These are designed with Dutch decadence and all the class that one would expect of a former counting house. Over the road is a vibrant postmodern exchange with vivid rooms full of colour and verve. The Wow Exchange rooms are edgier with fashionable design and a funky W circular signature bed, round baths, and a bird’s eye view of the city.

As for culinary delights there are two fine restaurants to select, from Mr Porter’s steak restaurant atop of the Exchange to the posh Duchess with a Michelin star over at the Bank, serving Italian French à la carte cuisine. The Away Spa is tucked deep into the basement of the Bank building – an urban sanctuary with top-notch treatments.