A far cry from the minimalist styling adopted by so many city hotels, the designers of the Ambassade evidently believed that more is best; the 10 17th- and 18th-century gabled townhouses sandwiched together to form this elegant frippery are gaily festooned with swags of curtain, chandeliers, and antiques—plus a collection of priceless CoBrA artwork. The guest rooms have statement color palettes, fancy gilt mirrors, and walls filled with Dutch paintings. The three joyfully appointed suites all have views over the canal, as does the first-floor apartment. A sumptuous library bar stocks 5,000 books, many of them first editions.  A few doors down at Herengracht 321, you’ll find the hotel’s blissful Koan Float massage center; guests receive a discount on treatments. Although not all rooms are accessible by elevator, plenty are; breakfast is not included in the room rate.