Overlooking the canal, this hotel with an elegant facade is a long-standing favorite with a loyal guest list—and for good reason. You enter through a high-ceilinged hallway with a cozy bar and a restaurant leading off to either side. Rooms in the historic 15th-century building are all individually decorated, and in different shapes and sizes, but they are all bigger than is usual, and some come with floor-to-ceiling windows with immense views of the canal. Period features include wood paneling, and some rooms have imposing fireplaces. Polished wood floors, comfortable and classic furniture, and four-poster beds bring to mind a very grand house. That said, a stay here isn't just for traditionalists. There's a second wing, opened in 2000, that is seamlessly joined to the original house. Here the rooms divide into two types: ones with traditional décor and three "design" rooms with iconic furniture from classic modern designers. The large bathrooms, designed by Philipe Starck, have glass panels that look onto the original brick walls of the old building—a very impressive touch.