Whichever week you choose to visit, Amsterdam nails December. Already underway, there’s the Amsterdam Light Festival to make the city sparkle, and mid-month, the brown cafés pouring bock beers are at their cosiest, while on New Year’s Eve the city residents light firecrackers en masse. And in the heart of the chic Nine Streets neighbourhood, The Pulitzer makes the perfect festive base. It is housed in 25 canal houses linked by lifts, passages and a stunning glass-walled courtyard for a truly unique stay. Come the last week of November, the wonderfully eclectic interiors by creative director Jacu Strauss, are given a new pièce de résistance in the form of the courtyard Christmas tree. This year’s was designed by Jenny Packham, adorned with giant pearl ‘earrings’. The perfect place for a festive toast after a seasonal dinner at its popular restaurant, Jansz.