I have just stayed in an excellent hotel in Amsterdam. The Okura (www.okura.nl) to the south of the centre. The service philosophy shines through from the moment you check-in to the thoughtful touches in the rooms. The last time I stayed here I actually woke up to a view over a city farm and watched pigs, goats and geese as they roused themselves in the morning sun. Like most things Japanese, it’s not cheap and you will need to persuade a sympathetic local PA to find a good rate unless you work for a company who doesn’t mind what you spend.