Britney Spears' hotly anticipated memoir The Woman in Me has caught the attention of the internet following its official release on 24 October. In the run-up to its publication, snippets from the explosive autobiography revealed a new harrowing meaning behind her hit 'Everytime', as well as lifting the lid on how her relationship ended with Justin Timblerlake. Reports have claimed the star gave the final sign-off to publishers weeks before Asghari filed for divorce after 14 years of marriage, meaning she has "no right to demand any further changes". Spears ‘dropped jaws’ with her audition for The Notebook October 24, 11:19 Spears revealed she was "glad" to have lost the lead role in The Notebook to Rachel McAdams, prompting casting director Matthew Barry to share her audition tape with The Daily Mail. In the two-minute-long video, an emotional Spears says: "I prayed for you to die in the war, really. Well, not die. I would have felt completely horrible if you would've died. But I kinda didn't want you to be alive anymore because I couldn't bear the thought of you being with somebody else, or of us never seeing each other again. So I gotta go, okay?" Barry told the publication the pop star "wasn't just good, she was phenomenal." Read more Emma Roberts ecstatic to receive copy of Spears' autobiography October 24, 11:11 Britney Spears finally confirms how things ended with Justin Timberlake October 24, 11:07 The star has detailed how the former NSYNC star dumped her via a text message. "I was comatose in Louisiana, and he was happily running around Hollywood," she wrote in an excerpt. Spears said the break-up affected her so much that she considered quitting the music industry at the time. Read more Spears sends a copy of 'The Woman in Me' to Paris Hilton October 24, 10:58 Britney Spears' Everytime acquires 'new meaning' after Justin Timberlake abortion bombshell October 24, 10:57 Britney Spears shot to fame as the quintessential sugar-pop princess but, in 2003, she showed her serious side with the moving hit ‘Everytime’. In the autobiography, Spears, 41, claims that she fell pregnant during her three-year relationship with fellow superstar Justin Timberlake. And while she’d been convinced that she and the NSYNC heartthrob would have children together “one day”, she said he "definitely wasn’t happy" about the news. The singer wrote in an excerpt published by People on Tuesday: "I loved Justin so much. I always expected us to have a family together one day. This would just be much earlier than I’d anticipated. "But Justin definitely wasn’t happy about the pregnancy. He said we weren’t ready to have a baby in our lives, that we were way too young." Read more How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Elon Musk thinks we might be on the precipice of another world war, following a discussion on X/Twitter on 23 October. The billionaire owner of the social media platform warned that the United States is “sleepwalking into World War III” and that “civilization itself may be at stake”. Musk said US foreign policy right now should be preventing a situation of “a regional conflict rapidly becoming a global conflict”. The Tesla owner’s comments come amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, he was referring more specifically to the growing relationship between Russia and China. Should that continue to blossom, it could spell disaster for the US, and that Russia, with its “abundance in raw materials, and China, with its phenomenal industrial capacity” are a formidable duo. Musk added that US foreign policy has been about “forcing Russia to ally with Iran and China” for a number of years, and that it should “figure out” a road towards peace in Ukraine and “resume normal relations with Russia.” The discussion also featured Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who has previously expressed isolationist, some argue pro-Russia, views on the Ukraine war. He argued last year that the US should force Ukraine to cede much of the territory taken by Russia in the eastern part of the country, in return for president Vladimir Putin cutting military ties with China. On 23 October, Musk appeared to echo that view, suggesting that the present lines of control should be established as a ceasefire line or permanent border. Musk came under fire in September, when excerpts of a new biography published in the Washington Post said he had denied Ukraine access to his starlink satellite service for an offensive against Russia in Crimea last year. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Starlink has provided internet to Ukrainian civilians and its military. Musk has since signed a contract with the Pentagon, which pays for Ukraine’s use of the service. He said of the cut in service: “If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation.” Musk added: “Starlink was not meant to be involved in wars. It was so people can watch Netflix and chill and get online for school and do good peaceful things, not drone strikes.” Days later, Putin praised Musk as a “talented businessman.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Britney Spears has reflected on the iconic double-denim outfit she wore alongside her then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake in 2001. Spears and Timberlake – who were dating at the time – attended the American Music Awards together and quickly made headlines with their showstopping outfits. The pair wore matching head-to-toe denim looks, including a blue denim cowboy hat on Timberlake. The instantly recognisable double-denim moment has gone down in sartorial history, with many people replicating the look for Halloween couple costumes. Reflecting on the starry fashion moment, Spears writes in her new memoir The Woman In Me that she initially suggested the idea to Timberlake and their stylist as a joke. “I still can’t believe that Justin was going to wear denim and I said, ‘We should match! Let’s do denim-on-denim!’’” she explained. “At first, honestly, I thought it was a joke. I didn’t think my stylist was actually going to do it, and I never thought Justin was going to do it with me. But they both went all in.” Spears continued: “The stylist brought Justin’s all-denim outfit, including a denim hat to match his denim jacket and denim pants. When he put it on, I thought, Whoa! I guess we’re really doing this!” At the time, the pop star was a newly famous pop sensation and Timberlake was an international heartthrob as the frontman of boy band NSYNC. Together, they would attend multiple red carpet events in the years they dated, from 1998 to 2002. “Justin and I were always going to events together,” Spears said. “We had so much fun doing the Teen Choice Awards, and we often color-coordinated our outfits. But with the matching denim, we blew it up.” Spears explained that the denim corset she wore to the event was so tight that she thought she might fall over on the red carpet. “I get that it was tacky, but it was also pretty great in its way, and I am always happy to see it parodied as a Halloween costume,” she said. Spears went on to address the criticism that Timberlake faced for wearing the matching outfit. “I’ve heard Justin get flak for the look. On one podcast where they were teasing him about it, he said, ‘You do a lot of things when you’re young and in love.’ And that’s exactly right. We were giddy, and those outfits reflected that,” Spears wrote. The pair began dating after meeting on the set of the All-New Mickey Mouse Club in 1992. Elsewhere in the memoir, Spears wrote about her decision to get an abortion after she became pregnant while dating Timberlake. “It was a surprise, but for me, it wasn’t a tragedy. I loved Justin so much. I always expected us to have a family together one day. This would just be much earlier than I’d anticipated” she said of the pregnancy. “But Justin definitely wasn’t happy about the pregnancy. He said we weren’t ready to have a baby in our lives, that we were way too young.” Spears appeared to imply that she decided to get an abortion because it was what Timberlake had wanted her to do. “I’m sure people will hate me for this, but I agreed not to have the baby. I don’t know if that was the right decision,” she wrote in the memoir. “If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it. And yet Justin was so sure that he didn’t want to be a father.” “To this day, it’s one of the most agonising things I have ever experienced in my life,” she said. The Independent has contacted representatives for Timberlake and Spears for comment. The Woman in Me is out now. You can read The Independent’s four-star review of the memoir here. Read More Britney Spears announces engagement to Sam Asghari Britney Spears’ fiance responds to fans calling for star to get prenup Britney Spears reassures fans after deactivating Instagram account Everything we know about Britney Spears and Sam Asghari divorce A timeline of Britney Spears and Sam Asghari’s relationship What is Sam Asghari’s net worth?

Internet star Trisha Paytas has stirred a debate online after dressing up as rapper Ice Spice for Halloween. The 35-year-old turned to Instagram on 17 October with a string of photos revealing her creative outfit choice. In the snap, she cosplays as the rapper with a curly red wig and an all-pink outfit almost identical to the one Ice Spice donned in 'Princess Diana' featuring Nicki Minaj. "I'm thick because I be eating oats," Paytas wrote as the caption, while crediting photographer Isaiah Mays, costume designer Eddy's Online, makeup artist Arianna Garcia and hairdresser Tony. Fans were quick to flood the post with praise, with some even having to take a second look. "I genuinely thought this WAS ice spice for a sec," one wrote. "It's Ice Spice putting your TikTok in her stories for meeeee. I'm her own words, YOU ATE," another added. Meanwhile, others accused the YouTuber of doing blackface, with one asking: "Is this blackface. If we compare the literal colour of their skin it is the same." A second penned: "White person to white person— Trisha you can’t be doing this…" The comments fuelled fans to hit back and defend the star. "Why are people trying to cancel this? she’s just wearing a ginger curly wig and the same outfit. there’s no way y’all are trying to cancel this. y’all need to touch some grass," one wrote on the post. "This isn’t racist lol she isn’t in blackface she is just dressed as Ice Spice smh. It’s more cosplay tbh," another said. A third added: "Y’all want this to be 'racist' and 'blackface' so bad…" Indy100 reached out to Trisha Paytas' representative for comment. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Britney Spears revealed she was "glad" to have lost the lead role in The Notebook to Rachel McAdams, prompting casting director Matthew Barry to share her audition tape with The Daily Mail. In the two-minute long video, Spears says, whilst her eyes well up with tears, "I prayed for you to die in the war, really. Well, not die. I would have felt completely horrible if you would've died. But I kinda didn't want you to be alive anymore because I couldn't bear the thought of you being with somebody else, or of us never seeing each other again. So I gotta go, okay?" Barry told The Daily Mail the pop star "wasn't just good, she was phenomenal." "It was a tough decision," he continued, reflecting on Spears' audition. "Britney blew us all away. Our jaws were on the floor. I was blown away. Absolutely blown away. She brought her A-game that day." Since the sharing of Spears' audition, people have praised her acting but ultimately agreed that it should have been McAdams that got the part. "Love Britney down and she looked adorable but Rachel McAdams was just born for the role", the top comment under the tape read: "I mean [obviously] Rachel is perfect in this role, but I'm actually really impressed with [Britney's] audition", wrote another. This sentiment was prevalent throughout the reactions to Spears' tape. "Rachel was perfect and iconic for the role. HOWEVER... seeing this I now understand why Britney was considered for the role", one user shared. It seems Spears agrees that role should have gone to McAdams, writing in her upcoming memoir The Woman in Me "Even though it would have been fun to reconnect with Ryan Gosling after our time on The Mickey Mouse Club, I'm glad I didn't do it," she writes. "If I had, instead of working on my album 'In the Zone' I'd have been acting like a 1940s heiress day and night." Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

French President Emmanuel Macron becomes the latest world leader to visit Israel, where he’ll meet Prime Minister Benjamin

Ana Navarro said, 'I don’t want to give them another dime for her emasculating and embarrassing him to everyone in the world'

'90 Day: The Last Resort' star Jovi Dufren messaged his former flame to ask what nights she worked at the strip club

For National Seafood Month (October) this year, I’d like to celebrate Cornish rope grown mussels and encourage more people to cook them at home. Juicy, sustainable, and nutritious, they are a lower-impact species but often consumed less than industrially caught seafood such as prawns, tuna, cod and salmon. They’re grown on long ropes out in St Austell Bay, and the best thing about them is they’re incredibly sustainable – feeding off the nutrient-rich water before being harvested, which means there’s no damage to any reefs or the shoreline. This also means they’re super clean with hardly any beards to cut off before cooking. They’re also great value at around a tenner for two decent bowlfuls, of which you can do so many recipes. I love classic moules marinière with onion, white wine and parsley, or, as below, mussels with spinach and cider – perfection! Mussels with spinach and cider Ingredients: 1.75kg mussels Handful of spinach leaves (when in season, these could be swapped for wild garlic) 2 shallots, finely chopped 15g butter 100ml Cornish cider, or your favourite local equivalent Plenty of crusty bread to soak up the sauce Method: 1. Wash the mussels under plenty of cold, running water. Discard any open ones that won’t close when tapped on a board. 2. Pull off any tough, fibrous beards attached to the tightly closed shells. Give the mussels another quick rinse to remove any little pieces of shell. 3. Soften shallots in the butter in a large pan. 4. Add the mussels and cider, turn up the heat, then cover and steam them open in their own juices for 3-4 minutes. Give the pan a good shake every now and then. 5. Add spinach and remove from the heat and allow to wilt. 6. Spoon into four large warmed bowls and serve with plenty of crusty bread. Jack Stein is chef director at Rick Stein Restaurants. You can buy Cornish rope grown mussels from Rick Stein online for £10. Read More Dear Pret, this is what a £7 sandwich should look like Pub grub: Three recipes from Tom Kerridge’s new cookbook From Nepal to Tibet: Eight warming dishes from the coldest places on earth Two seasonal stews to keep the chill off this autumn Farmers’ markets in autumn are a cornucopia of colour Spice up your life: Three recipes from Nadiya Hussain’s new book that bring the heat

'90 Day: The Last Resort' star Kalani Faagata wants to end her marriage to Asuelu Pulaa

With more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the British Isles, Jersey is a year-round destination that is equally appealing in the height of summer as it is in the bleak mid-winter. Whether you head to this corner of the Channel Islands to play around in the sea on paddleboards, kayaks and surfboards, or to explore award-winning museums and attractions, you’re bound to have a memorable holiday. For those interested in the island’s history, visit the Jersey War Tunnels, where exhibits tell the story of what life was like for islanders at the time of German occupation during the Second World War. You can also visit Elizabeth Castle, which was commissioned by Sir Walter Raleigh when he was governor of Jersey at the beginning of the 17th century. But where to stay? You might want to opt for a seaview hotel right on the golden sands of one of the island’s many beaches; a granite manor house surrounded by country walks, or perhaps somewhere in the heart of the cosmopolitan capital, St Helier. No matter in which part of the island you choose to stay, we’ve found the best hotels in Jersey that will provide a home away from home, whatever the season. The best hotels in Jersey are: Best spa hotel: Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa Best luxury hotel: Longueville Manor Best boutique hotel: Old Court House Inn Best budget hotel: Hotel de Normandie Best hotel for walkers: Château la Chaire Best family-friendly hotel: The Merton Best romantic hotel for couples: The Club Hotel and Spa Best beach hotel: L’Horizon Beach Hotel and Spa Best spa hotel: Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa Neighbourhood: St Helier Standing guard over Elizabeth Castle since 1890, this luxury hotel just off the Esplanade in St Helier has played host to royalty and aristocracy. There’s still a hint of the golden age of travel, with porters to take your bag and a concierge on hand to answer questions about where to go and what to see. However, it’s still a thoroughly modern hotel, with a champagne bar, cinema room and soothing spa. The heated indoor pool is complemented by a steam room and sauna, while Elemis treatments include biotec facials and hot-stone massages. After visiting the spa, cocoon yourself in a soft blanket in the low-lit relaxation room. Don’t miss the fine-dining restaurant Tassili, which holds four AA rosettes. Best luxury hotel: Longueville Manor Neighbourhood: St Saviour The island’s only Relais & Chateaux hotel, this granite manor house with an impressive circular drive oozes luxury from the minute you pull up at the imposing front door (lit by dozens of pillar candles on the stone steps if you arrive at night). With just 29 rooms and suites, the place never feels crowded, whether you are taking a stroll in the kitchen garden, swimming in the heated outdoor pool, walking in the extensive grounds or enjoying the hot tub in the bijou spa. Staff take the time to learn your names and preferences, so you feel looked after throughout your stay. Choose the tower suite to feel like the Lady of Shalott. Best boutique hotel: Old Court House Inn Neighbourhood: St Aubin With just 10 rooms in a building that dates back to the 15th century, this boutique inn is both characterful and affordable. Situated right on St Aubin’s harbour, you can watch the private yachts bob in the marina (or not, depending on the tide) and easily explore the art galleries and antique shops that make up St Aubin’s village. Rooms are all unique, with one boasting a roll-top bath and another an outdoor terrace with whirlpool tub. The menu (dine at the pub, restaurant or outdoor terrace) includes steaks, burgers and battered cod and chips, which you can wash down with the house ale. Best budget hotel: The Hotel de Normandie Neighbourhood: St Helier This is a great place to bed down if you’re on a budget. Close to the seawater bathing pool at Havre des Pas, Hotel de Normandie is within walking distance of St Helier’s town centre, from where you can catch buses all over the island (the hotel is also on a bus route into town, if you’re feeling lazy). Rooms in the Victorian gabled building are higgledy-piggledy, with single and family rooms in the mix, and most are fitted out smartly with colourful drapes at the windows and bright prints on the wall. The real boon is the heated indoor pool with whirlpool and sauna, which is unexpected at this price and welcome in the cooler months when the sea is less inviting. Best hotel for walkers: Château la Chaire Neighbourhood: Rozel Perched on a hillside high above Rozel Bay, this dog-friendly country house hotel has an old-fashioned charm and is a luxurious place to stay. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in the residents’ lounge, which is decorated with stucco plasterwork and antique furniture; or a slap-up meal in the wood-panelled restaurant. The gardens are full of botanical plants, and it’s from here you can enjoy panoramic view of the bay. In a matter of minutes, you can join one of Jersey’s most spectacular coastal walks along the cliff path that leads to Bonne Nuit Bay. A shorter walk in the opposite direction will take you to Saint Catherine’s breakwater, from where you can get boats to the outer islands of Les Écréhous. Best family-friendly hotel: The Merton Neighbourhood: St Saviour This is the closest Jersey gets to a resort hotel. Think evening tribute acts and bingo, buffet restaurant and swimming pool with flumes and lazy river. Needless to say, it’s popular with families, who can make use of rooms with bunk beds and the non-stop entertainment. Older kids will love the surf lessons on the flowrider (the only one on the island), too. The position is within walking distance of the town centre, from where you can pick up buses to all the major attractions and beaches, so it’s a good spot for a car-free holiday to Jersey. Best romantic hotel for couples: The Club Hotel Neighbourhood: St Helier The finest dining experience on the island is to be found in this unassuming hotel tucked away off a main road leading into the heart of Jersey’s capital St Helier. Having held a Michelin star for the best part of 20 years (despite chefs coming and going), the hotel’s restaurant, Bohemia, has established itself as a reliable destination to return to year after year. Tasting menus are always exquisite and accompanied by surprising wine pairings that take you out of your comfort zone. The celebratory feel of dining here makes it popular with couples looking for a romantic weekend away. You can also enjoy massage and beauty treatments in the compact spa; an indoor and outdoor pool with thermal suite, and a well stocked honesty bar. Best beach hotel: L’Horizon Beach Hotel and Spa Neighbourhood: St Brelade You can argue with locals for hours about which is the best beach but, if you do it often enough, you’ll regularly hear St Brelade being mentioned. It’s got everything you want: a perfect arc of golden sand; watersports such as paddleboarding, kayaking and waterskiing; life guards in the summer, and a promenade of shops and restaurants. Tucked away at the end of the promenade is L’Horizon hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the seaside idyll. An indoor swimming pool is favoured by the cold-shy in the shoulder seasons, while a spa serves up Elemis treatments. Read more of our Europe hotel reviews: Best Isle of Wight hotels Where to stay in Paris Best hotels on the Isles of Scilly Read more about Europe travel: The best hotels in Europe Europe’s best road trips Best budget European city breaks Read More The UK’s 10 favourite beaches and seaside holidays in Europe Best holiday destinations for November to get some late season autumn sun Best boutique hotels in Paris 2023: Stylish stays at lush locations The UK and Ireland’s best country house hotels for 2023 8 of the best wine tour holidays around the world Eight best Northern Lights holidays, short trips and packages

In a nutshell: In Amsterdam’s oldest five-star hotel, no two rooms are the same, restaurants serve up local cuisine, and a 1909 saloon boat offers tours of the city’s canals. The neighbourhood Amsterdam attracts visitors from all around the world thanks to its rich history, eclectic museums, bike lifestyle and coffee shop culture. The city is wonderfully walkable and the five-star Pulitzer hotel places you in prime location to explore all the Dutch capital has to offer. Looming over the canal belt and in the heart of the historic Nine Streets neighborhood (right out of a Wes Anderson movie), this quintessential district is brimming with boutique shops, charming cafes and enticing restaurants. Located five minutes down the canal, you’ll find Anne Frank’s house while the Museumplein (home to Rijksmuseum, the Van Gough museum and Moco), Amsterdam Centraal and Vondelpark are a mere 20 minute walk away. If you’re keen to cycle like a local, the hotel is equipped with Pulitzer bikes and the erudite concierge Ron Stoevelaar is on hand to show you the best routes. The look Set within 25 Golden Age canal houses, the Pulitzer forms an entire block in the Nine Streets area. Founded in 1970 by Peter Pulitzer (grandson of the Pulitzer Prize founder Joseph Pulitzer), the hotel went through a £1.5 million restoration in 2016. The hotel combines 17th century Dutch elements and mid-century design (think beamed ceilings, historic fireplaces, period antiques and an impressive collection of art, books and music) with contemporary features. Every nook (and there’s many) of the hotel offers a glance into the past – whether it’s in the library of Pulitzer Prize winning books, the lobby with Persian rugs and paintings or in the four luxury collectors suites. Exemplifying the old meeting the new, look out for what appears to be a 17th century painting of a floral bouquet in the lobby. A closer look will reveal it to be a photograph of melted cutlery by a contemporary artist. The vibe Oozing elegance and class, the Pulitzer’s architectually impressive buildings are enriched with antique pieces and Dutch design details. A beguiling space, the grand lobby has a buzzy atmosphere thanks to the laid-back Pulitzer Garden bar and eatery that are tucked away toward the back, while the check-in and concierge desks are warm and welcoming. Upon arrival, you’ll spy an eclectic clientele of 30-somethings talking over old fashioned cocktails at the bar, upmarket travellers in the mid-century armchairs, older couples chatting to the concierge and families feasting in the lobby’s Italian-inspired restaurant. Stepping out of the Pulitzer doors and onto the canal side, picturesque Amsterdam – without the chaos of the main streets – is on your doorstep (just try not to collide with any of the bikes swishing past). Bed and bath Despite being home to more than 200 rooms, the hotel has a cosy, boutique feel owing to the canal house layout and warren of mood-lit interlocking corridors (there’s much enjoyment to be had in getting lost in the Pulitzer). Each room is unique and inspired by an aspect of Dutch design. With themed-collectors suites, family size spaces and canal-view rooms – as well as generous, cosy and classic spaces available – there’s a room to suit every kind of traveller. Featuring decadent marble bathrooms (complete with luxury Debaser toiletries and well-pressured power showers), the rooms boast custom made headboards, a work desk with a mirror, mid-century drinks trolleys and chaise lounges. Thoughtful details such as bookshelves, a bike repair kit, an umbrella, French press and Dutch sweet treats all elevate the space, while windows either look out over the canal, the street below or the Pulitzer garden in the centre of the hotel. You can opt in or out of having your sheets changed each morning – the hotel reminds you of the importance of saving water – by placing a card on your bed. Food and drink There are two restaurants on site at the Pulitzer: the all-day dining eatery Jansz and the more laidback Pulitzer Garden restaurant. The former favours locally-sourced ingredients and classic Dutch cuisine, with the lunch and dinner line-up brimming with seasonal small plates, freshly caught fish dishes (the shrimp croquettes and octopus were a delight) and refined classics like burgers and steaks. Jansz is also where breakfast is served, with guests able to order a la carte (the omelette is a must) or try the continental buffet. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Pulitzer Garden has indoor and outdoor tables with a hearty menu inspired by Italian cuisine – think aubergine parmigiana, lobster spaghetti and chicken caesar salad. After dinner, be sure to head to the glamorous and deliciously moody Pulitzer Bar. Sink into the armchairs, sofas and bar stools to while away the evening with signature or classic cocktails (try the breakfast margarita and new Amsterdam). Public areas The neighbourhood-style complex includes the Jansz restaurant, Pulitzer Garden bar, restaurant and garden seating, the Pulitzer Bar and the resplendent lobby. Whether you’re a guest or not, the Pulitzer bar is a must-visit. Elegant and free from the havoc of city centre bars, the Art Deco-style bar looks over the canal and is the perfect spot for people watching. Open to guests, there’s also a 24-hour gym at the Pulitzer with machines, yoga mats, weights, towels and chilled water. When visiting the Pulitzer, you’ll notice two gleaming boats docked in front of the hotel. The Tourist (which famously took Winston Churchill on a trip through the city in 1946) and the smaller Belle are available for private and group tours for guests and the public at an extra cost. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the interiors are complete with polished teak and brass, luxurious carpeting, marble, leather and original bevelled glass. Lasting 90 minutes, the concierge’s guided cruises take you on a whistlestop tour of the city’s canals – and there’s a self-service mini bar for on-board drinks. Nuts and bolts Room count: 225 Freebies: Breakfast at Jansz restaurant (if included in your booking); gym access; Pulitzer tote bag; Pulitzer card deck; welcome stroopwafels; coffee or tea in the room. Wifi: Free. Extra charges: Room service; additional beds for children; pets. Disability access: There are fully fitted accessible guest rooms available to reserve. Pet policy: A small dog or cat is allowed in rooms at a cost of €50 per day. Bottom line Best thing: Impeccable service, prime location for exploring the city, excellent restaurants and an intimate bar. Worst thing: Some might not get on with the thin doors and walls in the bedroom (it is an old building after all), meaning you can occasionally hear movement in the corridor. Plus, we would have liked to see slightly more reasonable prices in the otherwise more laidback Pulitzer Garden restaurant. Perfect for: Upmarket travellers, foodies, couples and families. Not right for: Those after a budget city break. Instagram from: The moody Pulitzer bar, canal-view room, The Tourist boat tour or Jansz window tables. Room rate: Double rooms from £351 a night. Read more of our hotel reviews: The elegant Landmark Hotel London Luxury hotel meets B&B at The Dante House The Ritz-Carlton, Abama hotel review Read more on Amsterdam travel: Amsterdam travel guide: Best things to do Best hotels in Amsterdam Everything British tourists shouldn’t do in Amsterdam Read More Independent Traveller guide to best hotels and short breaks Best UK hotels 2022 Best hotels in Paris for 2023 Amsterdam travel guide: Best things to do and where to stay for a 2023 city break The best holidays to book for November, from winter sun in Oman to Scandi Christmas markets Best hotels in Europe 2023: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break