In March 1969, shortly after their wedding, John Lennon and Yoko Ono didn’t board a plane to a tropical island; instead, they checked into the Hilton Amsterdam on Apollolaan. They decided to transform their much-publicized honeymoon into a large-scale peace protest against the Vietnam War.
For seven days, they opened their suite to the international press, which was looking for a juicy scandal. What the journalists found instead transformed a hotel room forever into a world-famous cultural landmark.
A peace protest no one saw coming
When John Lennon and Yoko Ono opened their suite in the spring of 1969, the international press expected a sensational spectacle. Instead of a commotion, reporters found the couple lying very demurely in bed. Dressed in white pajamas, they talked about world peace beneath signs reading “Hair Peace” and “Bed Peace.”
For seven days, the press came and went on Apollolaan. Among the photographers, even the 15-year-old Govert de Roos slipped inside. Many critics dismissed the protest, but according to Lennon, that was exactly the point: he believed humor was the strongest weapon.
The mystery of Amsterdam suite number
Anyone who delves into the iconic John & Yoko Suite will quickly stumble upon a remarkable mystery. In historical archives and old newspaper photos from 1969, the number on the key is actually quite different from the well-known Suite 702. At the time, the couple stayed in Room 902.
That mystery is easily explained. During a major renovation of the Hilton in the 1990s, the floor layout and numbering changed. The physical space on Apollolaan remained in exactly the same spot, but was given the number 702 on the door. The room remained that way until its current closure.
Preserved for the 2027 reopening
The Hilton Amsterdam is currently undergoing a major renovation ahead of its reopening in 2027. Yet one specific space will remain completely unchanged. The 50-square-meter suite will remain fully intact as a historic landmark, including the original mementos of the famous peace protest.
Anyone wishing to stay there after the reopening will have to dig deep into their pockets. Even before the closure, rates ranged from €1,600 to over €2,100 per night, depending on the season. This means the iconic room will remain the hotel’s most exclusive suite well into the future.
