Amsterdam Castle selling for $5.6M

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) — There’s a unique castle for sale in Amsterdam — not Europe but Montgomery County! Like something out of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, the majestic Amsterdam Castle hotel is being sold for 5.6 million dollars and the owner wants his successor to preserve its quality.

Owner Nigel Ghotbi is selling now because he’s approaching retirement age. Unlike himself, he wants his hotel — built in the 1800s by the same architect as New York’s Capital Building — to be timeless. 

“This will be enjoyed by my great-grandchildren. A generic hotel will only last as long as the mortgage and then it just dissipates and comes apart," said Ghotbi.

We mentioned the show Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous, and Ghotbi was like its host Robin Leach. His grand tour of the castle included the Kenndy room — visited by JFK during the 1960 campaign — classic artwork, and huge modern hotel rooms. The native Brit and Greek who's accustomed to these structures back home, wants this all conserved. 

“Places like this do not get preserved. And I'm a classical person and it took me four years and $4 Million to preserve it" said Ghotbi.

Seems like it all paid off — “Everything you see is a booking” Ghotbi explained.

The hotel owner showed us a computer spreadsheet filled with booked rooms spanning one to six hundred dollars per night. He says despite his Montgomery County location, he's so successful his prices can exceed New York City. He even showed us a wall full of handwritten guest compliments.

And there’s more work to be done for the 27-room hotel. 

“And I'm intended to expand it to 50 or 60 rooms but it's going to take some time and a lot of capital, and I’m hoping my successor would do that” Ghotbi explained.

While Ghotbi says he has many offers, he's waiting for the right one before selling.