(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Columbia University neighbor Amsterdam House Nursing Home, a classically beautiful building that keeps pace with the stateliness of the surrounding residential area. Little trees thrive in the paved and furnished outdoor area. Small groups of residents socialized in the hallway seating areas during our tour. Warmth and compassion characterize the staff's demeanor toward residents, many of whom struck us as unusually energetic. The facility is proudly affiliated with New York Presbyterian Healthcare System, through which they provide onsite medical and dental care. Pastels mix with bolder hues in the elegant interior, which includes both tile and wood floors. Tall wood doors with glass insets give the lamplit common rooms a gothic feel. An imposing grandfather clock, upholstered chairs and couches, oil paintings and wood tables contribute to the handsome décor. Cocktail parties are held in a smoking room outfitted with a bar. A gift shop, library and arts and crafts room round out the common areas. French doors reveal the lovely dining area, which evokes an upscale restaurant with its formal linen and waitstaff. The facility provides classic dark wood furnishings that bolster the homey quality of the personal belongings in residents' rooms. Partial walls lend an element of privacy in the shared rooms. Windows, wall sconces, lamps and overhead fixtures suffuse the rooms with light. In the dementia unit, we observed a supervisor educating staff on security with the help of an amused dementia resident, who gladly assisted by setting off the elevator's alarm system! Our guide's twenty-five year tenure has made her an authority on the facility and its residents. Amsterdam House is the perfect place for seniors who desire state-of-the-art facilities and care in an elegant, upscale setting.