I've been to the IC once and I found the design to be extremely tired. The location, despite the beautiful Amstel view, is not the best. As for the design, there is nothing contemporary about it (you should find pics on the IC thread).

As for De l'Europe, it's one of my favorite hotels in Europe. Never really got the time to write a trip report unfortunately but here are a few thoughts :

. i'm really fond of the design ( something between classical and modern, with warm colors reminiscent of Dutch paintings). I've booked a junior suite through DavidO the last time I was there and I was upgraded one category to a regular suite, with canal view and a really small juliet balcony (room 302, lots of light and a beautiful view)

. Service is on par with what we call luxury on this forum but that's to be expected with the price they charge and the size of the hotel (close to a hundred rooms so you won't find any large scale convention bothering patrons). It's close to a "boutique" feel and they remember you. They've done wonders when it comes to small touches (ex : the front desk opening without asking anything the terrace of one of the banquet rooms at 4 in the morning in order to enjoy with a friend the canal and them delivering room service there which remains a good memory up to today )

. Location is, at least for my needs, perfect. You're 15 min from the Thalys station, and a 15 min walk to Vondelpark and the major cultural activites. It's a quiet neighbourhood, and you have a deli/brasserie which is quite popular among the locals on the same street (Café de Jaren)

. Lap pool and Gym offer view on the canal and have a terrace, though during winter i believe the terrace access is closed

After, here are a few drawbacks :

. Freddys Bar is a really nice place to have a drink (that's a PLUS) but it is small (but has a really comfortable smoking lounge with cigars) and tends to get overcrowded easily on weekends. They do not prioritize hotel guests unless being told, but the service recovery afterwards was agreable
. Internet is free, they've got Ipads in every room but internet reception can be a nightmare depending on where your room is located. First time in a deluxe street view room it was okay (speed similar to what FS offers for free nowadays) but while staying in a canal view suite I could not connect my devices (Ipad or computer)
. I still haven't figured out why, but I've specifically asked to have twin beds (staying with friends) each time I went there, through direct booking or TA, and each time they told me it was confirmed and failed to deliver. Despite their saying, I'm still not sure they actually have something else than double beds at this hotel.

In my opinion, only the IC and the De l'Europe fit this forum standard. Being a twenty-something, De l'Europe is more attractive, especially given the tired design of the IC (and I'm fond of classical design). But service at both will satisfy your needs, Nba1017.