Visit Amsterdam

Let me publish another Amsterdam hotel review sent by Morgan from Italy.

“I made a reservation at Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre, a 4-star hotel in Amsterdam, following the reviews posted on various sites. The hotel’s excellent location was the major point of our choice. Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre was close to the Central Station (a 10 minute walk from the station) and we were in a location that allowed us to sightsee on foot: museums, the Dam square, the Red Light District as well as tons of restaurants, shops and small grocery markets were within walking distance from Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre. We had no problems finding a place to eat or pick up odds and ends.

Possibly due to the reservation, check in at the hotel was very smooth. The staff at the reception desk, as well as throughout the hotel, were very polite and attentive. Moreover they were well-informed about the city sights. The rate was around €178 per night for a double room. Not the cheapest price for a 4-star Amsterdam hotel, I guess, but we still could afford it. Our room was big enough based on EU average. The bed was comfortable, and the minibar well stocked. However, minibar prices are unbelievable: a bottle of Coke cost 7 euros! It was the most expensive coke I’ve ever drank! The bathroom was a bit of a squeeze, but the shower pressure was fine. Overall the room felt a little tired, although it was spotlessly clean.

The first day we were at Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre the hotel was overcrowded because of the conference. Luckily, it ended the following day.

We liked the hotel and probably stay there again.”

Today’s post is devoted to NH Doelen, a 4-star cheap Amsterdam hotel. This hotel review has been sent by Pablo from Switzerland.
“I visited Amsterdam this summer and spent a week at NH Doelen. This cheap Amsterdam hotel is located close to the Central Station and Amsterdam’s most popular places of interest are within easy reach from the hotel. In case you are not keen of walking, there are plenty of tram connections nearby, so there won’t be any problems with reaching the city sights.

I guess they had spent a lot of money on their reception area and the lobby because they looked very lovely and elegant.
The decor of my room on the third floor was a little tired looking and could use an update; the furniture was a bit old-fashioned, but as long as I got a good price, the location of the hotel was central, I had a nice view of the Amstel out of my window and all I was doing at the hotel was sleeping so why I should complain! There was everything I needed: television, minibar, telephone, hairdryer, alarm clock and coffee and tea making facilities. I heard that some guests experienced noise, but I could hear just usual outside noise from the canal, which could hardly be controlled by the hotel staff.

I didn’t try the food served for breakfast , so I can’t comment on that.

Overall, NH Doelen was good inexpensive Amsterdam hotel, I didn’t have any problem and I liked the price, so I will probably stay there again.”

Here is a hotel review from Jeremy, which I received a couple of days ago.“Actually, I originally planned to stay in another cheap Amsterdam hotel arriving on a Saturday morning, but I was terribly upset about the hotel where I intended to stay even though I had read good reviews for it on different websites. Anyway, Amsterdam Hotel RobertRamon was one of the few cheap Amsterdam hotels to have rooms available at an affordable rate in a good area. Hotel RobertRamon was located in a lovely area at the south of the city centre right in the heart of the Museum district. The Leidseplein and Vondel Park were within walking distance from the hotel.

My room on the fourth floor was clean and comfortable for the price I paid, and it was quiet at night. It had everything I needed for a short stay in Amsterdam: a private bathroom, a deposit box, a telephone, a desk, a flat TV and free wireless internet. In the entire hotel there was a wireless Internet connection available to owners of a laptop.

Unfortunately, breakfast was not included and costs EUR 15.00 per person. Breakfast was OK and fresh, although it was the same everyday: cereal, fruit salad, bread, cheese, hams, boiled eggs, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Of course, if you prefer something different, i.e. pancakes, waffles, etc., it’s better to go out for breakfast.

Probably, I will stay at Hotel RobertRamon next time when I am in Amsterdam. I liked the friendly hotel staff and unobtrusive service.”

Today I am going to publish Mark’s review about one of the cheapest Amsterdam hotels - Hotel Y boulevard.
“I am a student and as you can guess I don’t stink of money, so the cheaper the place the better. And I really don’t understand those travelers who complain so much about cheap and budget accommodations – well, when you pay €60 per person per night in the centre of Amsterdam, you shouldn’t expect the Ritz! So, the price was the main reason why I chose Hotel Y boulevard, a 2-star cheapest hotel in Amsterdam. Moreover, the hotel were in a good location - in Amsterdam city centre, near the Central Station.

Some of the nearby attractions were maritime museum, science centre ‘Nemo’ and the Dam square.
The reception staff were helpful, concerned and polite. Hotel service was average, the room was ordinary and clean enough, the bed was reasonably comfy (no bed bugs!). I had a private shower and toilet. The shower was great - hot and powerful, towels were changed daily. There was a television,but I can’t comment on the channels available as I think that spending time on watching TV when in Amsterdam is a real crime! There is so much to see and to do here!

The inclusive Dutch breakfast was substantial with a good choice of food, juices, tea and coffee.

All in all, I think cheap Amsteram hotel - Hotel Y boulevard was OK considering the price I paid.”

My friend Marbee was so kind to provide me with Hotel Bilderberg Garden review. One of her friends stayed there during his visit to Amsterdam.“I stayed at the budget Amsterdam hotel -  Bilderberg Garden Hotel with my uncle for 4 nights. Some people prefer to stay right in the center of the city, but they have to cope with the loud and rowdy atmosphere. As for me, I prefer to stay out of the tourist centre, and that was the reason why I booked Bilderberg Garden Hotel which is situated in a quiet, pleasant neighbourhood. This afforfable Amsterdam hotel is about a 30 min walk into the busy, noisy part of Amsterdam. If you don’t want to walk, trams are also very convenient to get to the city center. Nevertheless, there are some popular places around the hotel - the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum are within a 10 minute walk from Bilderberg Garden Hotel.

Overall, Bilderberg Garden Hotel was very clean and comfortable. We were offered an executive room on the top floor.  It was spacious enough with modern decor and functional furniture which seemed pretty new. The beds were amazing, large and very comfortable. All necessary amenities were there: air conditioning, Wi-Fi internet access, coffee and tea facilities, bath robes, slippers, a mini bar, pay-tv, and a de-luxe bathroom with Jacuzzi.

Breakfast was not included and I found it to be outrageously overpriced - 21 Euros per person. But breakfast was great with so much choice given.

The hotel personnel were nice, friendly and spoke good English. They were also ready to help with useful information about the local area and directions.

Overall, we were satisfied with the service level and the hotel’s location. We would probably stay at Bilderberg Garden Hotel in Amsterdam again.”

Here is a letter from a traveler who stayed in budget Amsterdam Hotel - Mercure Hotel Amsterdam aan de Amstel.“We have just returned from a 3-night stay in Mercure Hotel Amsterdam aan de Amstel. It was overall a very positive experience.

To be honest, the hotel is quite a distance outside of the city. But there is a tram that hotel guests can take into the center of Amsterdam. It’s very handy that guests can buy tram tickets at the reception desk, or they can buy tickets on the tram (tram stop is in a 5-minute walk from Mercure Hotel Amsterdam aan de Amstel). It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to get to the main square in Amsterdam. As for us, we live in London and prefer walking so therefore did not think of the hotel’s location away from the centre to be of much concern.

The hotel was very nice and clean. Our room was very nicely decorated and furnished. Our beds were a little narrow (actually, we were hoping for larger beds) but very comfy to sleep in. The air conditioning worked just fine.

There aren’t many places to eat around the hotel and the local area lacks activities. So, it’s advisable to have breakfasts in the hotel. Breakfast was more than enough to start the day off: cereal, eggs, meat, toast, fruits, yogurt, tae, coffee, juice, etc.

So, if you don’t mind this Amsterdam hotel’s location, then Mercure Hotel Amsterdam aan de Amstel is a good choice - clean, affordable, and quiet.”

Today I publish a letter from a student named Dave, who has recently traveled to Amsterdam with some of his friends.“I went to Amsterdam with a group of friends to spend a couple of days. We wanted a cheap Amsterdam hotel or a room in a hostel, as we were traveling on budget. The most important thing was the hotel’s central location. Our choice was Hotel Manofa, a 1-star budget hotel. We didn’t expect anything special from such cheap Amsterdam accommodation. Four of us stayed in a 4-bed-room which was about EUR 27 per night: it was probably the cheapest Amsterdam hotel we could find anywhere in Amsterdam. Anyway, it was definitely better than sharing a room with 20 strangers in a hostel somewhere in the suburbs.

What people are afraid of when staying in cheap hotel rooms? Probably, they are afraid of mice, rats and bedbugs. There were no mice, no rats and no bed bugs in Hotel Manofa. Of course, our room was really small and old, but the linen was sort of clean and our towels were changed every day. The window of our room faced onto another hotel, but that didn’t matter as we were not going to sit in front of the window watching Amsterdam: we were just a group of young men wanting to have fun, so the hotel choice was not bad at all!

I can’t comment on the food as there were lots of nice places for snacks and coffee and some other kind of eateries on the main street of Manofa.

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend Hotel Manofa in Amsterdam for people traveling with kids or business travelers, but the hotel is OK for students traveling on the cheap.”