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 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 traveler to Amsterdam, who describes her impressions about Amsterdam American Hotel, a 4-star Amsterdam hotel.“My husband and I stayed at the American Hotel Amsterdam for his 45th birthday in February, 2008. Some of our close friends had stayed here last year and recommended this Amsterdam hotel. They were right and we were not disappointed – we spent a really fabulous time there.

We e-mailed the hotel the night before we arrived and asked (if possible) for a view of canal. We were offered a room on the 6-th floor; it was spacious and comfortable with the windows overlooking the canal. The room was just perfect for us! There was the biggest and the most comfortable bed I have ever seen in hotel rooms. Our room was and the bed linen was spotlessly clean and it was nice to have tea and coffee making facilities in our hotel room. We did not hear any noise at night and slept very well.

We enjoyed several delicious cocktails and snacks at the Cafe Americain and Bar Americain and the service wasperfect. We only once had breakfast in the restaurant and the hot and cold buffet was perfectly acceptable.

Amsterdam American Hotel was a very good base for exploring Amsterdam, because most of the city sights were not far from the hotel. Moreover, the tram which is the best and the cheapest way to get around the city, was running near the hotel and we were able to see a lot of local places of interest and do some shopping.

I would definitely recommend this inexpensive but not so cheap Amsterdam Hotel and I am looking forward to celebrate my coming birthday there too.”

I have got a letter from Steven, a traveler from Spain, who shared his impressions about Jolly Hotel Carlton Amsterdam. Here it is.“I love the Netherlands and we have a lot of friends there, that’s why we often travel there, at least once or twice a year. Even though we know Amsterdam quite well, it has been difficult to find an appropriate top-end Amsterdam hotel at a reasonable price. We have stayed in numerous so-called top-end Amsterdam hotels and found out that some of them don’t measure up to first class European hotels. Jolly Hotel Carlton in the heart of the city of Amsterdam was a pleasant exception and I think we have found our best deluxe Amsterdam hotel at last.

We booked a deluxe room on the 5th floor which had a nice view over Muntplein. Our room in Jolly Hotel Carlton Amsterdam was on the warm side of the hotel, but there was an air conditioner which worked very well and was very effective, so we could easily escape from the outside heat. Our room was of average size. It was clean and well equipped with bath, toilet, mini-bar, safe deposit box, pay-TV, TV, telephone, wireless Internet connection, radio, coffee and tea making facilities, hair dryer, alarm-clock, trouser press, working desk. Bathroom was very nice and the shower was the best I’ve ever found in Amsterdam hotel. Unfortunately, it was a little noisy at night but it wasn’t a real problem for us as we are not light sleepers.

Breakfast was not included, so we decided to eat outside as there a lot of cosy places to eat near Jolly Hotel Carlton Amsterdam. That’s why we can’t comment on the food served in the hotel.

The location of Jolly Hotel Carlton is ideally located for exploring Amsterdam. It is close to famous flower market, Dam square, the Vondelpark and the Museumplein.

We liked Jolly Hotel Carlton in Amsterdam and highly recommend it.”

Here is a letter from Michael from Vienna about Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam which has 242 rooms and suites, including Business Class, Executive rooms and two luxurious Suites. Thank you for sharing information with us.

“We booked rooms in Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam about four month earlier as we were going to visit Amsterdam at Easter, which, I think, one of the peak seasons in the Netherlands. Prices in Hotel Radisson SAS Amsterdam seemed to be a little cheaper compared to other Amsterdam hotels ranked 4-stars.

I sent an e-mail to Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam, that I would like a non-smoking room with two beds on a high floor with a good view out of the window. On our arrival we were really pleased that the hotel staff took into consideration our wishes: we got a room on the upper floor with a good view. Our room was really nice and cosy, properly furnished and big enough for us. Our room had all main comforts, such as a big TV set with lots of channels, air-conditioner, iron, kettle, trousers press, phone, etc. The shower in the bathroom was very powerful and the added luxury of toiletries, bathrobe and slippers gave a homely feel. Wireless internet was available in the entire hotel and it was free of charge, there also were two computers downstairs with free internet access.

Breakfast wasn’t included and cost EUR 24.50 per person, which seemed too expensive for us, so we decided to eat outside. There are plenty of nice cafes with good and cheap food close to Radisson SAS Amsterdam.

All in all, Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam is a very good hotel in central but quiet location with friendly staff. I would recommend this hotel for people looking for a nice place to stay in Amsterdam.”

Today I am going to publish a letter about Golden Tulip Amsterdam Centre, a 4-star comfortable hotel in the center of Amsterdam.

“I have recently traveled to Amsterdam with my family and we had a lovely stay at the Golden Tulip Amsterdam Center. The strongest point of this comfortable Amsterdam hotel is undoubtedly its prime location in the center of everything: near Dam Square and Central Station, close to the area with shops and restaurants, within walking distance to Madame Tussauds and the Red Light District. There was a tram stop exactly round the corner from the Golden Tulip Amsterdam Center, so getting around the city was quick and cheap.

We settled in an Executive room. It was clean, and everything was in working order. Even though our room actually was too small for a family, it was very well planned so it looked spacious and cosy. The following amenities were available in our room: bath, shower, toilet, free coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, in-room personal safe, free wireless Internet, a trouser press, bath accessories and a daily newspaper.

There were two points about Golden Tulip Amsterdam Center which I would like to be changed: very loud air conditioner and no direct access to the microwave oven for guests, which made it very difficult to prepare food for our baby.

Buffet breakfast was not included in our room rate so we had to pay EUR 16.50 per person. It was very satisfying.

All in all, we had a pleasant stay in Golden Tulip Amsterdam Center and I think we will definitely stay here again if we turn out to be in Amsterdam again.”