When we arrived, we were met with an unpleasant odor, which seemed to be either insecticide or the Israeli Dead Sea hand and body wash provided by the hotel. The location looks great on a map because it is close to the museums, but once you compare prices with other nearby hotels, you realize this one is not worth it, especially once the 12.5 percent city tax at check-in is added.
That first impression carried over into the rest of the stay. I do not know if you can fully visualize the place from the hotel's posted images, but this is what it looks like and what it could have looked like. If you are considering a hotel near the museum, one would expect a certain appreciation and respect for art. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is rather dingy and dark, reminiscent of Van Gogh's early period when his work reflected shadow and heaviness. Recognizing that such darkness did not appeal to collectors, Van Gogh later transformed his style, embracing light, nature, and vibrant colors that eventually made him one of the most celebrated artists in the world. The hotel, by contrast, has not undergone such a transformation, leaving guests with an impression of neglect rather than inspiration.
When our room was finally ready, we expected some assistance since we are elderly travelers with enough luggage for a two-week excursion. To our surprise, there was no bellman nor luggage cart available. In the end, two young lady employees kindly helped us haul everything up to our higher-floor room. It did not feel like a class act.
Even basic amenities were disappointing. If you are someone who likes to use a wash towel when showering, be prepared to bring your own or buy one from a local euro shop, because the hotel does not provide them. On top of that, you need to insist at the front desk if you want your towels replaced. The hotel claims this is part of an eco-friendly policy, but in reality it comes across as inconvenient and careless toward guests.
At the end of the day, when you are ready to relax and catch up on world events, the room television will not help you. Neither CNN nor BBC News was available. Instead, the only international channel offered was TRT, the Turkish Erdogan state network. The manager, Mark, assured me that he would look into this issue, but later a hotel technician admitted the televisions are simply too old and need to be replaced.
Staff interactions did not help improve the stay. They were often marked by stress, indifference, or even arrogance, which left a negative impression. However the breakfast was good.
For future visits to Amsterdam, I would choose accommodations closer to the train station or in the city center. Both areas are very well connected by excellent public transportation and it is easy to reach the museums from there without overpaying for a disappointing hotel. read more