I chose this gem based on a variety of offerings from a friend who works as an American Express…read moreplatinum card travel agent. Firstly, the property has a FANTASTIC location for two major reasons to me; it is a short walking distance (about 8 minutes with luggage) from the #397 bus stop to/from Schiphol Airport AND it is about the same distance to/from the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.
I opted to take the continental breakfast. Good choice! I'm a breakfast-eating American. The offerings were the usual rolls, bread for toast, croissants, cold cereal, yogurt, cheese, and cold cuts, as well as coffee or tea. They also had a grill for eggs or pancakes. Since there weren't many guests that chose this option when I was there, I opted to take a little extra for my late morning snack. There's nothing like a little cheese on a fresh roll when you've spent the morning walking.
To the north is a major thoroughfare, Weteringschans, which will initiate any newcomer to Amsterdam on how to safely navigate the crossing of a street that has a heavy and steady flow of bicycles. If you go in the opposite direction, you will find Singelgracht, which is a delightful canal nearby. I took to the opposite direction and found some magnificent, small restaurants that had international flavor (I ended up dining in a small Chinese restaurant that made dinner for me based on the names of dishes that I had written down in Chinese; these meals weren't on the map).
Oh, and another plus about this location is that it is walking distance from the Heiniken Brewery, which is across the street from where I boarded the boat for the canal tour. The clerk in the lobby of the Nicolaas Witsen Hotel made the reservation for me and printed out the receipt.
I'm a bit thrifty with food. While I love to explore restaurants, I also like to have a little something at the ready for myself. There is an Albert Heijn grocery store just up the street near the Vijzelgracht metro station. The offerings were native as well as international options. The produce was not exactly Farmers Market quality, but then again I was there in mid-February.
I had purchased the OV-Chipkaart to use the metro, trams, and buses. At the metro station NEARBY the Nicolaas Witsen Hotel, I was able to load the OV-Chipkaart with extra money to use transit. The machines don't always work in markets because a specific type of credit card is needed (i.e., Maestro).
My room at the Nicolaas Witsen Hotel? It was not a palace, but it was immaculate! I had a wardrobe closet that held all of my garments and my winter coat and hoodie. The Internet connection was very fast. I also marveled at how enormous the tub was. I made sure to bathe every day! Their cable almost always had some program that was of interest, but I preferred to listen to the radio that was at the head of my bed. The clock on the radio was easier for me to see than my cell phone clock or my computer clock.
My room faced the front and there was construction on the street. But, construction takes place during the day and I was out and about so I never heard it. I did hear the occasional sound of the tram wheels, but I grew up in San Francisco and that sound is one of comfort and nostalgia for me.
The elevator (lift) was in full service the entire time I was there. I did use the spiral stairs every now and again just to see what the experience would be like.
I'm also a green traveller and wasn't staying long so I did not opt for housekeeping service during my visit. I asked for two extra towels and I found keeping the room tidy on my own was quite easy.
I sing the praises of this hotel because it is located close to things to do as well as being near major transportation. Staff speaks English. The hotel still uses the old-fashioned room key and guests are asked to surrender the key when they leave the hotel and to ask for the room key upon return.
I thoroughly enjoyed the intimate feeling of the hotel and would strongly recommend this property as an excellent value.
About the only thing that I might say that is not a positive, is that the room did not have a small fridge. However, I did not ask for one while I was there. I don't know whether or not that is an option, but then again I was there in February and was able to keep my dairy products safe by leaving them on the window sill by the open window (I was on the floor just above the ground floor).
Feel free to ask me any questions. I will be happy to reply!
PS - I am a map person and if you are interested in looking at the venue via map, here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/yx8haphk