Maria G.
Yelp
I totally relied on my fellow yelpers on choosing this hotel to stay in Amsterdam and i loved it. I love my fellow yelpers!
My friend and I didnt get to check in until around 5pm. By then, our reservation of two single beds were all taken so they upgraded (free of charge) us to a bigger room with two single beds. Originally we should pay 115 euros but we got the upgraded room (around 155 euros i believe) for the same price. The room is clean and spacious. Bathroom is nice. We have a small balcony that faces the canal and clock tower. Because our room is right next to the major street and my friend and I were tired after days of travelling, we wanted to go to bed early; it was slightly noisy outside of the hotel (by the time we decided to go to bed which was right around midnight-ish) just because the major street is located so nearby. But it was not really a major problem at all. The beds were very comfortable so we both slept very well.
They have internet here but you have to pay just like many other places in Europe (nobody really told me that you have to always pay for internet and the use of restrooms in Europe before my trip!!!). For wireless connection, it is 2.5 euros for one hour or 5 euros for 24 hours. You can connect and disconnect at anytime and the connection is valid for 3 months. You may also check out an Ethernet cable for 10 euros deposit i believe. I saw this information on the info booklet but i was not sure if that is what they meant. So dont quote me on the ethernet cable option.
They take your credit card information at the time of reservation. However, they do not charge your physical card until you check-out. They told us its because normally people change their mind at the point of check-out such as they do not have enough cash or they wish to use a different credit card. They accept the last minute changes. Unlike other hotels that charge you up front, you cannot change your mind for your type of payment even though your credit card is maxed out or you are out of cash. They do so because sometimes people have to change plans during travels and it is easier for them to charge people at check-out rather than have to change type of payment.
I think the staff at the reception are nice. Like many other hotels, they can take your postcards or mails and save it for weekday delivery/pick-ups so you dont have to go out and find a mailbox or post office. But there are also mailboxes under the clock tower (right across from the street) that collect mails 7 days a week.
Because our room is upgraded, it has a fantastic view of the city! We also have kitchen supplies like stove top, dish soap, dishsoap sponge, and other typical supplies like cups and coffeemaker.
This hotel is next to a canal and tram station. At the tram station next to the canal, I believe the tram 14 (from the side of the hotel) take you to Anne Frank House from there; tram number 16 or 24 on the other side of the street take you to the Van Gogh museum.
The tourist attractions are all very close by. The red light district is about 10 to 15 minutes walk up north. By foot, you can also walk to the Anne Frank house which would probably take up to 20 or 30 minutes. Walk south to a block (not the one right next to the canal, but the one after) you can find burger places, mini markets, burger king, subway, pizza restaurant, wok, etc.
Regarding the review in May of 2011 from our fellow yelper, by the time I got to the hotel, the street in front of it was still under construction. However, my friend and I traveled there from other cities in europe so we only had our backpacks with us thus the construction was not a major problem for us.
Also just a general tip for travelling to Amsterdam, when my friend and I got off the train at central station, we headed to its information office that has pre-sale tickets and city metro passes. We bought a map for 2.5 euros from one of its machines but it turned out to be completely unnecessary. You can just find free maps from other places like on the metro bus booklet or hotels.