Amstelzicht

( 3 stars , Amsterdam , Netherlands )

This review deals with the Hotel Amstelzicht. I stayed there for 3 nights last August (2005), and left because of a number of problems, including an amazing incident of barefaced rudeness. Unfortunately, I had signed the American Express receipt at the beginning of the stay, and because of this technicality the hotel was able to keep my entire payment, almost two thousand dollars. Here are my notes, exactly as I jotted them down on the day I left the Amstelzicht. "Hallways worn, tired, almost dirty, carpets getting threadbare (a hall window is cracked on the second floor landing); the room was not entirely clean (dark bedspread couldn't disguise hairs of earlier guests); I had to ask for a new roll of toilet paper on the first day, since the last one was at its end; noisy courtyard overflowing with garbage; every night, muffled bass dance beats from the Hoff van Holland, backing the other side of the courtyard (entrance on the Rembrandtplein) starting at about one or two and ending at 4:30 AM); curtains and drapes ineffective at screening light from sky rise apartments at side of courtyard; staff discourteous, almost contemptuous, co-owner laughed at my complaint of rudeness by another co-owner, refused to apologize, corrected me though he was not present for the incident and implied I was lying -- then said he intended to charge entire two weeks on my American Express card though I was turning in my key and leaving after three nights; after which he was reluctant to give me a receipt. He refused to discuss the matter further, and when I said I would take the matter up with customer service at American Express, he laughed and said, "Yes, do that." Other quotes: "The room is fine. The noise does not come from the hotel so the hotel is not responsible." Also, "Maybe you would prefer a big hotel with a hospitality director." Beware: this is not so much a hotel as a warehouse where you are stored in a featureless box with a kitschy painting and a worn down carpet above a noisy and dirty courtyard. There is little warmth or comfort or character -- even the entrance hall is cold and institutional (entering the Hotel Amstelzicht is like walking into a public high school or a prison)." I am absolutely sickened by my experience and cannot recommend the hotel.

+ Comfortable, clean good location - N/a

+ The hotel had the perfect location, it was one minute walk from one of the main squares in amsterdam for night clubs and entertainment, it was also 5-10 minutes walk from red light. location 10/10 - Stairs are very steep so beware is if you have problems with stairs

+ Very conveniently located; helpful staff carried my heavy suitcase up the very steep stairs for me. cable worked. room was a quad and was very roomy. seemed clean. - Although the room was clean, it was very run down. lamp missing shade. full kitchenette was nice- too bad there were no dishes or table to eat at. kids and i ate on the beds. shower quite backed up; since the shower was right next to the toilet and sink (naturally) but was not in a shower stall (open shower like a ship) anyone going to the bathroom had to remove shoes/socks or wait an hour for water to trickle down drain. i mentioned this to staff and he kindly said, "i'll make a note of that." gee, thanks. price was good for location and size. i got the impression that the actual hotel rooms were a lot nicer than our quad, which was actually in a separate apartment building (and was, indeed, an apartment.) some apartment dwellers came in very late (3:30, and were drunkenly loud) and others were romantically audible, also in the middle of the night. walls very thin...

+ The staff were very friendly and helpful. the hotel was very clean and its location was ideal. not having breakfast at the hotel is a great idea as you are under no pressure to get there on time and you have a huge choice when you do decide to have it. - The room we had did not have much of a view. but friends of ours had one with a great view so its pot luck i guess.

+ Nothing. The apartment beside the hotel was shabby and very smelly with old furniture. - too much noise. we stayed in a 4-persons-room in an annex building, where we could not sleep the Saturday night at all because the base sounds of disco music went o

+ Excellent location, in the very center of amsterdam. the apartement for 2 people (120 €/day) has an outstanding value for money and a wonderful view on the nearby canal. - Steep stairs (quite usual in amsterdam)

+ The staff was very very friendly and helpfull in finding your way around amsterdam. the shower and the bathroom were also quite clean and tidy which most of us people do aprove of. - There were unwashable stains on the cheets of the bed and some of the lamps didn't always work but those are minor remarks about the hotel, there is nothing else negatove to commend on

+ The location is good, nice views of the canal. also the hotel room was comfy and clean and the staff were very helpfull and told us the best places to visit. - If you want a good view, ask before hand as we didnt get the view we wanted.

+ The hotel is very clean and good location. the staff are very friendly and couldn't do enough for us.