DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station — Hotel in Amsterdam

I have been staying at the DoubleTree Amsterdam Centraal for almost 15 years, mostly on business trips. I have always appreciated the warm welcome, the unbeatable location directly next to the train station, and the fact that it sits slightly away from the crowds heading into the red-light district. For a long time, this combination made it my go-to hotel in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately, my most recent stay was disappointing on several levels.

When I checked into my first room, I immediately noticed an unpleasant, vomit-like odor and a generally stuffy atmosphere. I reported this at the front desk, and while the team assured me that the air conditioning would be checked during my business meeting, nothing had improved when I returned later. The air conditioning still smelled odd and did not cool properly. When I raised the issue again, the reaction from the reception team bordered on impolite. I was told that the malfunction was due to my not closing the blackout blinds — an explanation that felt both dismissive and inappropriate, particularly since the weather outside was stormy and rainy, not sunny.

After further discussion, I was finally offered a room change, which I gladly accepted. I would like to highlight the efforts of Eliot and the concierge Duncan, who handled this situation professionally and made sure the process went smoothly. The new room was much better — at least at first.

The following day, however, I returned at 5:00 p.m. to find that my room had not been serviced at all, despite my having left it at 9:15 a.m. Several calls to housekeeping were needed before someone came. The young staff member reluctantly cleaned the bathroom and provided fresh towels but left the bed unmade. When I asked why the room had not been serviced, I was told that supervisors check rooms at 9:00 a.m. and permanently exclude any room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign at that time. As someone who spends 60–100 nights in hotels each year, I found this explanation unacceptable. In all other hotels I stay at, rooms are cleaned even if the guest leaves later in the morning.

On top of this, I also noticed moldy silicone joints in the shower — something I would not expect in a hotel charging well over €300 per night.

In summary: perhaps I was simply unlucky, but taken together — the malfunctioning air conditioning, the mold in the bathroom, the poor housekeeping service, and the sharply increased room rates — this stay left me with the impression of a property where management is more focused on maximizing short-term profit than on maintaining the long-term loyalty of repeat guests.

Because of the hotel’s excellent location, I will give it one more chance. But if I experience anything similar again, I will start looking for an alternative for my stays...

This has to be the best place to stay in Amsterdam for location, rooms, service and the food.

Check out our travels: Khanadians on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

LOCATION: under 10 minutes walk from Centraal Station, where almost all local, regional and international trains depart and arrive. So whether you are arriving from the airport, from another city in The Netherlands, or even an international destination, you can walk over and be checked into your room within a matter of minutes. The location is also convenient for exploring Amsterdam, with most destinations within walking distance, such as the Red Light district, the Flower Market, many shops and restaurants and the local bus and tram network is just outside. Many boats can also be found outside for exploring the canals. ROOMS: ours was a King Executive Corner suite which looked recently renovated. It was very spacious, with a super comfortable King Bed, a sofa and ottoman for relaxing by the window which offered amazing views over the canal and central Amsterdam. There was complementary water and juice in the fridge, Nespresso, plenty of closet space with safe and an iron, and plush towels and robe in the bathroom with good quality toiletries. We didn’t try the room service but the menu looked extensive. SERVICE: right at check in, we were welcomed by friendly and smiling staff who worked efficiently to provide our room keys and and answered all of questions with useful information. The hotel also has a bike rental and tours desk right by concierge which is very helpful for tourists. Everyone from the front desk to restaurant staff were courteous and responsive. They also offer luggage storage which is useful before check in or after checkout. FOOD: as Hilton Honors members, we took the breakfast package and we are so glad we did. The breakfast, overlooking the walkway by the canal, has amazing views and a wide variety of fresh food. They also take egg and crepe/waffle orders separately so you can have your eggs the way you want. There was also lots of variety if you are gluten free, vegetarian or vegan and even ketogenic. We had access to the Executive Lounge, where we went for afternoon snacks - again, good variety of fresh sandwiches, drinks and juice and coffee and amazing view. Do not miss dinner at Eastwood, the in-house restaurant - it was truly fantastic . The staff were also very well trained. This has to be one of the best dinners we have had at a Hilton property. Overall, an amazing experience at this hotel, the location allowed us to come back to our room for a break after sightseeing in Amsterdam, rest, recharge with the great food options and then head back out. Do not stay anywhere else when in Amsterdam! Check out our travels: Khanadians on Instagram,...

Really had a terrible stay here. Would not recommend nor come back.

I should start off by saying I have never had a bad stay at a hotel, nor never written a negative review for one. I am not all that picky however, some things happened that I cannot overlook.

It started off shortly after check-in. I called the front desk to see if I can get some soap sent up. The button on the phone doesn’t work to reach them. So I try housekeeping. The man answers and said he would come up with the soap. Around 30 minutes, passed by and I’m literally waiting to shower and no one is there yet so I get in the shower. A few minutes later or knock at my door. Not only does housekeeping enter my room. He then proceeded to try to open the bathroom door before I scream no! I have no idea how you would not hear the shower running or why you would think that was appropriate, but I was ready to check out right after that. I felt very uncomfortable and violated and was going back-and-forth in my head if I should go down to the front desk to speak with the manager or not.

Next, the shower pan doesn’t really drain. There’s standing water you’re taking a shower the entire time.

As a few other others have mentioned, the lighting in the rooms is extremely poor. It’s basically all accent lighting. I’m guessing this doesn’t affect every room or something but based on the location of my room. I literally couldn’t see anything and there was no natural light to help me.

As icing on the cake, upon checkout ( literally as I’m heading to the airport at 6 am) I got stuck in the elevator and had to be rescued. They are doing construction in the hotel and sometime during my stay two of the elevators went out of use. I’m still not sure why the 2 elevators that are out of service were working and why they had no signs on each floor telling you about it. Either way, I went into the elevator that was available after I called it. It wouldn’t go down to the bottom floor so I tried opening it to get back off on my floor realizing something was up. That didn’t work & somehow it took me to floor 11, immediately the lights go out and the elevator will not work anymore. No cell phone reception in there, had to call 9-1-1 from the elevator. Woman was unhelpful. Eventually I got my phone to work to call the front desk to get me the hell out of there. The staff was nice but not overly concerned that I was stuck. They were more concerned with how it happened. You tell me????

Needless to say, I will never stay here again. I am a Hilton gold member as well and will be rethinking future stays at Hilton...