Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam — Hotel in Amsterdam

We were really looking forward to our stay at the Waldorf Amsterdam. We originally had planned to stay in April 2020 but Covid derailed that, we had all our reservations, tours, dinners etc. that wound up being cancelled. That made this trip even more anticipated for us. To start we got a room smaller than we wanted. I know this is just a request, but we made it a year in advance for my birthday trip. We were only asking for the same room type only a little bit bigger, we were staying 8 nights. We didn't get it. || The room was nice and service good. We were surprised that there was really no acknowledgment of my birthday with a little cake or something special in the room. The same little shoe candies and the Waldorf Delft house that everyone received was all we got. The large format products in the bath were awful. Aesop is the name and they smelled terrible. The price if you wanted to purchase it, and who would, for body balm was $80.00. Other products were high too. ||Breakfast each morning in Goldfinch was nice, albeit crowded. A couple of days there was an asian family with kids running all over, sitting at unoccupied tables and just being so disruptive with no supervision from their parents and no staff addressing this either. Katrina, was wonderful though. She remembered us each morning and greeted us with a smile and brought our beverages that she remembered we wanted.||Our biggest letdown were the tours we booked way in advance with the concierge team. It started out well with a wonderful woman Anita, who we had for two days.|Zaanse Schans, Volendam & Keukenhof. She was knowledgeable and very nice.|The Giethoorn disaster was beyond awful. We booked a boat ride for 2 hours with the price quoted by the concierge. We had a private driver and it took 1-45 mins to get there. We were taken into a restaurant Hollands Venetie where the $350.00 was now $700.00. We walked out and had the driver take us to the town. Then back to the hotel. A total waste of a day. To their credit they refunded us the total amount of the tour & driver. I am going to try and write a review with more detail. I made it clear to the Waldorf they should not do business with a scam company like this. || The next disaster was the incompetence of our tour of the Hague. The totally botched it, giving us a time when the Mauritshuis wasn't even open. Another waste of a day, which they also made right by refunding us. I really didn't want refunds I wanted the tours we booked and carefully selected. Days we can never get back.||This is a nice hotel. I must say that anyone with mobility issues will find it hard to stay here. The steps just to enter are many and fairly steep. Then up at the top there is another step the doorman has to keep telling guests to watch for. There also is no cover on these steps for inclement weather. We asked how someone with a wheelchair or walker could navigate this and they showed us a door at the bottom of the steps. Problem is you then have to go around the entire back of the hotel through the garden and through the restaurant to the elevator outside of the restaurant. This is a long process to be sure. I would pay attention to this if you select this hotel.|| Also, when we checked in they never gave us our itinerary for our tours & reservations they made. We might have noticed the discrepancy with one of the tours, but not the absolute highway robbery the boat company tried to pull on us. |Isabel one of the concierge was very nice, Frank was always on the defensive and really didn't display and concern or care for their missteps. Just constantly trying to defend himself became quite tiresome. We have no plans to return, the city was not as great as...

This is the best hotel we've ever stayed out. Even amongst 5 star hotels, this one stands out.

From the moment we checked in, through to our departure, the experience was solid. I'll put my review into notes:

We arrived early, checked in (Jacob was fantastic) and were set-up for a lunch at their restaurant. As soon as the room was ready, Jacob fetched us and took us to our room. No bill to settle at the restaurant, they just handled it. I know this is a minor detail but it highlighted the smoothness of the experience, and this became a theme of our stay, they just handled things for you

Concierge sorted tickets for the Anne Frank museum. I've used hotel concierges a few times, and I decided to really test this one out. There was a massively sold out concert happening in two days time, and I asked the concierge if they could get tickets for us. Long story short, within a day, they'd landed VIP tickets for us at the venue. No idea how they pulled it off as these tickets weren't available on the usual websites. Very happy.

Housekeeping was top tier. Cleanliness was supreme. Fresh flowers. So much attention to detail.

Room service was incredible. The way they brought the food in and presented it was perfect. Personable staff. We ordered 5+ times and were very happy. In addition, my wife and I wanted breakfast for dinner one night and they accommodated. In addition, we made various custom & off-menu requests and the team wanted to make it happen. And they did. I want to highlight two people who I only know by description. An Asian chap working there was absolutely top tier and so impressive. And a lady working on 10th February afternoon was just perfect.

Breakfast service. The best breakfast service we have ever encountered. We had some kind of breakfast package with our booking, and we took it at the hotel each day. We ordered freely, off the menu with specific requests, and they were so accommodating. The food was SO consistent each day, the coffee was great and we already miss the restaurant. My wife would order egg whites scrambled with a series of other things, and I had my own "5 eggs scrambled with butter, no oil, side bacon", etc. and they were happy to get that for us. No questions asked. I know it sounds silly but the flexibility around food requests is the best part about luxury hotels. Final comment, two ladies stood out. Lady with glasses and a lady with her hair in a bun. They were perfect each day and somehow remembered our breakfast order. One time, I'd forgotten to ask for my bacon and they brought it out "just in case" because I'd had it the other days. So much respect for that breakfast team between 8th - 11th February and I feel so happy just writing this.

Door staff were fantastic and friendly

Taxis that hotel organized were prompt, luxury and friendly.

Area was amazing to walk (80,000 steps for us). We had a great view of the canal.

Room size was fantastic.

We will be returning either later this year or next year. To the hotel manager/team member reading this review: well done, you've got incredible processes in place and the service is some of the best I've ever encountered. I will also say that I'll now be looking out for "Waldord Astoria" hotels whenever I...

A Stay of Bespoke Elegance:

From the moment you arrive at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, you know you are about to immerse yourself in the epitome of luxury. The hotel, a stunning blend of six 17th-century palaces, sits gracefully on the banks of the Herengracht Canal, offering a picturesque backdrop to what promises to be a stay of unparalleled service and opulence.

The grandeur of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is apparent in its beautiful façade, a testament to the Golden Age, but it's the inside where the magic truly happens. The hotel's interior reflects a timeless elegance, with each room and suite offering a harmonious blend of historical charm and modern convenience. Plush furnishings and subtle touches of luxury are present in every nook, reassuring guests that their comfort is paramount.

However, the pinnacle of personalized service was experienced during a private dinner at the hotel. Here, the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam truly outshone itself. The dinner, an intimate affair, was heightened by the presence of a personal mixologist - a master of the craft, who brought with them an air of excitement and exclusivity. The mixologist, with a portable bar of gleaming bottles and an arsenal of tools, was not just a purveyor of drinks but a connoisseur who took us on a journey through unique flavors and bespoke cocktails tailored to individual preferences.

The artistry of mixology was evident in each concoction, from the choice of spirits to the balance of flavors and the garnish that added a final flourish. Our mixologist was both an artist and a confidant, engaging us with stories behind each ingredient while ensuring that every sip complemented the course it accompanied. This service did not overshadow the meal, which was an exquisite presentation of culinary excellence, but instead enhanced the flavors and the overall dining experience.

The attention to detail was impeccable in the dining experience and across all services. The discreet yet attentive staff anticipated needs before they were expressed. The rooms boasted amenities that married luxury with technology, ensuring that leisure and business travelers met their needs seamlessly.

The hotel is ideally situated for guests eager to discover Amsterdam's treasures. It is just a stone's throw away from some of the city's most notable attractions. Yet, it maintains a sense of serene exclusivity that makes returning to its quiet luxury a relief from the bustle of the city.

All in all, the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is more than just a hotel; it is a destination that promises and delivers an exceptional experience. The personal mixologist for a private dinner is a shining example of the lengths the hotel goes to in crafting memorable moments for its guests. It is a pillar of luxury and a beacon of personalized hospitality that truly makes one's stay unforgettable. For those seeking the highest standard of luxury accommodation with a unique and personalized touch, the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is, without doubt, a...