Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam — Local services in Amsterdam

Whilst the overall impression wasn't great, we experienced both good and bad during our 3 night stay. ||It is certainly well-located for the central station. The facade is a matter of personal taste and the small reception area and rather gloomy interior are probably not what you'd expect of a 5* hotel but could be seen as characterful in what is an old, re-purposed building. ||We stayed 2 nights in one Superior twin room; one night in another. Both were canal-side where, despite limited sound-proofing, very little traffic, human or vehicular, passes at night. The high ceilings and tall windows let in plenty of light to offset the fairly drab furnishing and the black-out curtains mean you are not woken by the early morning light. The air con in both rooms was quiet, albeit not very effective. No shower gel/body wash was provided (an oversight), so we had to shower using shampoo the first night. The water also suddenly turned to scalding for 10-15 seconds on 2 separate occasions, which shouldn't be possible if the shower thermostat has a working limiter. It gave us an early indication that this hotel is not run to the standards you would expect of a 5* hotel. ||The main indication was that the mattress on one of the beds, a divan, had lost its structural integrity on one edge and a further thin (c. 4 cm) mattress placed on top (this was worn and bobbly, uncomfortable through the very thin bed sheet). The effect was a sloping bed with a sliding mattress; so little sleep that night. The next day, we reported it and a member of staff was sent to inspect; he agreed the mattress was broken and went off to report to Reception, so we expected either a replacement mattress or a new room. In the event, they just ignored us, leading to another sleepless night. On day 3, we renewed the complaint and eventually, the customer service officer 'investigated', eventually repeating everything we had already told her back to us and finally offered a new room, in which the beds were fine (no thin top mattress and everything zipped into a cover). However, when we then pointed out that, for 2 nights, they were in breach of contract (i.e. we pay them, they provide a bed fit-for-purpose) and should therefore refund part of the room rate, she said they would get back to us. Nobody did and in our subsequent email complaint, they merely backtracked and said a further inspection showed the bed was fine. The fact that we knew the truth and that their own staff had already verified the complaint didn't bother them. They know there is nothing the customer can realistically do about it once they've left.||I tried out the Wellness Centre, which includes a pool (I counted 8 strokes long), a hot tub, gym and sauna. In fact, a sauna visit is unnecessary, it is so hot down there anyway (gym work would certainly be very sweaty). A word of caution: there are effective non-slip tiles around the pool but seemingly not the hot tub; I slipped as I approached the latter. The same is true of the nearby showers, where I also discovered that having a soap dispenser does not mean there will be soap (I went 2 days and they clearly don't bother checking). The lockers too were not maintained. I and the member of staff trying to assist me, followed the instructions but the locks would not work. A second staff member was summoned and he explained that all the locks were already in the locked position even though some doors were open. He managed to override one for me but the next day, the problem was the same. I was the only customer in the Centre, yet all of the 30 or so lockers were locked or un-lockable. ||The other place you might visit is the breakfast area. Although the cooked breakfast was not particularly appetising (leathery bacon, for example), the breads and pastries were fresh and tasty. You could also make yourself a coffee, using their espresso machine. We should add that the restaurant staff, like the cleaning staff, were friendly and efficient.||In conclusion, although superficially the hotel has the expected features, we cannot recommend it as a 5* hotel; it does not have that feel or luxury and is not managed to that standard. If you do have a problem, it is not dealt with quickly and our experience is that they will evade financial redress. You may be lucky and get a good room but perhaps judging it against 3* competition would be a better...

"Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam: For Those Who Cherish the Past and, Er, Herbal Essences"

Embarking on an adventure in the enchanting city of Amsterdam, I nestled myself in the historic embrace of Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam. This, my friends, turned out to be an exploratory journey not just through the cobblestoned streets of Amsterdam but through time itself—and, unexpectedly, through a olfactory bouquet of Amsterdam’s most (in)famous herb.

The hotel prides itself on three key offerings: prices that aspire to the heavens, a location that's the envy of mapmakers everywhere, and an "antique" décor that makes you wonder whether you've mistakenly signed up for a role in a historical reenactment. Indeed, 'antique' is the polite term here; I leaned more towards describing it as a museum where you can sleep—if you're not too distracted pondering the value of ancient artifacts doubling as room furnishings. As for the service, it’s a comfortable three out of five. In the spirit of northern European austerity, it’s service with a nonchalant flair, like being served toast - you know it's there, but it's hardly the highlight of your morning. Breakfast achieves a perfect balance of forgettable and adequate, making it a culinary embodiment of neutrality. The evenings bring a bar bustling with servers who seem more engrossed in their own tales than in the art of service. Signaling for their attention becomes a game of strategic maneuvers, and settling your tab is akin to seeking an audience with a reclusive celebrity—possible, but requires patience and perhaps a bit of luck. Adding to the hotel’s immersive experience is a persistent aroma of cannabis wafting through the corridors, a scent as ubiquitous in Amsterdam as tulips and bicycles but far less welcome within the confines of a hotel. It's an olfactory stamp of the city's liberal charms, yet one that perhaps should have remained on the other side of the hotel's doors.

A particularly interesting observation was the demographic dominantly occupying the hotel's antiquated charm; it appears to be a haven for the senior demographic. While there is an undeniable wisdom that comes with age, newcomers might find the hotel’s patronage leaning heavily towards those with a rich tapestry of life experiences, making it a curious juxtaposition against Amsterdam’s youthful vibrance. Navigating through the time-worn hallways, accompanied by the unwavering scent of cannabis, felt like an accidental trip (no pun intended) to a bygone era that remarkably coexists with modern Amsterdam’s bustling life. The living history lessons and the herbal-infused corridors were an unexpected twist, reminding me that adventure can find you, even off the beaten path.

In spite of these quirks, the ever-endearing Amsterdam with its picturesque canals and welcoming atmosphere ensured that not even a detour into the past (with a rather unconventional aromatherapy session) could detract from the joy of exploring the city. It’s a testament to Amsterdam’s unbreakable charm that despite a lodging experience that felt more like a spirited visit to an eccentric relative’s house, the city’s allure remained untarnished.

Considering a future stay at the Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam? It’s perfect for those who appreciate the finer points of history, don’t mind mingling with a more seasoned crowd, and can navigate the occasional cloud of nostalgia—both metaphorical and quite literal. As for me, whilst I treasure the memories and the unexpected laughs, I’ll be seeking accommodations that align a tad more closely with the present—both in guests and...

I've always appreciated Dr. House's dry wisdom, especially his line: "What would you prefer, a doctor who holds your hand while you die, or one who ignores you while you get better?" A similar dilemma applies to hotels, do you want warm smiles and no solutions, or cold efficiency that actually fixes things?|At the Grand Hotel Amrâth in Amsterdam, unfortunately, you get warm smiles. And... that's about it.|My family and I stayed four nights in two rooms, one "Superior" and one "Superior Deluxe." The names, I must say, are a triumph of optimism over accuracy.|The Good:|1. The Building: Gorgeous. Truly impressive architecture. From the outside, the place has the kind of aura that suggests service to match.|2. High ceilings.|3. Breakfast: Solid quality with good variety. No complaints there.|4. Location: Excellent. You’re right where you want to be in Amsterdam, central, connected, convenient.|The Bad:|1. Stars Don’t Shine Here: This is not a five-star hotel. It’s a four-star hotel with five-star aspirations... and three-star execution.|2. Maintenance: There’s a fine line between vintage charm and “forgotten to renovate since the war.” Sadly, this hotel often tips toward the latter. |3. The Curious Case of the Bathroom Window: One of our rooms had a shower/tub setup directly next to a large window. Privacy was “achieved” through a sliding mirror panel that only covers part of the window. The rest is left to a flimsy curtain. You slide the mirror depending on whether you’re showering or using the toilet. Romantic? Maybe. Functional? Not remotely. Five-star? You're kidding, right?|The Ugly:|1. No Air Conditioning, But Plenty of Fans: One of the rooms had no functioning air conditioning. Insider tip: if you open your closet and spot a standing fan (or two), flee. It’s not an decoration piece. It's a warning sign.|2. The "Climate Control" Fairy Tale: When I reported the lack of cooling, I was informed that it's not an air conditioner, it's "climate control", and apparently it just needed time to work. As an engineer, I had the unfortunate habit of understanding how these systems work. After some persistence, they finally admitted the system was broken. I don’t mind technical issues, these things happen, but I really object to being misled.||Attached are photos of their so-called portable A/C units, spoiler alert: they’re fans and the permanently open top windows, which supposedly allow for airflow. What they actually allow is street noise and heat.|Final Thoughts:|If you’re in Amsterdam and want a beautiful building with a great location and a nice breakfast, and you don’t care much about privacy, cooling, or actual five-star service, then by all means, book the Grand Hotel Amrâth. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. And definitely don’t trust the...