Reviewed by Harley Denham
The Amsterdam Marriott Hotel boasts a fantastic location in Lispline, central Amsterdam, close to lots of major attractions. From Amsterdam Central train station, take the tram six stops to Lispline; the hotel is visible and just a few minutes’ walk from the tram stop.
The main entrance to the hotel is just to the right of the building, where guests are greeted by a concierge. As you enter, you will find the reception area to your right with plenty of seating for groups, several desks to check in and an open fire to keep warm in the winter months. The staff at reception are very friendly and welcoming.
The hotel has two great restaurants to choose from and serves full, American or continental-style breakfast from 7.30am until 11am. Also open for dinner, the Midtown Grill is a great option for groups as it has plenty to suit a range of tastes and requirements. The menu lists a range of steaks, chops and seafood, some of which are locally sourced from Creekstone Farms in Amsterdam. I would recommend warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert. The Sorel's Midtown Bar and Lounge serves lunch, dinner and signature cocktails in a modern setting from which guests can view the sights of the vibrant city.
Room service is also available for guests - I tried the burger, chips, and salad with an apple juice, which was affordable and delicious! The service is very quick and the staff are extremely polite.
A selection of luxury rooms are available, including king and queen, executive suites and presidential suites overlooking the Dutch-style houses and canals. Mobility accessible rooms are available on request. All rooms are clean, spacious and equipped with air conditioning, coffee and tea facilities, a mini bar, fast connecting Wi-Fi, iron, and complimentary toiletries (reception are more than happy to provide you with anything you may have forgotten). The luxurious marble bathrooms give the finishing touch to this chic hotel accommodation.
For groups wanting to use the hotel’s meeting and events facilities, there are 12 event rooms that can host from 10 to 470 people. The hotel can make reservations for the group and send a report showing which of your guests have reserved rooms and when they plan to arrive.
The hotel has a fitness centre and sauna, as well as bikes to rent. (Cycling is a great way to see the city!) There is also a gift shop where you can purchase Amsterdam branded items such as key rings, jumpers and ornaments etc.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel is the Van Gough Museum, Rijksmuseum – The Museum of the Netherlands, and the Diamond Museum, where you and your group can learn about the art, culture and history of Amsterdam. If you are looking for a way to see and learn about the city from the water, the Blue Boat Company and Amsterdam Canal Cruises offer sightseeing tours with on-board commentary. In Amsterdam Central, a must-see is Madame Tussauds, which is full of famous waxwork figures, and Amsterdam Dungeons, which takes you back in time through various live shows.
There are a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, I would recommend the Hard Rock Café located on the square behind the Marriott hotel, which is also close to the Holland Casino. The restaurant offers classic American-style dining and a choice of delicious cocktails.
[i] Amsterdam Marriott Hotel, Stadhouderskade 12 Amsterdam
Telephone: +31 20 6075555 Website: www.marriott.co.uk