Ryan

Review of Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City

I was here to attended a conference at the Amsterd...

I was here to attended a conference at the Amsterdam RAI, so the fact it was a mile away from the RAI was good, however it is very far out from all other areas, including the metro. The check in was very quick and friendly, and the reception was very welcoming and nicely decorated. I was informed of my room number and directed to the lift. I had booked a privilege room, which was on the 11th floor, which meant I had a high rise view of the surroundings. The room seemed a bit smaller than I maybe expected, but the bed was very big, it had a rainfall shower which appealed to me, and the room came with a complimentary mini bar.

I was aware of the fact the clear bucket seat that is in the room had some mysterious stains on it, and fragments of what appeared to be cannabis and tobacco!! I didn't want to alert the staff to this, but I thought it was worrying it seemingly hadn't been wiped down.

On arrival I opted to hang up my clothes and also iron some shirts. The iron works on an automatic shut off, meaning you get 30 seconds of ironing, and then it shuts down for minutes. I was also aware of the fact my white shirt suddenly had a pink mark on it, which appeared to have come from what looked to be a liquid stain on the ironing board cover!! The staff did replace this, but weren't very quick to apologize for the stain on my shirt as a result!

I was in a canal facing room, however there is construction work going on nearby, however I think the alternative is a highway facing room, which probably isn't much better.

On the first night, I had been at an event late, and rang down to ask what food options I had. I was told I could get a pizza from the bar, for 15, as it was now after 10pm. I asked when I could get that till, the answer was "anytime". I went down an hour later, and asked for a pizza, I was presented with a takeaway menu. I informed the guy I was told I could get a pizza, at "anytime" and he said no, the kitchen is closed, but we will do it as a one off. I then waited 35 minutes for said pizza, by which time I was falling asleep.

The breakfast was very high quality indeed, and there was something for everybody, it was all replenished very quickly and wasn't simply kept warm under heat lamps as with most establishments. The hostesses were very welcoming on both mornings, despite how rude some guests appeared to be to them!!!

I needed to check in for my return flight and print my boarding pass, I was able to do this with ease and for free on the hotels computers in reception, something which saved me a lot of hassle.

I opted for an evening meal on the second night, and my experience wasn't brilliant. I went to the restaurant at about 9:15pm or thereabouts, and was given a seat. I was given a menu and waited around 15 minutes for my order to be taken. I am not sure if I was forgotten about, but eventually my order was taken and I ordered the Mercure burger with chips. It arrived around a 15-20 min wait, and was very nice. However, when it came to me requesting a desert menu, something I take to be as standard in most a la carte restaurants, the lady abruptly told me, "the kitchen is closed, no deserts....would you like a drink?". I have never known guests who are already seated, who have already consumed a meal, be refused further service.

On two occasions I ate at the hotel with the exception of breakfast, and both times the staff and their levels of service, really let the hotel down.

I am not sure I would visit this hotel again, it is let down by some staff members, and their levels of service and how they treat guests, particularly in the restaurant etc.