Excellent location to tram lines along the Prinsen...

Excellent location to tram lines along the Prinsengracht Canal. We took the tram from Amsterdam Centraal Station arriving and departing the train to and from Schiphol Airport. Really convenient. Remember you can buy tram tickets on most trams with a credit card from the customer service desk onboard toward the back of the tram.

Reception and main lobby is small but functional. Very nice big open lounge area off the lobby with a coffee machine, long table, books, sofas, toilets. The room has the old charm of exposed beams seen in many canal homes. A nice place to relax. Fitness center is small, but clean and functional with upright bike, treadmill, elliptical machine, kettle bells, and two multi stack weight dumbbells. There is also a small patio area on the second floor. The common areas are very clean and well kept.

We had a two twin room on the fifth floor and were pleasantly surprised at the size of the room, bathroom, and view. Item of note, the television in the room also plays radio stations. I m a big fan of Classic FM Nederland, and that, and many other stations can be played via the television. Another great feature.

The customer service is exceptional. From the storage of luggage from an early arrival into Amsterdam until the room is clean, to having your room available earlier than posted check in time (obviously this depends on occupancy and availability). The reception staff were always patient and willing to help, whether my request for information on a concert we were attending, printing the tickets for it, or working through my mispronouncing Dutch. Slightly different policy of always keeping the key at reception seemed odd at first, but became second nature and actually made a lot of sense. Ability to purchase tickets for many attractions at the hotel and discount opportunities were also great.

Standout customer service experiences were two, one of which was INCREDIBLE. Maybe other properties do this too, but the hotel provides a complimentary service activated mobile phone that can be used with no service charge for data or voice usage - web surfing, map use, weather or current information, and even phone calls locally and to most countries. All complimentary. There is a charger in the room for the device for ease of charging. Obviously there are charges for loss or damage of the phone. An amazing resource.

The second experience was a holiday touch that hit the mark. Our stay was over what my family has called St. Nicholas Day in the US, December 5th. The hotel gave each room a mug depicting Amsterdam landmarks filled with kruidnootjes - a small traditional Dutch and Lowlands area ginger flavored cookie, similar to speculaas or a mild ginger snap. There was also a letter of the history and meaning behind Sinterklaas. What a welcome seasonally local cultural touch.

One last suggestion is the Costume Museum located not far from the hotel. It is a well presented museum about traditional Dutch clothing and its history. You can even choose, for a fee, to have your photo taken in traditional attire. As a bonus, you get a view inside a traditional canal house where the museum is located throughout its several floors. There is a nice small spot inside for coffee and appeltaart and also a sizable gift shop of quality items related to Dutch costumes.

We will definitely stay here again in the future.