One of Marriott’s more premium properties in Amsterdam is facing some challenges, and its future is looking rather uncertain…
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W Hotel Amsterdam faces eviction over €23.4 million in unpaid rent
The W Hotel Amsterdam is at risk of being evicted, after the operators of the hotel have reportedly failed to pay rent for three years. The total amount due, excluding interest and penalties, now amounts to a staggering €23.4 million.
The actual land the property sits on is owned by Deka, and was purchased in 2017 for €260 million, as part of a sale and leaseback agreement. Meanwhile the hotel is run by Palace Hotel, part of the Amsterdam-based Sircle Collection hotel group.
The landlord has filed to evict the hotel operators over the unpaid dues, and a court ruling is expected on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The hotel’s operators haven’t objected to this request, so it seems likely that this is going to happen in the coming days.
What does this potential eviction mean for guests?
It’s anyone’s guess how exactly this plays out. It seems to me that the most likely scenario is that the hotel just abruptly closes, given the implications of an eviction. It’s kind of wild to me that a hotel can operate for three years without paying rent, and it takes that long to be evicted.
I imagine the property’s owners will try to find a new hotel partner to take the space. It could be that the new operators decide to keep the W branding, and we ultimately once again see this as a W property. Or it could be that new hotel operators come in and change up the branding, invest a bit to improve the property, etc.
Either way, I’d imagine this hotel is having some issues with profitability, or else you wouldn’t expect to see rent not paid for so long. So if any other party comes in, they’ll have to switch things up if they want a chance of success.
If the hotel does close abruptly, unfortunately don’t expect Marriott to necessarily do a whole lot to help guests. I imagine those with reservations will be refunded, but it’s unlikely Marriott will do much to accommodate guests elsewhere, but instead, will just encourage people to make new reservations. It shouldn’t be that way, but that’s the general service standard Marriott seems to be offering nowadays for abrupt property closures.
So while nothing is a sure bet, I’d definitely be cautious if making a booking here, and at a minimum, would consider a backup.
Bottom line
The W Hotel Amsterdam is facing an imminent eviction, after the hotel’s operators haven’t paid rent to the property owners in around three years, with the amount due now at €23.4 million. While I imagine the property’s owners will try to find a new operator for the hotel, it seems unlikely that the transition will be seamless, and it’s questionable if this will remain W branded.
What do you make of this W Hotel Amsterdam situation?
Strange situation. I liked the hotel but the rooms were usually quite small.
Let's see how it unfolds, but if the hotel does close down, I wouldn't be so quick to discard Marriott's liability here and willingness to accommodate guests at other properties.
Even though Marriott isn't the hotel's operator, if there's proof that they were aware of rent not being paid and they were still selling rooms through their platform, that can pose a rather serious problem, especially considering the EU's consumer protection laws. Heck, even...
Let's see how it unfolds, but if the hotel does close down, I wouldn't be so quick to discard Marriott's liability here and willingness to accommodate guests at other properties.
Even though Marriott isn't the hotel's operator, if there's proof that they were aware of rent not being paid and they were still selling rooms through their platform, that can pose a rather serious problem, especially considering the EU's consumer protection laws. Heck, even now they still seem to be selling rooms despite the information known.
It's astounding to me that Marriott must have known about this for a year or two. With that, how did they not manage their risk to protect guests and jettison the hotel as a franchise? Yes, I know, Marriott is not in the customer business. But their knowingly allowing this to happen and putting guests at risk is absolute negligence.
Well, I have to wonder whether the current operator is competent. If it is competent and cannot make the rent, the property should not be a W or perhaps not a hotel at all, as their being competent suggests that no replacement operator might make a go of it either,
If they are incompetent, the path of least resistance might be having someone eat the loss (in the event of bankruptcy) and identifying a new,...
Well, I have to wonder whether the current operator is competent. If it is competent and cannot make the rent, the property should not be a W or perhaps not a hotel at all, as their being competent suggests that no replacement operator might make a go of it either,
If they are incompetent, the path of least resistance might be having someone eat the loss (in the event of bankruptcy) and identifying a new, competent, operator to operate a W, moving in (in the eyes of guests) seemlessly.
Was this not the property that belongs to some "mafia" or dubious underground organization that is using this property as a facade for quite a some money laundering?
Other reports about lots of hotel staff are OK with arranging for drugs, prostitutes, etc
I am not surprised, but I do wonder, why is this only coming to surface after 3 years of not getting their rent? Some dealings went sour?
Although I...
Was this not the property that belongs to some "mafia" or dubious underground organization that is using this property as a facade for quite a some money laundering?
Other reports about lots of hotel staff are OK with arranging for drugs, prostitutes, etc
I am not surprised, but I do wonder, why is this only coming to surface after 3 years of not getting their rent? Some dealings went sour?
Although I did get the opportunity to stay here, but I didn't knowing the situation at the hotel.
I hadn’t heard of those things where did you see that?