The “New” American to Europe: Andaz Amsterdam

Was that stand-up mirror the only "bathroom sink mirror" in the standard room?

@ Colleen -- Yes it was.

@#$!#$#% I wish I had Diamond status... Pretty nice to insist that you get upgraded to a suite. hmmm. well played sir.

I asked you about Lufthansa business class from dtw to fra and you were kind enough to answer. As a result I chose to fly to Brussels as there are many more flight available for flat bed seats. My final destination is London and I am able to take a express train that takes 2 hours to go to downtown London for between 70-100 dollars depending on day and time. I will get into downtown London about the same time as having to go through fra and then to London by air which I was going to do.

thanks for your help Mike

Excellent report!

Was the suite one of those attic rooms with dormer windows? I really like high ceiling rooms and don't care for ex servant quarters.

@ beachfan -- It did feel a bit like an attic room. The ceiling were still fairly high for the most part, except near the windows.

@ Mike -- Taking the train sounds like a wise decision!

So what did the manager tell about Twitter?

It really doesn't sound so surprising that "social media" is handled by a third party. Might be way more efficient for a smaller hotel this way.

Just back from Amsterdam myself, used HH pts for Doubletree near the train station. Andaz sure beats the Doubletree Amsterdam in the decor department. Our room reminded me of a college dorm, furnished by Ikea~ think plasterboard furniture. Excellent bfast and location but next visit I'll head to Andaz.

I take it this hotel wins the prize for best enormous fish+non-fish-object decor?

+1 on Dutch Caramel Waffle cookies. So amazing. They sell them at Cost Plus if you ever want a taste of Amsterdam 🙂

Lucky,

I missed the part where you got the straight dope on the Twitter team. Where are they?

@ Dan -- Sorry, what do you mean? The part where I asked if they could confirm me in a suite? That was via direct message (since I sent them my confirmation number and didn't want to do that in public).

Just got back from Amsterdam Tuesday. Stayed at the Hotel Pulitzer, canal view for 4 nights. Couldn't have been happier with the accomodations. Red light district is certainly an experience, something for everyone. BTW....tulips were lovely shades of green, bummer!

The "new" Riki museum just opened.....did you get a chance to see that?

Seems like room service needs a lot of help!

Wow - thats one ugly hotel.
Can't figure out what happend there, to bad as I really like Andaz

Not a big fan of the decor but seemed like an interesting place. Stroopwafels (aka "Dutch caramel waffle cookies") are awesome. Always bring a bunch back whenever I'm in the NL.

Stroopwafels are sold at Trader Joes -I've got my family hooked on them. I stayed at The Pulitzer on my visit but based on this I may try the Andaz next time

My family and I got back from Amsterdam a few weeks ago. The kids loved the big "blue" spoon in the restaurant!!!

I just want to know: would you return to this hotel in a heartbeat? Anyway, your trip report is well intentioned...

I know I can look this up, but I feel I shouldn't have to...where is the Andaz Amsterdam? Apparently on a canal, based on the pictures, but not quite sure where. While I love your blog's theme on maximizing points/upgrades, I'd like at least a passable mention as to whether the hotel is good for someone on holiday.

@ Michael T -- It's on Prinsengracht, so a great location for sightseeing.

@ Willy -- Yes I would...

So who actually runs the twitter account?

I'm surprised you made a point to show the elevator. It's interesting, in a rather mild sense, but it also looks like they simply glued some wallpaper along the back wall. Maybe I'm missing something. Have you ever seen the lifts at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong? Now that's an elevator. If you one too many before heading back to your room you might just find yourself entering a vortex into a parallel universe. Or maybe the Twilight Zone. Good luck trying to capture the experience in a two dimensional photograph. I certainly couldn't.

I hope you enjoyed Amsterdam.

BTW, Andaz Amsterdam is only 40seconds walk from my office.

For those going to The Netherlands anytime soon: best is to buy the stroopwafels at a market. There are some in Amsterdam as well, the most famous one at the Albert Cuyp. They can also be bought in any supermarket, though you got to try them at the market: buy a big one that's made freshly. They're warm, juicy... god I want one now ;). Luckily I live in Holland (=The Netherlands for foreigners 😉 ), but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to go to a market :(.

Regarding the Rijksmuseum: yep, it opened again after many many years. Haven't had the chance to go there yet, though. I think it's the only museum in the world that actually has a bicycle path going straight through it :).

@Lucky: don't worry, not only the Americans find the red light district interesting. Anytime I get a foreigner over, no matter from which country, they all want to see the same 🙂

Should you ever come back here, let me know! I'll give you a personalized tour through the city and show you some other things most foreigners don't see (nope, I'm not talking about going inside some room with red lighting 😉 ).

I need to start a blog and get on Twitter more, could end up with better service by making the right comments lol

All kidding aside, the review is beneficial. Glad you liked it, Lucky, but the decor is definitely not to my taste. I probably wouldn't choose it. Hopefully we'll get more reviews of other boutique hotels in Amsterdam to compare.

In a city where hotels are notoriously overpriced and rooms are known for their "cozy" stature, that looks like a very nice property, indeed. I do like the Delft touches here and there. The decor is a bit busy for my taste, but I wouldn't let that discourage me from staying there at all. Though I don't have Diamond status...

Both rooms look beautiful, although the fish spoon and fish goblet things above the beds would give me nightmares. And the light fixtures in the lobby above the check-in desks look kind of "douchey" to me, as you say.

Amsterdam is a great city if you like to bike, which I do.

Ben,
Your photo above the caption "Living room facing towards the bedroom" is missing when I read the review. All other photos are there so I don't think that it's just me.

Informative review, thanks.

Jack

@ Jack -- Hmmm, could you tell me what browser you're using? Tried Chrome and Firefox and they both show the picture. Thanks for the heads up!

I was attending a friends wedding in Amsterdam and some my college buddies stayed at the Andaz, the room was small, but functional, though I am not convinced on the price.

I stayed at the Marriott (where most of the Wedding group stayed) and my room was much larger and about 30 Euros cheaper than the Andaz.

The Andaz had style, if you are into that kind of thing, me personally I prefer a more standard room a la Marriott which around the world is basically the same box with some minor variation.

the bathroom situation seems very strange to me - if 2 people are sharing the room, and don't really want to see each other naked, what do they do? a design mistake in my opinion (i'm not overly modest, but still...)

Its cool sharing a room with a partner or married or its personal.