Amsterdam Hotel and A Bar

The waterfront and city center are easy to reach, but I'd avoid this place at all costs. My room was exceptionally dirty and full of insects. There was dust and dirt in the corners, and visible stains on the mattress. After one night I woke up with 35 bites all over my body. When I told management it might be bed bugs, they said it could just as well be other bugs. The listing also falsely claims free parking. There isn't actually free parking nearby, only street parking that's free at certain times or paid parking in the area.

The room was okay, but the bed was really uncomfortable and the shower gave only a dribble of boiling hot water, hot enough to hurt if you touched it. After booking at 11.30pm, I spent 30 minutes arguing with the guy at the desk because booking.com listed parking at £8 but I was charged £15. I wouldn't recommend the hotel. It wasn't good value and felt like a waste of money. I'm being honest about what happened because I always try to be fair.

The seafront position in Brighton is the one good thing I can say about this hotel. We paid for a sea-view room but were put in a basement room after I asked to move at 12:30am because our bedroom had bed bugs. Apparently another room had them too. I wasn't offered compensation at the time, and the manager seemed to be away whenever we tried to communicate. After the hotel's response, I want to be clear that I uploaded photos of the bugs, so denying they were there contradicts the evidence. They only refunded us more than a month later, after I disputed the credit card charge. I still plan to dispute being charged for a room that wasn't what we booked. We had no bed bug problems at the Malmaison hotel in Brighton before this stay, so blaming us for bringing them in doesn't fit the evidence, especially given the other guest's report. The explanation was lousy, and I've lowered the service rating from three stars to two. I won't book here again.

The staff were warm, friendly, and helpful, and our room was spotless. Staying at the Amsterdam hotel was a real pleasure. I'd happily choose it again next time I'm in Brighton.