Ciao Papa Hotel Amsterdam Central Station

The location made getting around easy: Centraal Station is about a five-minute walk away, Damrak is two minutes away, and there’s a supermarket a few doors down. The price was lower than many hotels, and the place was fairly clean. Our bed was a decent size, and both the shower and the air-conditioning and radiator worked. The stairs were the hardest part. There’s no lift, and the steps are tiny and extremely steep across five floors. That may be typical of Amsterdam buildings, but reaching a top-floor room was difficult. Inside, the room was cramped too. My husband, who’s over six feet tall, couldn’t stand at the end of the bed without hitting the TV or hanging space. I’m 5'3" and had less trouble, but we couldn’t really move around together; one of us had to get on the bed to let the other pass. The wet-room bathroom had almost nothing to stop water spreading everywhere. The sink was shoddy, and we had to lift it to get the water to drain, though we could still wash and use the toilet. We’d seen reviews mentioning bed bugs and felt nervous, so we checked the mattress, pillows, linens, and towels carefully. We found nothing concerning, and had no bite marks. Some staff were welcoming, while a couple came across as rude. At night, reception was blocked off and staff slept there, which struck us as odd. The walls are also extremely thin. We could hear people below, above, next door, and in reception, so it’s not a place for privacy. It gave us somewhere to sleep and wash while we explored, and it wasn’t filthy. Still, it was basic, small, and awkward to get around. Personally, I wouldn’t book it again.

The free coffee and tea in the lobby were really good, and the price was great. Our room was very clean, and the people running the place were lovely. It felt like a safe area, with restaurants and shops right outside and the Anne Frank House close by. There were three flights of stairs to our room, though. You can ask for a room on the first level, which means just one flight.

My sister found bed bugs and stains in her room just as she was about to get into bed. Completely disgusting. She told reception right away, but they didn’t seem to care. They said there were no rooms available, wouldn’t help her find another hotel, and refused to pay the price difference. They just shrugged it off and said she’d get her money back the next day, while finding another hotel wasn’t their job. She was left with no help or solution during what was easily the worst hotel experience in Amsterdam. If this is how they handle a serious hygiene problem, I don’t understand how they’re still allowed to operate. Stay far away. We wish she’d read the other bed bug reviews before booking.

The location was the best part, and all the staff were really nice and friendly. I stayed three nights. The room was small but had what I needed, and the bed was clean and comfortable. You can hear people talking in other rooms, so bring earplugs. I’d book again!