Conscious Hotel Westerpark

The wooden room cards were a cool touch. I’d never seen those before and was impressed. Our room looked stylish and had everything we needed, with a comfortable bed. Check-in was very straightforward, and they safely stored our bags before and after the stay, so we didn’t have to carry them around.

We couldn’t find anywhere to put our clothes during our three-day visit, so storage was the one thing our room was short on. Everything else made for a lovely first trip to Amsterdam. The hotel has a special feel while staying humble and minimalist, and we loved the room. Ivan welcomed us on arrival, was fantastic, and suggested places to visit and eat. The staff and location were a big part of the good experience. We’ll be back.

The room I had was in poor shape, despite the pleasant location and friendly reception team. I couldn’t adjust the shower, the TV offered only a few channels, and the windows wouldn’t open. The walls were dirty, the bar was shut, and breakfast was sparse and far too costly. Prices at the hotel kiosk were outrageous too. The rooms are acceptable, but this place costs far too much for the quality.

We were in a front-facing room, and loud music and voices carried on until 4:30 am. The bathroom lighting was dim, there was no magnifying mirror, and I wasn’t keen on the tiny shower head. The room had only a little hanging space, which might be an issue on a longer trip. I liked its modern, minimalist look, even if it wasn’t cosy. The in-room coffee facilities were handy, though milk would have been welcome. The location suited us perfectly, with bus routes nearby, though downtown is about a 30-minute walk. Staff were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast chef even kindly cooked us bacon, since the buffet was vegetarian and underwhelming. I’d stay again, but would probably eat breakfast elsewhere.