CS Hotel

The location is probably the best part, and the hotel is cheap and cheerful. We stayed 4 nights, though I’d already paid the €37 tourist tax through booking.com and was charged it again on arrival. There’s no reception in the hotel itself, so you have to cross the road if you need anything. The stairs are very steep, especially if your room is at the top. The fire doors are heavy and slam loudly, which can disturb your sleep.

The facilities made a bad first impression: there’s no elevator, and the stairs are extremely narrow. I had to carry my 30 kg luggage up to the 3rd floor without any help. Check-in was a mess too. I couldn’t do it online, and at the hotel there was only a tiny entrance, no reception, and no staff. I waited outside for over 30 minutes without being able to reach anyone. A passerby eventually told me the reception for the same hotel was across the street, which nobody had mentioned. The receptionist there was rude and said I couldn’t check in until I paid the 43 euros city tax again, even though I’d fully paid online on Agoda. My stay at CS Hotel Amsterdam was terrible from the start, with poor communication and awful facilities. I’d never recommend it.

I didn’t feel comfortable sleeping there, so I left and booked another hotel. The room was disgusting, with a sticky floor, a stained radiator that might have had blood or poop on it, a smoke smell, and a toothbrush holder broken in half. The door also wouldn’t lock, or at least felt like it wouldn’t. Getting there was a hassle: I had to check in across the street, then walk back and climb all the way up. There was junk around, unfinished paint and cardboard boxes in the hallway. I didn’t expect much for €50, but I expected better. Do not stay !!!

Our first beers in Amsterdam were two really nice Heinekens, and we enjoyed them a lot. We found this bar not far from the station, and they didn’t disappoint.