Four Elements Hotel Amsterdam

We found transport into the city centre convenient, with the tram stop just a 3-7 minute walk away. Our stay at Four Elements Hotel was cosy, clean, and comfortable, and the bathroom was spotless. The view from our room was great; the sun stayed away most of the time, but came out for a few hours on our last day and made it even better. Staff were accommodating, and the restaurant team were kind when we asked for plates or utensils. One restaurant staff member was rude, though. I asked for two bowls, a spoon, and a fork, making clear that one bowl needed to be big enough for noodles. He brought one that was too small and said I’d have to pay extra for a larger one. Apart from that, we were very comfortable.

The food was just okay, nothing special. The hotel itself was quiet and well placed for taking the tram into the city centre. Our floor was being redecorated, but the same dirty towels sat on the landing every day, which didn’t seem like proper housekeeping. In our room, some lights didn’t work and one bedside switch was faulty too.

We spent five nights at Four Elements Hotel and had a very good stay overall. The hotel felt modern, comfortable, well maintained, and clean, and we appreciated being able to request basics like ice or utensils. It’s outside the city centre, about nine tram stops away, but the area is peaceful and quiet, and we enjoyed the rides in and back after exploring. The main inconvenience was the centrally controlled heating and air-conditioning, which couldn’t be adjusted fully to our preference. At times the room felt too cold, though this seems standard rather than a hotel fault. We also had a couple of service issues. At the start, the in-room phone wouldn’t connect to reception, so we had to go down to report it. Someone came to fix it, and it took a few hours before it was fully working. At the restaurant, one staff member seemed unfriendly when we asked for utensils and initially said we’d have to pay, even though the front desk had said at check-in that they were free. It wasn’t a big problem, but felt awkward and inconsistent. We’d still recommend the hotel, especially to travellers who are happy staying a little outside the centre.

I’ve never had hotel staff treat me with such hostility or disrespect. What should have been a simple overnight visit became a humiliating, stressful nightmare. We had a confirmed reservation, but on arrival were told our room wasn’t available. Nobody explained why, apologized, or offered a solution. Instead, the staff were rude, dismissive, and aggressive rather than taking responsibility. They yelled at and insulted us, treating us like a nuisance instead of paying guests. No one tried to help or show even basic professionalism. Then, unbelievably, they said we couldn’t even wait in the lobby after the hotel had left us without the room we booked. The arrogance and lack of hospitality were beyond comprehension. This place showed no respect for guests and has no customer service standards. If you value basic decency, professionalism, or peace of mind, stay far away. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, not even for free. An absolute disgrace.