Golden Mansion Aparthotel

I’ve given this place two stars because the reception staff were so unfriendly. Every time I walked past on my way in or out, I tried to smile or say hello after making eye contact, and was ignored each time. It was remarkably blatant and rude, with staff looking away or ignoring a greeting. How did you find so many unfriendly people, was it deliberate or just a coincidence? Apartment 10 was right next to reception. The building’s location is excellent, very central and near plenty of public transport. The area felt safe at night and was very quiet. The apartment itself was otherwise excellent and suited us well, since we were out all day, but ventilation was incredibly poor. Making just scrambled eggs in the morning filled the whole place with smoke and a smell that lingered all day. There was only one tiny opening window, high near the ceiling. When we arrived, the apartment also had a strong smell of cigarette smoke left by a previous guest.

This was good value for the size of the accommodation in Amsterdam, and I’d definitely stay again. We had two suites, each with a kitchen, table, sofa and separate bedrooms. The bathrooms were lovely, spacious and clean. The location was excellent, with a fantastic market street nearby, museums within easy reach and a supermarket close too. Everything is walkable, and it’s great for families.

Everything was going fine until I turned on the shower and found a lot that needed cleaning. There also weren't enough sharp knives or basic kitchen tools. The one really upsetting part was a bold man following me out onto the street to say I couldn't smoke there, even though it was open air and the site hadn't mentioned any such rule. Apart from that, things were fine.

There are plenty of places to eat and things to see within walking distance, and the setting is peaceful, which made for a nice short break. The staff were friendly and helpful, and our room was clean and comfortable, though quite small. We had asked for separate beds, but they were pushed together with little space to separate them, so that may suit couples better. The rooms don't have proper windows, so ventilation wasn't great. Bikes are available to rent, but they're old or in poor condition, so check carefully if you decide to take one. I'd call the location okay overall.