Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam/Arena Boulevard

The reception team made my stay, especially Ms. Izabela. From the start she was warm, professional, attentive, and quick to help, always with a smile. She made me feel welcome and valued, and I don't often come across that level of hospitality. Thanks to her and the fantastic team, I'll definitely return. Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam / Arena Boulevard is in a great spot, with shops, restaurants, and public transport nearby, and the city center only minutes away. The atmosphere is still calm and comfortable. My room was modern, spotless, and well maintained, and the bed was extremely comfortable after a busy day. Breakfast was fresh, varied, well organized, and had plenty of good options. I highly recommend the hotel for business or leisure.

The subway is conveniently close, but outside there were giant rats everywhere. Getting to the room was awkward too. The parking garage isn't attached to the hotel, there are no carts, and we had to drag our luggage down a side street. The gate kept failing throughout the stay, so someone had to walk back out with me after check-in to let us in. The garage also smelled strongly of urine. Breakfast was a disappointment: the heat lamps didn't keep the food warm, the eggs were ice cold, and the cheese was hard and crusted around the edges. Toast or waffles were the only things I felt safe eating. The bathroom door handle came off every time we touched it, and we found some kind of medicine on the floor, so the room hadn't been cleaned properly between guests. Staff were polite, and some were helpful, but others made us walk back inside to the desk when the parking door wasn't working, even though they knew about the problems.

I've stayed in plenty of four and five-star hotels over the years, for work and holidays, and usually choose well-known chains for comfort and quality. This one was disturbing. It's very crowded and noisy, and breakfast felt like a packed, loud factory canteen no matter what time we went. I'd call it suitable for a short trip, but not somewhere to expect a peaceful or relaxing stay. I booked well ahead, yet was given a room overlooking the back street and garage. When I asked reception for a front-facing room, they said the back rooms were the only ones with a queen-size bed, and offered a front room only if I accepted twin beds. I wasn't convinced, but didn't push it. The hotel car park also has no direct connection to the building, so you have to go out onto the street and enter from outside. The front entrance is on a pedestrian street, meaning you have to carry your luggage across it. Parking costs 40 Euros per day, charged midnight to midnight, so four days comes to 160 Euros. There is no bulk payment option, and you don't have to be a hotel guest to park. Last month, a five-star hotel in Hamburg charged 17 Euros for four days. Luckily, there's a 24-hour car park 300 meters away that costs 20 Euros.

Izabela at reception made us feel welcome as soon as we arrived. She was kind and helpful, and it really made a difference. Our room was clean, comfortable, and well kept. Breakfast was included, simple but good enough to start the day. There's no restaurant in the hotel, but plenty of places to eat a short walk away. We had a really good stay and would happily return.