Hotel Plantage - Digital Access

The hotel's in a convenient location, but the noise from the street, passing tram, and activity inside was constant. The stairs are very difficult to climb with luggage, especially to the higher floor where we were moved. We wouldn't choose this place again or recommend it, even at a lower price. When we arrived, the bathroom smelled strange, like someone had never left, and hairs were stuck all over it. The floor was dirty and there were no towels. The manager said it was self-service and that we should go to a storage room ourselves to get what we needed. Luckily, a woman in the hallway helped us. The next day, a lot of water started leaking from the ceiling. We messaged them and were told there was nothing they could do, but they'd move us the following day and refund that night. They did change our room the next day and refunded one night, which was a positive point.

I wouldn't stay here again, even though the location is great. This is a digital-access-only hotel, but there was nobody to contact before arrival or during our stay. Someone did reply on WhatsApp when the fire alarms were going off for about half an hour. They kept sounding because of a room next door. Engineers also came in each morning to check and replace detectors, and nobody told us about that beforehand or during our stay. Cleaning wasn't great either. The cleaners didn't replace towels or bedding, just refolded them and mopped. If the hotel is going to run without staff on site, it needs to get its logistics and routines right.

The location isn't bad: the city center is a 20-minute walk, and there are nice cafes and restaurants nearby. But there wasn't anything else worth paying for, not even a penny. I know it's a budget hotel, but they still need to get the basics right and show guests some respect. I stayed for three nights with a friend, and it was a horrible experience. The room only fits a backpacker. Even one cabin-size suitcase would be too much. There's not a single hanger for a jacket, and the toilet door handle was broken, so we couldn't close the door. They cleaned daily, but the room never felt clean. There was tons of dust under the bed, and we found earrings left by previous guests, which was disgusting. There's no elevator, and the stairs are so steep they're hard enough to climb without luggage. Nobody's at the hotel; everything goes through WhatsApp. That's ridiculous. If something happened in the middle of the night, there's nobody you could reach.

I have mixed feelings. The room was very clean and nicely furnished, and I liked the location. But the roof leaked in my room for two full days while it was raining in Amsterdam, which was a nuisance. The staff kindly offered me a partial refund. The staircase is extremely steep and narrow. I only had a backpack, but I can imagine it would be tough with a larger suitcase or any kind of physical ailment.