Hotel Prins Hendrik

We could walk to Central Station and nearby amenities from this spot, which was a big plus. When we arrived, our quadruple booking had only three single beds. The staff sorted it out straight away, brought us another bed, and even offered to move us to a different room. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating. The only hassle was that some parts of the hotel, including our room, had no lift, so we had to carry our heavy suitcase up and down.

There are stairs inside some of the rooms, which gives the place a bit of charm but might be difficult for some people. The staff were friendly, and breakfast was included, too. Best of all, it's right across from Amsterdam Central, so getting around is easy. A different sort of stay, and one I'd recommend.

If you're after a fancy hotel with golden handles for a night, book the nh or one of those wildly overpriced places. I wanted to feel Amsterdam as it is, so Prins Hendrik suited me well. It's a very central hotel, the rooms are clean and have what you actually need, and the employees are friendly and trustworthy. The price is fair, too. Just judge it by what matters to you, not by standards you don't need.

The room was the biggest problem: it smelled of mildew, had no AC, and lamps by the bed had dead bulbs. Street noise came right in, including the cafes outside, and trash collectors and workers cleaning tables woke us at 5 am, banging chairs around. I'd only suggest staying one night at most, and only if you're a very low-maintenance solo traveler. There are some real positives. The hotel has an elevator, free breakfast with lots of choices, and a bar/restaurant attached. Plenty of cafes and places to eat are nearby, and it's just a 5 min walk to central station. They also give just one key to the whole group, which you have to leave at the front desk whenever you go out and collect again when you return. That's an outdated, inefficient setup when you're traveling with several people.