Prinsengracht Museum Bed and Breakfast

The property is a basement apartment, with no real view unless you count the feet and ankles of people walking past the window. It was also far from soundproof. We could hear people upstairs running on the stairs, setting the dinner table, and using the bathroom, and street noise was unbelievable. Two cannabis bars are down the block, and people roamed the street screaming all night. I woke at least once an hour despite wearing my noise-canceling headphones, then had to put earplugs inside them. It was stressful and not relaxing. I booked six nights, but after four nights without rest I found another hotel and checked out two nights early. The listing advertised a quiet view and soundproof walls, which was why I booked. When I told the host the noise was the reason I was leaving, they said nothing could be done about the street noise and that they provide earplugs, which were next to the bed. If guests need earplugs to sleep, the place shouldn't be advertised as soundproof or quiet. I find that misleading to the point of fraud. After checkout, they refused to refund the two unused nights, saying I hadn't given them a chance to solve the problem. They'd already said they couldn't solve it without earplugs, so I don't see how they could have fixed it. They also acted extremely unprofessionally, hanging up on customer service staff who called to resolve the issue and then refusing to communicate with them. We tried to sort it out for more than a week. I can't recommend this property. It wasn't as listed, it was loud and not relaxing, and it ruined a trip I'd planned and saved for all year. Nothing can make up for that. Don't take a chance on this place. There were also communication problems about dropping off bags. I was told I could always do it, but when I tried, they said bag drop was only available from 1 p.m. It's a mess dealing honestly with the limits of the property and service. I added a photo of the supposed great “city view.” If you leave the curtain open, anyone passing by can see you in bed. In an edit, the host has now taken the common tack of calling a woman “crazy” for complaining. They also said they were guiding me from the taxi stand. I'm familiar with the Dutch train and tram system and planned to take public transport from Schiphol airport. But after assuring me when I booked that dropping off my bags before official check-in was “always possible,” the host changed his mind that morning, after I landed. I had to take a $65 taxi to meet him at the property or drag my suitcases around the city all day. I'd never taken a taxi from Schiphol before, and I shouldn't have needed one that day. These people are too much, saying I have emotional issues. My emotional issues came from the chronic lack of sleep at this property. I was very eager to leave.

The place is only 5m from the Reijksmuseum and 20m from Dam Square, right in the centre, with plenty of shops and restaurants along the way. We stayed in a spacious basement room with its own entrance, a comfortable bed, and a modern bathroom. Jaap and Roy were very friendly and made us feel welcome, and the guide they provide has good restaurant and leisure suggestions. You can hear quite a lot of street noise at night from young people heading to or leaving bars on the back street. It wasn't a big problem for us, and they provide earplugs for that reason.

Most of the sights are close enough to reach on foot from this place in the heart of Amsterdam. The hosts were exceptionally friendly and helpful, and the room was beautifully furnished and clean, with a modern bathroom. Thanks so much for a wonderful time ❤️