Alfred Hotel

We booked two months ahead and got a December rate at about half the usual price, which made this place an amazing deal for Amsterdam. The hotel is peaceful and outside the center, but getting into town is quick. There are plenty of cafes and cozy restaurants nearby, even in December, when we really felt the Christmas atmosphere. Our superior room was clean, and we liked the staff and location a lot. For what we paid, 10 out of 10.

The worst part was losing my AirPods during the stay. I reported it right away and asked the hotel to investigate. They later said they had questioned staff internally, but found no evidence for my complaint. They accepted no responsibility and offered no compensation, and the issue is still unresolved. I filed a police report. Whatever the hotel thinks happened, my belongings disappeared while I was staying there, and I never got a satisfactory explanation. The follow-up was especially disappointing: I received apologies, but no meaningful help or goodwill compensation, even though several other problems were acknowledged. Those problems included a persistent smell in the bathroom, continual noise from pipes and water, disturbances at night, and poor communication with reception. Nothing effective was done after I raised them, and I was told there was no possibility of moving rooms because the hotel was full. This left me feeling that my things weren’t safe. Based on this experience, I can’t recommend the hotel. If customer service and the security of your belongings matter to you, I’d look elsewhere.

The neighborhood was lovely, with lots of shops, cafes, and restaurants, and it was nice not to be right among the tourist crowds. The tram ride to the city center took about 10 minutes. We arrived before check-in time, but the kind receptionist let us into our room early, and we had a great view. I’d absolutely recommend this hotel.

For a low price, this hotel was a pleasant surprise. It’s close to everything but quiet enough for sleeping, and the room was clean with a strong rain shower. The staff were always helpful. The bed was softer than I prefer, though. I rented a bicycle for 24 hours, and breakfast is available if you want it. I’d stay here again.