The Neighbours Magnolia

The neighborhood was a highlight for us. It’s not in the busiest part of central Amsterdam, which suited us well: it’s cleaner and quieter, with nice cafés, restaurants, and a supermarket nearby. Transport is excellent, too, with a train and tram stop a couple of minutes away, Museum Square about a 10-minute walk, and the center only a few stops away. A direct airport bus stops a few blocks from the hotel. The lower price and location made the stay acceptable, but we wouldn’t recommend it. We expected a typical historic Amsterdam building, so the steep stairs weren’t a surprise, but there’s no elevator. Access would be hard for anyone with mobility issues or large luggage. The hotel is described as three-star, something like an Ibis, so we weren’t expecting luxury, just basic comfort above hostel standard. In practice, it felt more like a hostel with a private room and bathroom, at a higher price. The online photos no longer match the place, and maintenance was a major issue. Our third-floor room was very hot even though it was only just above 20°C outside. There was a fan, but no air conditioning. It could have been pleasant, with a small balcony, but the balcony was dirty and had cigarette butts left on it. The carpet had visible stains and needs replacing, the walls were marked and damaged, and the door showed moisture swelling. The bathroom was basic, the shower curtain didn’t look clean, and the sink tap was loose and in poor shape. The towels and bed linens were clean, the bed was comfortable, and there was hot water, but those are the minimum expected. There was no minibar, kettle, or room phone to call reception. On our second night, we came back from a day out to find the hotel had no water for about five hours. Several other guests had the same problem. We had to go down three flights of stairs multiple times to speak with reception. Staff were polite, but the desk is only staffed until 10 PM; after that, everything is handled remotely. Having someone on site at all times would have been much more reassuring, especially during an issue like this. One smaller downside was the 11 AM checkout, a bit early compared with many hotels.

Customer service was very friendly and they were happy to accommodate requests. The room, though, hadn’t been vacuumed, with hair and dirt all over. It was perfectly fine for what we needed, but this European hotel isn’t for you if you expect the cleanliness and amenities of an American hotel. It also isn’t ADA accessible.

The single room was small, though Amsterdam houses tend to be small and tall. The place was clean, the staff friendly, and the price seemed fair for what’s offered. Breakfast was fresh each morning. It’s easy to reach from the airport on the 397 bus, no transfers or taxis needed, and the hotel is ideally placed a short walk from the Van Gogh museum and the Rijk. I had a pleasant stay and would recommend it. Rooms facing the road can get noisy from local traffic, and plenty of guests don’t seem to realize you can close the doors without slamming them.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the room was very clean. It looked about right for the price. Getting into the city centre took around 10 minutes, with a tram stop close by. The walls are really thin, though. I could hear what was going on in the hallway and out on the street, so if you're a light sleeper like me, bring earplugs.