Amsterdam Hotel

There’s good access to the waterfront and city centre, but I’d avoid this place. The room was exceptionally dirty, with visible stains on the mattress and dust and dirt in the corners. I woke after one night with 35 insect bites across my body. When I raised the possibility of bed bugs, management said they could have been other bugs. The listing also says there’s free parking, but there’s no actual free parking nearby, only street parking with occasional free periods or paid spaces.

The room was okay, but the bed was really uncomfortable, and the shower barely trickled boiling hot water, too hot to touch. At 11:30pm I spent half an hour disputing the parking charge with the man at the desk. Booking.com said parking was £8, but I was charged £15. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel. It’s poor value and a waste of money. I’m being honest about my experience because I always try to be fair.

The seafront location in Brighton is good, but the rest of the stay was awful. Our bedroom had bed bugs, and apparently another room did too. At 12:30am I had to ask for another room. We’d paid for a sea-view room but were put in a basement room instead, and weren’t compensated or refunded at the time. The manager seemed to be ‘away’ all the time, making communication difficult. I won’t book here again. After the hotel responded, I want to clarify that another guest reported bed bugs too, and I uploaded photos of them. Saying there were none contradicts the evidence. They also suggested we brought them in, but we’d stayed at the Malmaison hotel in Brighton beforehand without any bed bug issue. I disputed the credit card charge, and only then, over a month later, did they refund me. I still intend to dispute it because I don’t expect to pay for a room that wasn’t provided as booked. It’s a lousy explanation, so I’m lowering the service rating from 3 stars to 2.

The staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful, and the room was extremely tidy. Staying at the Amsterdam hotel was an absolute pleasure. I’d definitely come back when I visit Brighton.