I Loved Loved Loved this Hotel!!! :)
by TripAdvisor Member stardancer
All your reviews helped me turn down the Lloyd & be happy I couldn't get the Krasnapolsky (for my tastes, terrible environs both) & look forward to Sofitel Amsterdam (I didn't book this hotel myself), where I spent 5 nights: July 11-15, 2006. Despite some miscommunications in obtaining replies via email re reservation confirmations & other questions, which were ultimately solved by their toll-free telephone customer relations staff ,and getting trapped in the tiny elevator the very first afternoon I was there ("despite" being really something, considering how terrified I was because I am claustrophobic!), the hotel surpassed even your generous reviews! The Sofitel Amsterdam was very convenient to most of the tram lines (within a few blocks walk to all) & an easy 10-minute walk from the Centraal Station, the GVB & VVV offices, on a very quiet, though not deserted street, 2 blocks from my very favorite Amsterdam neighborhood, the Jordaan, where I walked nightly, a woman alone, late at night, completely without fear!
The Sofitel Amsterdam was also the definiton of luxury:
Pictures, while lovely, do not do this place justice! While simple (my personal style preference to overdone ornate ostentation), this hotel exudes understated elegance: On the 3rd floor non-smoking floor, facing a very quiet back alley, but facing a brick wall which opened just in front of my window to part of a rooftop, allowing me alone a bit of morning sun, my room was ideal:
from the dreamy king size bed, with its silky sheets & down pillows,-- like sleeping on a cloud!....to the generous lighting & storage facilities...to the spotless bathroom, with hairdryer, soaps & shampoos, luscious towels, terry robe & slippers for my use......to the phone message system hooked into the TV (which provided free TV in 8 languages-- good for me to practice my growing Dutch vocabulary!)..........to the hot water boiler & instant teas/coffee provided free to those of us in need of caffeine immediately on waking.....to the thoughtful card left on my pillow each night providing me with the next day's weather forecast! (very very useful).........
The breakfast buffet, which I thought would be wasted on a small eater like me, was presented in a simple but bright room filled with prints of paintings by Gustav Klimt (one of my favorite artists), the tables dressed in simple but fine linen & china. The self-service buffet amazed me with its variety, anticipating every possible taste, & the pleasant staff acccommodated all requests instantly....including endless personal pots of coffee, cappucino, etc.......the fresh kiwi juice was a daily extravagance! :) :)
The hotel service also was excellent...........
When my room was not ready upon my arrival, the concierge arranged for the porter to store my luggage until it was; a safety deposit box was available without charge; one night a very nice concierge checked the kitchen closing time (unfortunately, it took me a while to get used to the early restaurant closing times in Amsterdam) of a nearby cafe; on my last morning, my request for an early morning wakeup call, usually automated, was backed up by a personal call by that morning's concierge, concerned that I not miss my early plane.
The Brazilian lady who ran the breakfast room, was warm sunshine (!)- whose smile & friendliness (as some of the other staff) I looked forward to every morning! What an angel! :)
And even some of the concierges, at first a bit formal for my simple American, New York bohemian artist tastes, eventually warmed up..........I was particularly delighted when, upon my departure, the extremely formal concierge who greeted me so formally on my arrival just days before, broke into the brightest of smiles when I told him that the Sofitel Amsterdam is the best hotel I have ever stayed at! :) (I admit that getting this hotel/breakfast as part of a trip that I won may have colored my views-- but I doubt it! I had always thought that the vacation destination mattered more than the hotel, but I am now spoiled forever!)
Exceeded our expectations
by TripAdvisor Member Goagirl
Having been highly impressed with the New York Sofitel, I decided to book the same brand in Amsterdam as a birthday treat for my husband.I was not disappointed.
I booked through the Sofitel website, and was pleased with the deal at 119 euros for one night in a standard room. I mentioned when booking that it was a birthday suprise for my husband. We went to the hotel from the airport at 11am not expecting to be able to check in, but hoping to leave our bags. We were able to check in though, and a delightful, friendly male receptionist wished my husband a happy birthday and upgraded us to one of the suites.He gave us a map and lots of local info and could not have been more heplful.
Our room was fantastic, huge, with a seperate sitting area and a massive bed, everything was of the highest qulaity and spotless. I could not fault it. When we went out in the afternoon, we returned to find a birthday card and chocolates from the hotel, a lovely touch.
We also had a free drink from the hotel and spent a very pleasant couple of hours in the cosy bar area. The barman makes a wicked Margarita!
I cannot recommend the hotel highly enough, it's location is also great.I would certainly use it again.
Great room and location!
by TripAdvisor Member kljp1
I booked a web deal one month in advance for my husbands 40th birthday and paid a bit more for an 'executive' room.
We were not disappointed - the room was excellent overlooking the front street but no noise at all. Fantastic bed! High ceilings and good decor. Everything was really clean. Cannot fault anything with the room.
Staff were really friendly and we had complimentary cocktails in the bar.
Only niggle would be the breakfast which was a bit disappointing - the choice was quite limited as when something ran out they took ages to serve more. I had read this on other reviews but decided to go for it as its more convenient than going down the road somewhere else at that time of the morning! If we go back to the hotel we would probably skip breakfast and just go room only.
Very good value
by A TripAdvisor Member
Good hotel for the value. We pay 149 euros per day without breakfast unfortunately, but.... The rooms are nice decorated with the most WONDERFUL BED EXPERIENCE that I have never had.
The lobby not so nice, but ok. In centre of town, just 5 minutes walk from central station.
Great hotel with a superb location
by TripAdvisor Member Sthlm
Great hotel with a superb location in the heart of Amsterdam within easy reach of basically all sights (walking distance to most sights, moreover there's a tram stop near the hotel and the central station is a short walk away). Booking well in advance should get you a good rate for the room. Rooms are nicely decorated, reasonably spacious and clean. In the rooms facing the street one may be a bit disturbed by the noise, so if that matters for you, try to get a room facing the back yard. Breakfast is nice, but in my opinion a bit overpriced (at 22 EUR per person per breakfast); however sometimes you might be able to find good deals including breakfast. If not, there are plenty of cafes offering breakfast at competitive rates in the area, which should suit all tastes. The hotel staff is very friendly and helpful. In short - a perfect hotel for your stay in Amsterdam!
Excellent choice
by A TripAdvisor Member
The location of this hotel is excellent - a short walking distance from the rail station and all the main sites. It's a stone's throw from Damrak, but sufficiently far away to ensure that there is no noise pollution.
We booked a "hot deal" on the ACCOR website of 129 euros for a twin room without breakfast, and were very happy with our choice. We felt that breakfast was overpriced at 20 euros per person, and decided to look outside the hotel. As it happens there's a little grocery shop just opposite, which makes the most delicious fresh sandwiches at a fraction of the cost, and also sells fruit, drinks and cakes.
Check-in was fast and efficient, and the staff were very friendly.
Our room was nicely furnished and comfortable, with a small sitting area and tea/coffee making facilities. It was at the back of the hotel, with no view to speak of, and was extremely quiet. The bathroom was small but clean, with lots of towels and Roger & Gallet toiletries.
The hotel bar is decorated in warm red tones and has a cosy feel. I was surprised that we were the only people there - perhaps Friday nights (after 11 PM) aren't popular with drinkers.
All in all, we were very pleased with our choice and will certainly be staying at this hotel again.
Forum Posts
I amsterdam Card
by carlos501b
Hi Guys,
My wife and myself will be in Amsterdam in late August, 2006. We would like to visit most of the musuems, travel around Amsterdam a lot, take canal trips,
ride the buses, trams, underground and obviously also eat out all the time.
We are staying at the Sofitel, Amsterdam. Now my question.
Do you think it would be a good idea to buy the I amsterdam Pass on arrival ??? We are in Amsterdam for 5 nights. Soooo, we could buy a 72 hour pass each, to start with ???
Any/all views welcomed with thanks and appreciation.
Carlos.
RE: I amsterdam Card
by MBDVB
The card will be an excellent purchase. It will allow you to get into the museums without waiting in lines, ride the trams, canal cruises, etc.
Have a great trip!
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