InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam Master Thread
Feb 11, 2008, 4:08 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine
Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia
Posts: 2,732
Some times I wonder why IC has premium, classic, properties like the Amstel, when they also have boring steel-and-glass towers in many places. Amstel would be a jewel of a property even for the 4 Seasons/Ritz/LHOTW chains.
I'm glad it's part of the IC chain and wish they had more like it. As an RA, outstanding.
NB According to the Eurocrats, the plural of "euro" is officially "euro" ... go figure! Not that people adhere to that usage but I suppose one day there will be some law from Brussels penalizing incorrect usage :-)
Feb 12, 2008, 12:35 am
#17
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,081
My cousins swear by this property. And would not like to see this review
I love Amsterdam and the Dutch but this property is over rated IMO
Though the staff seems polished and professional I found more then a few sadly phony and not sincere during my visit. I was also refused RA mini bar privileges but ignored them and helped myself. I was told the Ambassador coordinator was on vacation so nobody knew what benefits were. I was told only bottled water is complimentary during my stay. Good try!
My upgrade however was stunning considering the use of points during my stay.
I abhor the location and the cost of taxis makes the hotel IMO a liability except for the expense account crowd and those with hundreds to toss around. Unless you are a tram fan as that might be feasable for some.
The grounds and public areas certainly live up to the hype. The small 20 year old TV in the suites pathetic for that caliber hotel.
Room service delivered a Caesar salad with Luke warm watery dressing a few measly rubbery scraps of chicken and 2 tiny scones that were hard like a rock and not warmed. The bill was approx 60 US dollars. Though I sent it back they refused to remove it from my bill and sent up yet a duplicate order after I said not to.
As I departed the hotel a desk agent confronted me in front of a family member and said we heard you were not happy with your stay.
My family member who I did everything to hide the failures from now knew there were problems.
I know my stay was probably not typical and quite frankly now knowing their strengths and weak aspects I might return in the right situation in good weather months.
That said I have plans to avoid the hotel as much as possible.
I can’t recommend the Sofitel Grand highly enough for a wonderful stay though I don’t know how the upkeep currently is. It is one of my favorite hotels in the world.And though the Sofitel Grand has had their share of celebrities the Amstel gets more of them as it is secluded from the heart of the city and it is far more private.
It also has the posh elegance sort of style going on in the lobby.
Yet I still prefer the Sofitel Grand.Personal taste bottom line
Great character and memories there at the Sofitel Grand.Not to be confused with the other Grand in Amsterdam
Their loyalty program is no great shakes however and pitiful compared to the great programs we are used to. I mourned when SPG lost it years ago
FYI Marriott is tired......Swissotel has great rooms/hot location as long as you get a renovated room or suite.No fancy lobby though and the Radisson SAS does a very good job too in town.Solid business hotels with good bangs for the buck.Have time? tour the Amstel IC by all means or spend a night and see if its for you and your taste
Cheers
I love Amsterdam and the Dutch but this property is over rated IMO
Though the staff seems polished and professional I found more then a few sadly phony and not sincere during my visit. I was also refused RA mini bar privileges but ignored them and helped myself. I was told the Ambassador coordinator was on vacation so nobody knew what benefits were. I was told only bottled water is complimentary during my stay. Good try!
My upgrade however was stunning considering the use of points during my stay.
I abhor the location and the cost of taxis makes the hotel IMO a liability except for the expense account crowd and those with hundreds to toss around. Unless you are a tram fan as that might be feasable for some.
The grounds and public areas certainly live up to the hype. The small 20 year old TV in the suites pathetic for that caliber hotel.
Room service delivered a Caesar salad with Luke warm watery dressing a few measly rubbery scraps of chicken and 2 tiny scones that were hard like a rock and not warmed. The bill was approx 60 US dollars. Though I sent it back they refused to remove it from my bill and sent up yet a duplicate order after I said not to.
As I departed the hotel a desk agent confronted me in front of a family member and said we heard you were not happy with your stay.
My family member who I did everything to hide the failures from now knew there were problems.
I know my stay was probably not typical and quite frankly now knowing their strengths and weak aspects I might return in the right situation in good weather months.
That said I have plans to avoid the hotel as much as possible.
I can’t recommend the Sofitel Grand highly enough for a wonderful stay though I don’t know how the upkeep currently is. It is one of my favorite hotels in the world.And though the Sofitel Grand has had their share of celebrities the Amstel gets more of them as it is secluded from the heart of the city and it is far more private.
It also has the posh elegance sort of style going on in the lobby.
Yet I still prefer the Sofitel Grand.Personal taste bottom line
Great character and memories there at the Sofitel Grand.Not to be confused with the other Grand in Amsterdam
Their loyalty program is no great shakes however and pitiful compared to the great programs we are used to. I mourned when SPG lost it years ago
FYI Marriott is tired......Swissotel has great rooms/hot location as long as you get a renovated room or suite.No fancy lobby though and the Radisson SAS does a very good job too in town.Solid business hotels with good bangs for the buck.Have time? tour the Amstel IC by all means or spend a night and see if its for you and your taste
Cheers
Last edited by 777 global mile hound; Feb 12, 2008 at 12:56 am
Feb 12, 2008, 1:22 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Amsterdam / The Netherlands
Programs: IHG Platinum Member, Marriott
Posts: 306
My cousins swear by this property. And would not like to see this review
I love Amsterdam and the Dutch but this property is over rated IMO
Though the staff seems polished and professional I found more then a few sadly phony and not sincere during my visit. I was also refused RA mini bar privileges but ignored them and helped myself. I was told the Ambassador coordinator was on vacation so nobody knew what benefits were. I was told only bottled water is complimentary during my stay. Good try!
My upgrade however was stunning considering the use of points during my stay.
I abhor the location and the cost of taxis makes the hotel IMO a liability except for the expense account crowd and those with hundreds to toss around. Unless you are a tram fan as that might be feasable for some.
The grounds and public areas certainly live up to the hype. The small 20 year old TV in the suites pathetic for that caliber hotel.
Room service delivered a Caesar salad with Luke warm watery dressing a few measly rubbery scraps of chicken and 2 tiny scones that were hard like a rock and not warmed. The bill was approx 60 US dollars. Though I sent it back they refused to remove it from my bill and sent up yet a duplicate order after I said not to.
As I departed the hotel a desk agent confronted me in front of a family member and said we heard you were not happy with your stay.
My family member who I did everything to hide the failures from now knew there were problems.
I know my stay was probably not typical and quite frankly now knowing their strengths and weak aspects I might return in the right situation in good weather months.
That said I have plans to avoid the hotel as much as possible.
I can’t recommend the Sofitel Grand highly enough for a wonderful stay though I don’t know how the upkeep currently is. It is one of my favorite hotels in the world.And though the Sofitel Grand has had their share of celebrities the Amstel gets more of them as it is secluded from the heart of the city and it is far more private.
It also has the posh elegance sort of style going on in the lobby.
Yet I still prefer the Sofitel Grand.Personal taste bottom line
Great character and memories there at the Sofitel Grand.Not to be confused with the other Grand in Amsterdam
Their loyalty program is no great shakes however and pitiful compared to the great programs we are used to. I mourned when SPG lost it years ago
FYI Marriott is tired......Swissotel has great rooms/hot location as long as you get a renovated room or suite.No fancy lobby though and the Radisson SAS does a very good job too in town.Solid business hotels with good bangs for the buck.Have time? tour the Amstel IC by all means or spend a night and see if its for you and your taste
Cheers
I love Amsterdam and the Dutch but this property is over rated IMO
Though the staff seems polished and professional I found more then a few sadly phony and not sincere during my visit. I was also refused RA mini bar privileges but ignored them and helped myself. I was told the Ambassador coordinator was on vacation so nobody knew what benefits were. I was told only bottled water is complimentary during my stay. Good try!
My upgrade however was stunning considering the use of points during my stay.
I abhor the location and the cost of taxis makes the hotel IMO a liability except for the expense account crowd and those with hundreds to toss around. Unless you are a tram fan as that might be feasable for some.
The grounds and public areas certainly live up to the hype. The small 20 year old TV in the suites pathetic for that caliber hotel.
Room service delivered a Caesar salad with Luke warm watery dressing a few measly rubbery scraps of chicken and 2 tiny scones that were hard like a rock and not warmed. The bill was approx 60 US dollars. Though I sent it back they refused to remove it from my bill and sent up yet a duplicate order after I said not to.
As I departed the hotel a desk agent confronted me in front of a family member and said we heard you were not happy with your stay.
My family member who I did everything to hide the failures from now knew there were problems.
I know my stay was probably not typical and quite frankly now knowing their strengths and weak aspects I might return in the right situation in good weather months.
That said I have plans to avoid the hotel as much as possible.
I can’t recommend the Sofitel Grand highly enough for a wonderful stay though I don’t know how the upkeep currently is. It is one of my favorite hotels in the world.And though the Sofitel Grand has had their share of celebrities the Amstel gets more of them as it is secluded from the heart of the city and it is far more private.
It also has the posh elegance sort of style going on in the lobby.
Yet I still prefer the Sofitel Grand.Personal taste bottom line
Great character and memories there at the Sofitel Grand.Not to be confused with the other Grand in Amsterdam
Their loyalty program is no great shakes however and pitiful compared to the great programs we are used to. I mourned when SPG lost it years ago
FYI Marriott is tired......Swissotel has great rooms/hot location as long as you get a renovated room or suite.No fancy lobby though and the Radisson SAS does a very good job too in town.Solid business hotels with good bangs for the buck.Have time? tour the Amstel IC by all means or spend a night and see if its for you and your taste
Cheers
Its sound more that you are not happy at a stay of a hotel in this kind of Luxury espec. if you compair IC Amstel with a Sofitel hotel. Amstel is not just any IC hotel.
Feb 12, 2008, 1:48 am
#19
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Moscow
Programs: DL GM and so on
Posts: 1,200
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/...ins8958_en.htm
Feb 12, 2008, 3:14 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Not sure what your problem is with the location of the Amstel.
It is very convenient for the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum and the luxury shopping street that runs down the side of the Van Gogh museum.
It is not, admittedly, so great for the tacky shopping street (Damrak?) that runs south from the railway station but Amstel guests are unlikely to spend much time there.
It is about a 20-25 minute walk to the Jordaan area and the Anne Frank museum, but as you can do the walk along the edge of the canal it is very pleasurable.
It is very convenient for the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum and the luxury shopping street that runs down the side of the Van Gogh museum.
It is not, admittedly, so great for the tacky shopping street (Damrak?) that runs south from the railway station but Amstel guests are unlikely to spend much time there.
It is about a 20-25 minute walk to the Jordaan area and the Anne Frank museum, but as you can do the walk along the edge of the canal it is very pleasurable.
Feb 12, 2008, 3:32 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,381
If I pay for IC Ambassador status I understand this would be a good property to use the 2nd free night on. I assume that this would mean one does not ALSO get the upgrade?
I had a look on the IC website but it's not immediately clear to me where to sign up. Or does one ring them?
I had a look on the IC website but it's not immediately clear to me where to sign up. Or does one ring them?
Feb 12, 2008, 3:36 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
If I pay for IC Ambassador status I understand this would be a good property to use the 2nd free night on. I assume that this would mean one does not ALSO get the upgrade?
I had a look on the IC website but it's not immediately clear to me where to sign up. Or does one ring them?
I had a look on the IC website but it's not immediately clear to me where to sign up. Or does one ring them?
A BOGO cert has no impact on your benefits at all. The only exception is (occasionally) when you book a 'breakfast inclusive' rate as the property can, if it wishes, charge you for breakfast on the 2nd night.
priorityclub.com/ambassador is the page you're looking for
Aug 19, 2008, 7:39 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DUBLIN & LCY
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Dimond Amb
Posts: 131
IC Amsterdam
I stayed at the IC Amsterdam last weekend. I had two rooms (one for my wife and I, amd the other for my mother as it was her birthday) The light fitting in my mothers room (109) fell from the celing and hit her on the arm, when I mantioned this to the manager, he seemed more concerned about fixing the light, than he was about my mother. As this happened on the last morning of our stay, I did't take this any furtehr. But now that I think about it, I'm quite annoyed. Should I go contact the hotel or the IC Amb line? Also what do you think they should do about it?
Aug 19, 2008, 12:18 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
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Aug 20, 2008, 4:35 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sun & beach destinations
Programs: UA-lifetime Platinum (2MM), IHG-Amb, HH-Diamond, Hertz-PC, Marriott-Gold, CX-AM
Posts: 1,427
I stayed at the IC Amsterdam last weekend. I had two rooms (one for my wife and I, amd the other for my mother as it was her birthday) The light fitting in my mothers room (109) fell from the celing and hit her on the arm, when I mantioned this to the manager, he seemed more concerned about fixing the light, than he was about my mother. As this happened on the last morning of our stay, I did't take this any furtehr. But now that I think about it, I'm quite annoyed. Should I go contact the hotel or the IC Amb line? Also what do you think they should do about it?
I stayed twice in this hotel. Couple of staff are not so friendly, especially if you are not royalties or celebrities
If I were you, I would definitely write to [email protected] to let them know your experience / to draw an official complaint (you are entitled to). Whenever I receive bad treatment from hotels, I usually complain directly through email to ambassador desk. They are very efficient and for sure will answer you within 2 working days. Usually they will do something to make you feel better, trust me.
Aug 20, 2008, 5:21 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
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Nov 6, 2008, 10:16 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
Ams/schiphol question
Which property is preferred : CP Schiphol or the HI Schiphol? I stayed at the HI last year, was upgraded to a nice mini suite. For my days in Dec the CP is priced about 10 euros less, so I am considering it. Any suggestions?
Nov 7, 2008, 1:38 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Bonvoy Plat (+LTP), VS Silver
Posts: 1,392
The CP was very good when I stayed there. I was upgraded to a suite and given club access (which was very good). Not the most modern hotel though. Not stayed at the HI so can't comment which is better.
Nov 7, 2008, 2:16 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EDI
Programs: BD*G -> BA Gold + A3*G (now dropped to BA Silver)
Posts: 1,083
The CP Schiphol tends to upgrade all plats (maybe golds too if space available I'm not sure) to the club floor although personally I've never had a suite upgrade. Perhaps it's because I tend to always arrive late at this hotel so the suites are already allocated. You'll probably also get a voucher for a free drink at the bar.
The lounge is nice although last time I checked they didn't have any breakfast in the lounge. This was a weekend so I can't comment on weekdays. Most times I book a breakfast inclusive rate and I've been happy with the breakfast offering in the restaurant, if the flight is really early I just take my chances on the offering in the KLM lounge.
Bus is complimentary to the hotel but you have to pay to return to the airport. If you use the shuttle bus then make sure you get your tickets for the return leg added to your bill for a few extra points
If you're arriving after midnight when the shuttle is not running or you're travelling from the centre of Amsterdam then take the train to Hoofddorp and the hotel is only a short walk from this station.
I initially chose the CP because reviews I read before my first stay were more positive than for the HI. As I was treated well I've never thought of giving the HI a try as they're both priced similarly. If I was paying with points though I may give the HI a try as it's 15000 as opposed to 25000 for the CP.
The lounge is nice although last time I checked they didn't have any breakfast in the lounge. This was a weekend so I can't comment on weekdays. Most times I book a breakfast inclusive rate and I've been happy with the breakfast offering in the restaurant, if the flight is really early I just take my chances on the offering in the KLM lounge.
Bus is complimentary to the hotel but you have to pay to return to the airport. If you use the shuttle bus then make sure you get your tickets for the return leg added to your bill for a few extra points
If you're arriving after midnight when the shuttle is not running or you're travelling from the centre of Amsterdam then take the train to Hoofddorp and the hotel is only a short walk from this station.
I initially chose the CP because reviews I read before my first stay were more positive than for the HI. As I was treated well I've never thought of giving the HI a try as they're both priced similarly. If I was paying with points though I may give the HI a try as it's 15000 as opposed to 25000 for the CP.