upndair

I'm going to use some points and go on a vacation to Brussels and Amsterdam this summer. There are Marriott's and Renaissance's in both cities. Has anyone stayed at any of these properties? Just looking for some feedback on which one would be better for someone on vacation.

Thanks

Global_Hi_Flyer

Depends on what you want to do, and the price.

I personally like the location of the Marriott in both cities. I've stayed at both. Had a great room in both (last trip to BRU I was upgraded to a corner room overlooking the Bourse). Had very good concierge service there when I requested that he recommend a neighborhood restaurant that he'd go to (as opposed to the standard tourist place).

Ren in AMS was recently renovated. Location is not quite as good, but is much more convenient if you plan to take the train. My stay was perfectly fine: top floor room, good lounge (but the lounge at the Marriott is better IMHO).

Have not stayed at the Ren in BRU.

SkiAdcock

Welcome to FT! If you do a search (upper right corner of this forum) on AMS or Brussels, it will bring up a lot of threads for you to peruse re: the properties, especially in AMS. I did a detailed trip report on the AMS Marriott, including pics. I'll try to find that & post. Haven't been to Brussels, so can't address that.

Here's the link:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ight=Amsterdam

Cheers.

GregWTravels

If it is your first time in both cities, I would suggest the Marriott in Brussels - which is just steps from the Grand-Place - and the Ren in Amsterdam, which is close to Central station and the red light district. Though, really, you can't go wrong with any of the central choices in either Amsterdam or Brussels.

Check out my trip report on Brussels Marriott and Ren Amsterdam here, as well as a comparison I did of the two hotels in Brussels here.

jwchef1975

We stayed at the Ren in brussels as GOLD in Jan 09 (off season). we were upgraded to the largest room easily 1000 sq ft, and were givedn free dirnks in the bar (lounge was closed as it was a weekend) and free breakfast which was fully worth 30 euros pp. Really depends where you want to be. The Ren is on top of the EU capital, in a quite area about 1/2 mile walk from the subway. No knoweledge of the Marriott.

mjtx

We were in Brussels and Amsterdam this past April. In Brussels we stayed at the Marriott and were very pleased. We were upgraded to a large corner room on the Executive Level. The Lounge didn't serve breakfast on the weekend so we were given breakfast coupons for the restaurant. The location was convenient for us and we would definitely stay there again.

In Amsterdam we stayed at both the Marriott and the Ren (4 nights at Marriott and 1 at the Ren.). Both were very nice and the Lounges were pretty comparable as to food offerings (this was before the Marriott was renovated so I don't know how it is now). I would say that your choice of property should depend on what part of the city that you want to be in (although I personally liked the Marriott better I would stay at either one again). We found both to be convenient to restaurants and public transportation.

All 3 properties had computers in the Executive Lounge so if you are on vacation and don't want to spring for the computer charges you can use the free computers in the Lounge (there can be a wait, though, since often there are more people than computers).

SkiAdcock

Not to take it off-topic, but that's the part I find funny. People are on holiday & they're clamoring/hogging the i-net terminals. Folks, give your family your cell # for emergency purposes & enjoy your vacation. Geesh.

Cheers.

newbiztraveler

I stayed at the Marriott Brussels last year and loved it. The location is excellent, right next to Grand Place... a quick walk to Delirium Cafe . The staff is nice, the lounge is superb.

Global_Hi_Flyer

Don't know about you, but I send my photos back to a server in the States on a regular basis. Just in case I run across one of those CBP folks that would seize my computer.

Besides, I have a worldwide blackberry for email.

SkiAdcock

Well, we're taking the thread off-topic, but nope - I don't send photos back nor do I check email when on vacation. Having sat in the AMS Marriott exec lounge & watching the folk on holiday (making this kind of on topic), I can say w/ 100% certainty that they're not sending photos back either. And a lot of the vacation folk I see there aren't touting Blackberries either

BTW - I need to get to Brussels at some point. Not been before.

Cheers.

yyz-kin

I have spent a lot of time in both cities and heres the scoop:

AMS
RENN:
It is close to the action and in a good location close to all the touristy places. The lounge staff was great but the rooms are quite small and, as a PLAT, I did not receive any special treatment in a dozen visits.

Marriott:
Awesome. I love the hotel. Location is further away but MUCH nicer. Hotel is nice and the lounge is really good with an extremely helpful attendant. It is in a higher end part of town with great shops near by and a large park...and also the Casino if your up for donating some money to the Gov't. They treat PLATs well.

BRU:
Marriott - never stayed at this property but I would concede that the location is the best you can get. Close to the attractions and lots to do near by.

Renn/Marriott Executive Apartments - I lived in both of these properties and, though removed somewhat, you are a short train ride away from everything else. Avenue Louise is a short walk away as well with lots of restaurants and shops. Renn was FANTASTIC to me - always assigned a suite no matter the rate. The apartments are even better - they are large and well appointed with a mini kitchenette, livingroom and bedroom. 1.5 baths too! It is generally cheaper at these properties during the summer months as the EU is out of session. If you do stay here, go to Fat Boys around the corner for a Juplier and say hello to Bo.

Global_Hi_Flyer

Guess I'm just the rare one, then. I used the internet connection at the BUD lounge (they had 2 standard CAT6 connections available to plug your own laptop in to @ no charge) to upload trip pictures to friends and family (and for the aforementioned data security), as well as use of Skype and email. Had some family matters to address.

It avoided the $35+/day (US equiv at the then current exchange rate) charges in the room.... about the highest I've seen. I might have used the in-room option were it reasonable.

Brussels is worth the visit. The Marriott is nice.

diederik

Havent stayed in the Marriott (only the next door NH hotel) in Amsterdam, but the location is much nicer than the Renaissance hotel. Almost everything on walking distance and if not, trams are just a couple of meters away.

USFreak

Has anyone had experiences with having 3 guests in one room at either of these two properties?

I have 2 friends of mine traveling with me and we are paying for the Brussels stay and using points for the AMS Marriott stay. The Marriott let me book 3 guests with points but if it were a revenue stay, they wouldn't let me book a room. In Brussels, it seems that it won't let me book 3 for my revenue stay.

I don't mind paying an extra 20 euro for an extra person in my room but to have to buy a 2nd room would bust my budget.

SkiAdcock

USI, I think you'll be fine w/ the AMS Marriott. I think BigLar had 3 in his room last year. Not been to Brussels, so can't address that property.

Cheers.