Yes, I've stayed there twice, in Sept 08 and Nov 09. I have struggled to find an ideal luxury hotel in Amsterdam--and haven't stayed at the Dylan due to multiple reports of the rooms being very tired. But perhaps that's changed. At any rate, Amrath ended up being a default choice rather than something I'd passionately recommend. That said, I do think it's good value, with many of the features of a 5-star hotel, although other aspects seem decidedly 4 stars.
Some details:
The building itself is architecturally fascinating, the former headquarters of a shipping company, so it's shaped like the prow of a ship, and is embellished with a wealth of metalwork and brick art deco detailing. The offices of the heads of the company are now the best suites, and they're impressive in a period way--very high ceilings, etc. But the hotel and rooms do feel as if you're in a former corporate building from that period--so it's somewhat quirky that way.
And the room decor is, to my eye, garish and oppressive. Walls are wallpapered with a red wallpaper with swirling ocher patterns. The floor is carpeted with red, black, yellow, and white stripes. Equally garish curtains. Perhaps that has something to do with an attempt to recreate the period?
Free minibar, but it's very lightly stocked. Bathroom with walk-in shower, tub. The room furnishings, were minimal: 2 black chairs, a table, the bed, a small desk.
In the basement there is a whirlpool and sauna.
The buffet breakfast was just ok--nothing special in the offerings, just the typical.
I didn't eat dinner in the restaurant.
Nothing special about the service. Not bad. But nothing stood out.
The location is superb, just the shortest of walks from Amsterdam Central Station.
It's probably worth paying more for the rooms with views of the historic center, rather than looking away from it. You'd want one of the rooms with the high ceilings and HUGE windows--not one of the windows on the top floor with the smaller dormer windows and the lower ceilings.
So if this price is right, and you don't love the other competitors, it's a fine choice. (In my mind, it's a much, much better choice than the Hotel Pulitzer.) I'd be curious to hear what others think the best choice is in Amsterdam right now, since I'll be back there again next December. Is the Dylan on the mend? If not, maybe I'll be at the Amrath again, despite my mixed feelings about it.