A lovely hotel in the centre of Amsterdam. Excellent service throughout the hotel from all staff. Expensive if using cash but now my current favourite in this city, especially if you can use some points to reduce the price.

Lots of pictures, hope they convey the excellent quality of this hotel.

General Entrance Courtyard (as seen from the room windows):

Inner courtyard public area:

One of the many nice public areas in the hotel:

A staircase that was off the main reception area:

Finally a lovely 'scene' framed in one of the windows:

Check In

I had checked in using the Accor app online a day or two in advance. I arrived around 6 PM and there was no queue so could check in quite quickly. As the room I had booked included butler service I was asked to wait briefly for the butler to come and show me the room and introduce himself to me. By the time the check in was done the butler was ready and off we went.

I had used some accor points to help reduce the rather expensive rates for this hotel (although similar to other 5 star hotels in Amsterdam). I had booked a junior suite with breakfast and was upgraded to an Opera suite. (as a gold Accor member). I had been given a letter welcoming me to the hotel and this included the drink voucher (I didn’t end up using it so can’t say what it can be used for). Late check out was mentioned but I didn’t need it but seems like they do offer members that option.

I did like the 'old school' indicators used in the elevators:

Service

I had excellent service throughout the stay and in all areas of the hotel from all staff members.

The front desk staff were particularly good and I noted they made every guest feel special, regardless of room type, le club member or not, etc…(to be commended!) ^

I did like the ability to have one contact point for any queries (the butler) but if another staff member was convenient then it was never an issue to talk to them instead (which I have heard other hotels ask people to always go through their butler). I had a shirt ironed (done quickly and very well) and was offered a glass of the house champagne at my leisure by the butler during my stay.

Nice glass of bubbles to start the stay:

I noted the room was cleaned up or tidied a few times during my one night stay so did appreciate that.

Turn down service was offered here and as I arrived fairly late, the room was already ‘turned down’.

The welcome gift was soon also dropped off at the room:

Dining

Bridges (the hallway leads to both restaurants, the Michelin starred seafood themed restaurant, where breakfast is also served (on the right) and the Bistro (on the left) for more casual eating.

Bridges is a one star Michelin star restaurant and I did not try it as I am not a seafood fan particularly and this restaurant majors on this theme. The Bistro is a more casual dining affair and also has seafood but other options as well. I had a lovely caprese salad (using Articokes instead of tomatoes as a special house version) and then some Merguez sausages in a chick pea sauce. The draft beer was also very tasty but I do think it was rather potent stuff…beware!

Breakfast was served in Bridges and there was a very large and nice selection of food items covering all areas (fruits, breads, sweets, etc…) as well as hot made to order items available from a menu. I ate around 8:30 AM on a weekday and it was still quite busy so be aware that this is popular!

I also had a drink or two in the bar, called the fllying dutchman and although quite small and intimate, it is a nice venue for meeting someone and a pre or post dinner drink. The bar chap was very friendly as well and i certainly enjoyed the two drinks he made for me.

The Flying Dutchman Bar:

The end of the bar area:

My eggs Benedict (hot cooked to order item from the menu);

Room

The suites have been given names:

The floor plan for this area of the hotel:

The main living and dining area on the ground floor of the duplex suite:

The room was a duplex suite with the bedroom, ensuite bathroom and separate WC as well as a garderobe and rather large walk in changing room upstairs and then the main living room / dining room downstairs with another guest WC. It is possible to enter the suite from the lower level as well as the upper level using either floor (and a communal elevator to reach either floor) or via the internal really rather steep stair case (as the ground floor is an older arrangement with ceilings about 3 to 4 meters high!). You definitely do not want to navigate the stairs if you are not good with stairs, had a few drinks or were elderly / small children.

Looking back at the dining area and entrance to the living/dining area:

Sideboard contents;

(Never quite seen so many 'manuals' for hotel help! great to see!):

The room was lovely, around 75 m2 in size and had everything I could ask for. The amenities were the usual Hermes items, there were TVs in the main rooms with a third TV in the bathroom as well. The ensuite bathroom was a nice size but maybe a bit cramped for two at the same time (and only one sink).

The Bedroom:

The main attraction (a lovely king bed with excellent bedding materials):

Night table detail:

Turn down service:

The Sofitel bedding is truly magnificent and I slept very well indeed. As there was very little traffic in this area of the hotel, you won’t hear much traffic in the hallways (as the door was not noise isolated very well). All the rooms could be closed off from each other so help keep areas separate and private, although I did note that there was no locking capability for the ensuite.

The Bathroom areas:

The main sink/vanity area:

The lovely deep, party bathtub: (complete with TV)

All the towels and bathrobes had the hotel emblem embossed on them:

A nice large walk--in shower (separate from the bathtub) with both a rain shower head as well as a hand wand:

The two WC’s have Japanese Toto toilets and these really are a treat if you have never tried them before. They can heat, vibrate, spray water or air over your bottom and automatically adjust the ventilation based on your actions! 

I also liked the Good Morning/Good Night vanity items on the bed which are a nice touch.

The pictures can do the rest of the talking, the rooms were very large and lovely.

The minibar had plenty of items for those interested and the tea and Nespresso selection was very good as well.

The other areas of the suite

Some pictures of the common areas of the suite:

Here the hallway and stairs area:

Stairs (as seen from the upper floor):

And then looking down the abyss...you definitely want to be in full control of your facilities (not drunk, not elderly and not a small child!):

There was also a separate fairly large room for the wardrobe and to get clothed each day just off the main upper hallway with several 2m high shelving, the safe, drawers and areas to hang things:

End of the review, thanks for reading it, hope it is of use, comments and questions greatly appreciated!