nicolas75

Of course a soft renovation of the rooms would be nice.
Still, I do not think that the grande dame is in bad state at all

Furthermore, RPW Design has completed the re-design of the A Bar, a chic new cocktail bar in the InterContinental Amstel some years ago.

And if I understood well, structural works should have been done recently to consolidate the 1867 listed building.

B42

Agree, I’ve had two rooms that looked very nice but had nasty stains in the curtains, walls or head board. Of course most rooms don’t look like this but if the former director has stayed in a room i was put in, I can understand his reaction.
Furthermore, the article of Quote is unnecessary hurtful to my opinion.

HadesNL

Contrary to Quote magazine, i am still enjoying my stays here.

Why?

All-round polite friendly staff
+ 5* service
(The reception/doorteam: mr. Boukir, mr. Abdul, mr. Stefan, mr. Jason, ms. Kelly and the new girls)
(The restaurant team: ms. Ayla, ms. Femke, mr. Ted, mr. Hans, mr. Jordy, mr. Otto, mr.Floris)
(with some new faces, thank you mr. Eduardo, ms. Ester, ms. Lotte, ms. Florence and ms. Wendel and others who i don't recognise without the facemask)

+ professional hospitality fulfilling requests
(Congierge mr. Peter as member of golden keys network can work wonders!)

+ big rooms

+ excellent housekeeping (Anny from Indonesia + her Surinamese colleague)
+ excellent turndown service (thank you ms. Emily)

+ windows that can FULLY OPEN to fresh air

= mark this my preffered Amsterdam hotel during & after the pandemic

We stayed during autumn and winter and observed the hotel adjusting to different market demographics wishes (domestic vs international).

The following observations:

1) the breakfast buffet is back
Hot dishes like eggs (eggwhite omelete, royale, florentine, benedict), pancakes (dutch or american style), breakfast bacon, advocado toast etc.. are provided cook to order

Breakfast buffet




2) the welcome letter specifies that breakfast is included for Royal Ambassadors


Welcome letter



3) Room service is available

Roomservice menu

Roomservice menu



4) Full minibar re-instated, (soft)drinks + adult beverages and snacks

Part of minibar presentation

Soft drinks

Drinks

Minibar pricelist


5) Laundry service is possible

Laundry price list


6) the drinks voucher is still a possibility
(Who knows if it lasts with the upcoming IHG-rewards revamp/restructuring in 2022?)


IHG drinks voucher


7) the bathroom amenities have changed from Agaria (rooms) and Anne Semonin (suites) to the Spa Collection

(Don't know if this is a temporary thing untill they acquire stock of the new brand standard of Byredo)

The amenities "Spa Collection" (heavy scent, IMO)



8) if you are dining in the hotel's Amstel restaurant, take a chance and partake in a "classic" sherry tasting. The Maître, mr. Ronald Opten, is a knowledgable expert in the different variety and tastes of sherry, providing an engaging discovery.


The sherry tasting in the Amstel restaurant


9) choice of Royal Ambassador's sweet amenity provides yummy cakes and fruit





10) Amstel Restaurant is still a pleasant choice for lunch/dinner due to the tasty dishes, friendly service and athmospheric river views. Below a sample of the dishes:



Steak tartare - Thai style



Cesar salad



Lobster



Icecream



Beef shortrib


11) Pool, Gym, Healthclub is open again

unfortunately no photos of the changing room, the sauna & steamroom due to decency laws
(we are not all to similair to Venus & Adonis)

an impression of the gym


Free weights




An assortment of machines





Mirrors everywhere




The gym has riverviews




Additional items




All basics are covered




An attendant is present



Reservations were needed during covid19 pandemic




Chilled water + towels available


And now on to the swimmingpool + jacuzzi which is comfortable heated:


Swimming pool






Opposite view+ Ample seating






Pool and jacuzzi with riverviews





Coffee & tea is available for an instant cafeďne boost





Lockers are available, ask a key from the attendant





Houserules




Houserules




12) Afternoon tea is being served on weekend in the conservatory


Afternoon tea served in the conservatory

Afternoon tea on weekends from 12.30-14.30 and 16.00 - 18.00



Ambiance

jongesander

Fully agree with you, it's still a fantastic hotel on a nice location. We are not regular guests, but enjoyed our stay last summer. The Quote review was - imho - very limited and I did not take it too serious.

And that steak tartar looks very good!

HadesNL

The Amstel restaurant serves a 3 or 4 course set menu that changes often.


Inspired by Nicolas75 's enthausiastic excellent photos, i tried to capture the flavour:

For today this was:

First course: Ceviche of perch in lime and root



Second course: Red mullet on corn & fennel




Third course: Steak in Madeira sauce




Fourth course: liquor 43 crčme brulé







Other dishes:


Onion soup (ŕ la carte)





Cod (ŕ la carte)

HadesNL

For those that have chosen the savory option over the sweet or fruit as royal ambassador welcome amenity, you will be delighted to find a cheeseplate:



4 types of cheeses Reypenaer

nicolas75

Great menu at very competitive price.
Is menu also served on Saturdays?

HadesNL

@nicolas75 : the menu is also available on saturdays and sundays

HadesNL

Scattered around the breakfastbuffet area you will find some unique hotel momentos:








Which part of the hotel hosted which crowned head in residence


And to end with.... a look at selected drinks from the cabinet:




(Besides the adult beverages also excellent Illy Coffee!)

B42

Thank you very much for the update Hades!
What a difference compared to the last couple of visits. Finally old times are back, very much looking forward to our upcoming stay👍

Raffles

I was here last night - got updraded to a two-level Penthouse Suite from a Junior Suite as an RA. I always find it odd to have stairs in my hotel room!

The front office manager, it turns out, is someone I know from multiple visits to Four Seasons Hampshire. He joined the new GM (also ex-Four Seasons) as part of the team that will - finally - be overseeing a full renovation of the hotel.

Ignoring the need for renovation it remains a captivating place. I went down to the pool around 11am today and had the whole place to myself for a full hour, with the Amstel lapping outside the windows. All was good in the world.

stimpy

Excellent upgrade and the pool area is a special and unforgettable place that helps make this hotel one of the true jewels in the IC family.

HadesNL

@B42 : Hope you will enjoy your stay! Indeed glad to say normal (yet excellent) services have been resumed

@Raffles : Happy to hear the hotel still has performed its charm on you!
Are you going to do a review on HfP?
I am a regular guest but have never got to experience the penthouse suite yet due to room occupancy needs.

On a side note: i emailed hello-at-HfP about the opening of the new lounge at Rotterdam Airport which allows access for BA passengers to London City, flying Club Europe, or hold silver and gold status * Which might of interest to your readers

atojbk

Family of 3 here and I noticed the king premier room fits 3 people. Any idea how that works? Doesn’t seem there is a sofa bed anywhere

HadesNL

Because of the new corporate renaming of roomtypes, i am not to sure what the premium roomtype exactly is.

It could be the larger roomtypes on the 4th floor :
- with space for extra bed
- i believe the hotel doesn't have collapsable sofabeds in the rooms (sofas start from junior suite and upwards)


Best is to email reservations: [email protected]

And as how does the king premier fit 3 people exactly:
- an extra bed (normally at added $)