The interesting thing about the "hold" is that MR desk said that even if your stay is on points they "hold" the cost of the room, taxes, and $50.00-$75.00 day. So,even if your room is free and you don't spend a dime (or Euro) extra (highly unlikely) they still put a full hold on the cc.

Really nice job with the video. My wife and I stayed there in April of 1988, which was pre executive lounge, fitness center etc., however it was still a wonderul stay. Unbeknownst to us, we were in town for Queens day, a celebration of the queen's birthday, where it appeared that the entire downtown area was turned into one giant flea market. We only learned of this when a bell man knocked on our door asking if it would be OK to place a string of balloons on our balcony. Of course we said yes and then set out to find the bargains of Amsterdam. Great time, great memories. And April is the time to go with Tulips in bloom.

My guess a MR agent who is ill-informed. I just stayed at a London property last month which is much higher-priced than the AMS Marriott & there was a 100GBP/night hold for incidentals, but that was it. I know the AMS Marriott uses the 75Euro/night hold.

Cheers.

SkiAdcock -- so it was actually reading your trip report before my trip that clued me in to make sure to ask for the upgrade to a "corner executive suite." So thank you for your very detailed trip report as well!


mjtx -- so the bizarre thing about the outlets is that the 2 european outlets are exposed -- but the US outlet is behind a cover. Took me about half a day before I figured out to open the cover to find the US outlet :).

Amsterdam Marriott & Govt rate Overseas Questions
 

1) I found a government rate online at the Amsterdam Marriott. Am I right to assume this is a US federal govt rate (and not Dutch goverment or something)?
2) Would it be ok to just show my US government employee ID (I don't have travel orders because this is leisure travel)? I know at US Marriotts travel orders are not needed, just ID.
3) At the Amsterdam Marriott when I try to pick a room type, I am given the option for "2 Double Beds" or "2 Double Beds Non-Smoking". Rooms with "2 Double beds" are available, but "2 Double Beds Non-smoking" are not available. However it says the Hotel has a smoke free policy. Also someone on tripadvisor said they were given a smoking room on a review from last month. So my question: Does anyone know if this hotel really is smoke free or is that a mistake?

thanks

I can't answer your other two questions, but in answer to #2 there are plenty of Gov rates at MR properties that DO require the traveler to be on official orders and to show them. There are also many that simply require Gov or Military ID and can be used for leisure trips. The simple rule is to always check the rate rules. If they don't specify travel orders or official business you should be OK.

I've never had to show orders at a Marriott.

I didn't stay at that location - but when i traveled on orders in Europe at various random hotels I don't think I ever actually showed them.

Only time I have ever had to show orders was while renting a car at the govt rate in Tucson and Tampa.

According to the hotel's website, it says it's a smoke-free property.

I stay there each year & think it's smoke-free (especially after the renovation), but given I've always been in a smoke-free room never paid attention to the overall. But at the back of my mind I think I remember the bar being smoke-free when I wandered by it on the way to the room so I think they did convert over.

Cheers.

I've never had to show travel orders at a Marriott either. However, for several years now, if you've booked a government rate, they're almost certain to ask you for a Government ID at check-in. That has always sufficed for me whether I'm TDY or on leisure travel.

It was smoke-free when we were there last October, and it was smoke-free a couple of weeks ago when we were there. I expect it's still smoke-free today.

And I don't care - I'd go back in a heartbeat. :)

Fees or No Fees....
 

I am booking a stay for later this month in Amsterdam for a weekend stay and while I am not one to challenge the expertise of those on this forum, I did notice that both the FSM and REN are showing multiple warnings on the booking about a 65 euro per night and 70 euro per night fee. Here is what I am seeing on booking as a Plat:

Marriott Rewards Upgrade, extra charge applies per night, standard certificate plus 70 EUR per night, see Rate Rules

Renaissance Newly refurbished Club Room includes;
! attention 70 euro per night surcharge to be paid on departure
! this surcharge needs to be paid in addition to the point
! redemption
* Access to spectacular Club Lounge. Situated on the 1st floor,
exclusive lounge open during the week for breakfast and
cocktail between Sunday evening and Friday morning.
* Free High Speed Internet in the room
* Complimentary Healthy Start Breakfast Monday through Friday
* Cocktail hour with snacks and non hard liquor Sunday through
Thursday evening. Honor bar in place
* Free use of minibar
* Free local calls (020 numbers)
* Extra amenities, bathrobe and slippers

Doesnt do me a whole lot of good since I am there over the weekend. But I will probably pillage the heck out of that minibar.

Thoughts on the charges? emcee

As I have a stay on points coming up in June at the Marriott (booked pre-enhancements), I logged in and attempted to book another rewards stay. It does indeed give me two options. The first one is points and an additional 70E upgrade fee for all the items you quoted, and the second is just points. I too am plat. When I choose a paid stay, there is no 70E option to upgrade to the exec lounge. So, this is meant for plat and gold on a reward stay who want in the lounge?

This is a big deal for me.

Edited: Only seems to be the Renaissance. The Marriott does not show the upgrade fee option on points.

Amsterdam Fees
 

I was trying to book a room with points last evening also. The Marriott had no fees associated, but the REN had a 70 Euro charge per night. I was looking at a 3 night stay and it came up with 210 eu PLUS 90,000 points. :mad:

I emailed Marriott and got some crap answer about how with the new program the hotels will try to offer some rooms for points no matter what the date. I.E. if they say they had one room available for points and it was taken, they are free to charge fees along with the points.

I too stated that I thought it went against the spirit of the program, especially after devaluing our points by 20% and they stated in the email that they were sorry I was confused.

I am a plat with over a million points and I am about sick of Marriott.

One more thing
 

To those who say there is no fee....go online right now and try to book Amsterdam REN with points.....you will see.

When I put in a random June date for Amsterdam on points, the Renaissance had the points/cash upgrade option (30,000 points and 70E), and there was also a points only option.

I guess that Marriott trumpeted the whole "no more stay anytime rewards" and replaced it with the oft seen resort style mandatory points/cash upgrade only option.

No guaranteed (free) lounge access means no more need to stay with Marriott. For me that is the #1 plat benefit.