We just got back from Amsterdam and stayed at the Marriott 4 nights on points and then moved to the Renaissance for a 1 night paid stay. We received a Platinum upgrade to an Executive Level room free at the Marriott. At the Renaissance we were not upgraded to an Executive Level room but had access to the Executive Lounge (again no upcharge).

We were at the Marriott over a weekend and even though there is no food service until Sunday night the lounge was accessable with our key so that we could get drinks (non alcoholic) and use the computers. The breakfasts were great and there were hard boiled eggs, meats, cheeses, assorted breads and croissants, cereal, fruit,yogurt, etc. The evening offerings were great, too. There were two hot dishes, sandwiches and wraps, beverages (wine, beer, etc.), several salads and great desserts.

We didn't get to fully experience the Renaissance Exec Lounge for the evening, but breakfasts were similar to the Marriott's. We had dinner reservations that night and only saw the cold hor 'deurves and one hot dish (more could have come out but we weren't there if they did). They had several types of Port in addition to the wine, beer, etc. We came back after the dessert so really didn't get to see what the Renaissance offered. The Renaissance Exec Lounge is huge (only one computer) and the people who staffed it were very helpful.

We were in Brussels, too, and were upgraded to Exec Level. On the weekends the guests on Exec Level get to eat breakfast free in the Restaurant since the louge is closed (don't know policy for Plats or Gold who aren't on the Exec Level). The Lounge is available on the weekends for soft drinks, etc, and computers.
During the week the evening offerings there were outstanding(assorted small individual salads each night, rack of lamb and pasta one night, pork tenderloin and pasta another night, and fillet of beef and pasta the third night). They also have two computers in the Lounge -one with a US style keyboard and one with a European style keyboard.

I would definitely stay at the Marriotts again in Brussels and Amsterdam and would choose the Marriott over the Renaissance in Amsterdam due to location and atmosphere.

I just went to the Amsterdam Marriott site and looked to see what would happen if I tried to book a room using points. There is the paid Executive Lounge upgrade option. Platinum and Gold have Lounge access anyway and possible upgrades to Exec Lounge rooms, so the paid upgrade is probably for a guaranteed Exec. Level room or for Lounge access for those who aren't gold or plat. For instance, we were at the Amsterdam Hilton one night (we spread our business around this trip) and since we don't have Plat status with Hilton the only way we could get Exec Lounge priviledges was to pay a 75 euro upgrade fee (since it was for one night we passed on that option).

Update
 

So as I was reading through the replies I started getting more and more upset with this. So I took a look at the points redemption options on both the FSM and REN on the site again.

'yul lite' was correct that the FSM does have both the standard for points and the executive for points plus euros, I did not notice that last night and likely would not have just opted for the FSM and not made this post. REN just has the points plus euro option.

But the more I thought about this, the more the comments posted by gpsscuba2000 were getting to me. As a plat, I am entitled to the exec level - subject to availability at check in. And like I said before, this is a weekend stay, so the lounge is closed anyway. So there is no way I would book the exec level.

So I called plat line, and the rep agreed with me, but let me know that the hotel was sold out and that was why this was the only option. I guess that helps the case; sold out is one thing - but does make me question what is considered 'availability'. I just could not see paying 90k points AND 210E.

So she patched me through to customer service who explained to me what I already knew, but was willing to contact the hotel to see if they would drop the 70E/night....and they did!!! the cust service rep did let me know that by doing so it will drop me to a standard level room instead of exec level, but that is fine with me.

So I do appreciate the effort, and I see where they were coming from with the sold out hotel - although it seems that they have only created a problem for themselves with the 'no blackout dates', but I hate to think that I would have to go through the trouble each time I book.

By the way, which property in Amsterdam is nicer to stay at? :D (please note, I say this tongue in cheek as after this much trouble I am not changing).

emcee.

As I mentioned, we were there this past week and we stayed at both hotels. We had a regular room at the Renaissance and Plat status gave us access to the Lounge. The Renaissance has recently been refurbished and the rooms are very nice (but I missed the robe and slippers). The transportation system in Amsterdam is quite good so either property is convenient. If you get the chance, go to Keukenhof. It was a highlight of our trip-the tulip gardens are incredible.

Thanks for the update! One question, when the exec lounge was closed, did you get a breakfast credit at the restaurant? That is supposed to be one of the Gold/Plat perks but sometimes I get a look like I have 3 heads when I ask:

Guaranteed Lounge Access/Free Continental Breakfast
Help yourself to light snacks, beverages and complimentary continental breakfast in our Concierge/Executive Club Lounge at participating Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott Hotels or Renaissance Hotels. For Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott Hotels or Renaissance Hotels without a Concierge/Executive Club Lounge, we invite you to enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast on your weekday stays, Monday-Friday. Just show your membership card and room key in the hotel restaurant. We guarantee you will always receive access to either the lounge during normal hours of operation or complimentary breakfast, or we will reimburse you $100 USD at full-service hotels. (Not available at resort locations)

Upgrades and Beni's at Marriott Amsterdam
 

Hello all,
Considering booking 4 nights at the Marriott Amsterdam in late September using points--I am Marriott Gold. Anyone have any experience getting upgrades at the Marriott? I have read about requesting a corner exec room. Any other recommendations? Also, we will be there over a weekend. I assume that the lounge is closed for Bfast those days--has anyone been able to get a free Bfast the restaurant when the lounge is closed? That is one of the Gold perks, but I have gotten odd looks before when requesting it. Thanks for any advice you have to offer--much appreciated.

Guaranteed Lounge Access/Free Continental Breakfast
Help yourself to light snacks, beverages and complimentary continental breakfast in our Concierge/Executive Club Lounge at participating Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott Hotels or Renaissance Hotels. For Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott Hotels or Renaissance Hotels without a Concierge/Executive Club Lounge, we invite you to enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast on your weekday stays, Monday-Friday. Just show your membership card and room key in the hotel restaurant. We guarantee you will always receive access to either the lounge during normal hours of operation or complimentary breakfast, or we will reimburse you $100 USD at full-service hotels. (Not available at resort locations)

We were there over Easter. It was a bit crowded when we arrived, so it was a bit of a wait for a room (in fairness, we were there fairly early).

They told us the Lounge was closed for breakfast on Monday, but provided coupons for breakfast in the restaurant (I forget the name).

Trust me -- if you ever get the choice, take the restaurant. The spread is fantastic and delicious! We loved it.

Nothing wrong with brekkies in the lounge, but the restaurant is, well, a restaurant. Mmmmmmm.

Stayed at Marriott Amsterdam (off the Leidseplein) in July. Great location. Am Gold and was upgraded to the club level. Didn't ask for anything else, but they were also very full and busy.

The Lounge was open for breakfast and also enjoyed complimentary cocktail and dessert hours every evening. The lounge was open both during the week and on weekends, so there was no interruption in service.

Wonderful stay.

Hi DCislander,

Just to reply to the question about free breakfast, the bolding is mine:

If the lounge is closed on weekends, the hotel is not obliged to provide you with breakfast coupons. The benefit only applies Mon-Fri.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

I stay at the AMS Marriott each year for a trade show. They're pretty good about giving bennies to Gold/Plats when upgraded rooms are available. The e.l. staff is great. Last year the lounge was open 7days/week. I thought I saw online a few months ago that it was closed on weekends, but they adjusted bookable rates to include the brekkie on the weekend. However, Laughable says when s/he was there in July, it was still open on the weekend. I'll be staying there in 2 weeks & can report back at that time, although I normally email them in advance & can ask then.

BTW - just a heads up - for those thinking of a paid stay. Do NOT pick Sept 10th-15th, 2009, as your dates, as the rate is 395E due to being a 'citywide' event. Doesn't matter if you're there for the show or not. All the hotels in the city jack up their rates during that time.

Cheers.

We stayed at this Marriott for five nights at the end of June (Sunday evening to Friday am). We were upgraded to a corner room facing the Leidseplein, which was big enough for two adults and two kids.

At check-in we were given a sheet outlining the lounge hours:

Daily: 6 am to midnight
Breakfast: Mon to Fri 6 am to 10 am
Cocktail hours: Sun to Thurs
Hors d'oeuvres: 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Dessert: 7:30 to 9:30 pm

You could go in and grab a drink any time it was open. Staff were very nice.

It was not one of the better international lounges we have been in. It is not that large, and was absolutely heaving with people in the morning for breakfast. No tables available for over 15 minutes. One day we asked for, and were given, coupons for breakfast in the restaurant downstairs. Breakfast food in the lounge was okay.

There were two hot dishes during the evening, but they were awful all week. I could have shot 150 yards with the rock hard meatballs (served two days in a row). Another two nights we were served breakfast wraps. As in leftover breakfast potatoes and sausages wrapped up in a pita......

We liked the location, and the room, but the lounge was just so-so.

Since the lounge was advertised as closed on weekends, we moved to a Cat 2 Courtyard in Brussels for 10,000 points including free parking.

Enjoy Amsterdam.

Sounds like things vary, since the FTer staying there in July posted that the lounge was open 7days. Realize the website should match what is actually occurring.

The lounge can be busy in the summer when so many elites are on holiday with their families and while it's an ok size, if you've got lots of families of 4 + regular biz travelers, can see how it gets crowded. It's a bit that way during the trade show I attend. Most of the time there's not a 15-minute wait for tables, and luckily I've not experienced rock hard meatballs.

My suggestion to the OP would be when in doubt, email, fax or call the hotel directly. Cheers.

Good heads up. Thanks much.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.5.0.81 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Last summer when I was there, I actually thought the evening apps were pretty good. One night featured full sized hamburgers (cut into halves) which were quite tasty and made for a good snack. While we liked the lounge, we did find (over a July weekend) that is could get very crowded. As a Plat, got a corner room per SkiAdcock's recommendation and found it to be spacious enough for us. The hotel is in a great location, as others have said.

I stayed at the AMS Marriott last weekend, and yes the lounge was open on weekends; this is a change from April when I was there and the lounge was closed. I stay at this hotel 4-6 times a year and had complained about the lounge being closed on weekends back in April; it appears that enough people complained since it is now open on weekends.