Hi there,
Today I will tell you how my experience in this hotel was where I stayed for 5 days.
When we decided to stay at the Park Inn by Radisson in Amsterdam, our choice was based on one fundamental factor: value for money. This hotel promised to be quite an attractive option, as it included breakfast and claimed to have vegan options. The location, while not ideally central, was convenient, with a subway stop right next door. However, what we found during our stay was far below what we expected, especially for a four-star hotel.
The room: questionable design and bad surprises
From the moment we arrived, we started to notice the first details that did not meet expectations. When checking in, we were surprised that there was no staff available for the process, but we had to do it through a self-service kiosk. This type of procedure may be acceptable in a lower category hotel, but for a four-star hotel, we expected a more personalized treatment. In addition, information about the hotel’s operations, such as room cleaning or breakfast schedule, we had to ask for it ourselves, which we found unprofessional.
When we went up to the room, we found the decor truly shocking. We had seen pictures of the hotel online and thought we would get a room with calmer colors like green or blue, but instead, we got a bubblegum pink room.
The design was so gaudy and in such poor taste that it honestly left us with an immediate feeling of discomfort. The quality of the finishes was not good either: the windows were patched and had visible holes.
Cleanliness: a big disappointment
Cleanliness was another of the most negative points of our stay. Upon entering the shower, we noticed that there was mold on the walls, which is unjustifiable in a hotel of this category.
The water pressure was weak, and the hot water was unstable.
In addition, the room cleaning was not done daily as it should be in a four-star hotel. Since they did not clean on the first day, we called to complain and were informed that if we did not leave a special card at the door, the room would not be cleaned. That card was not easy to identify or understand, as it was poorly placed on the bathroom door and with long and confusing text. This seemed more like a cost saving strategy rather than a well thought out system for guests.
Throughout our stay, cleaning was also late, and on several occasions, we would find the room uncleaned at 4 or 5 pm, just when we wanted to get some rest before leaving again. This was compounded by details that reflected the lack of maintenance throughout the hotel: from boogers stuck on the walls to dirty chairs and carpets in the common areas.
Breakfast: limited options for vegans
While there were a variety of options for people without dietary restrictions, the vegan options were extremely limited. Although we had previously asked and had been assured that they did offer vegan options, the reality was that there was only cereal, some fruit and a makeshift salad. The bread they served contained milk, so we couldn’t even enjoy something as basic as bread and margarine. In a city like Amsterdam, with such a varied vegan offer, I was surprised to see that a hotel of this category was not better adapted to the needs of vegan guests.
Common areas: an unpleasant experience in the lobby
After checking out, we decided to spend a few more hours at the hotel before leaving for the airport. We planned to just clean up a bit in the lobby, but the experience was unpleasant. The lobby area was nothing more than dirty chairs in the same place where breakfast was served. The common bathrooms, which should be a solution for guests, were dirty and poorly maintained, with only two wc and a single washbasin. Instead of feeling fresh and ready to go, we felt dirtier trying to use those facilities.
Summary: The best and worst of the Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam
The best:
- Well connected to the subway, making it easy to get to different parts of the city.
- The mattress was adequate to rest, although the pillows were of lousy quality and worn out.
Worst:
- Poor cleaning.
- Ugly decor and poor-quality finishes.
- Lack of vegan options.
- Confusing cleaning system: The cleaning process relied on a card that was not well placed and no one explained how it worked.
- Lack of a functional lobby: The common area was not suitable for resting or washing up, and the common bathrooms were in a deplorable state.
Final verdict: Would I recommend it?
No. Poor hygiene, poor service and disappointing options for people with specific dietary needs make this hotel a poor choice. Although it has some acceptable amenities, the neglect in the most important areas and lack of attention to detail make it difficult to recommend, especially when it is advertised as a four-star hotel.