Stayed here at the NH Carlton in late October 2008 for a leisure trip with a friend. I booked this hotel with a "roulette formula" on lastminute.com (you book at a very discounted price without knowing the name of the hotel, just price, location, category and features). Location is excellent, you are next to the shopping street of Kalverstraat, in a few minutes walking you can get to Rembrant, Spui and Leidse Square and in 15 minutes you get to Dam Square and the touristy red-light-district (tip: try to avoid it and don't miss the fancy neighbourhood ot Joordan).
Staff is very friendly, mostly Italians at the desk (when I've been there the hotel had just been bought by NH from the Italian chain Jolly), check-in was very easy and fast, we bought an upgrade to a superior room for few Euros more per night and got an average-sized room on the last floor with a glorious view of the lovely Muntplein (windows can be opened).
Rooms are very comfortable even if the business-style-forniture is definitely old-styled, no flat screens here and decent minibar; my true only complain was about the bathroom: very small (refrain: not cozy, small), dark (only two built in lamps), closet behind the door (hope no one will open the door while you're in or you'll get hurt) and shower with an old fashioned curtain (sorry I hate them).
I'd suggest this property only if you are looking for an excellent location and friendly staff, (they often offer good bargain rates) otherwise you can get better value for money elsewhere in town (until they'll refurbish the rooms and the building).

I have a client in Amsterdam and travel there on a weekly basis. I normally stay in NH Caransa but it was full at the time of the booking . This is the fifth NH hotel in Amsterdam/Schiphol airport area I have stayed at and probably one of my favorites.

My accommodation is booked using our company travel agent. Unfortunately their system and that of NH Hotels isn’t quite compatible. As a consequence my reservation doesn’t always end up in the NH system *sigh*. This was also the case on this trip, but the young lady at the reception was kind enough to organize a room for me.

The room (725)was on the 7th floor facing the intersection and canals. The view from the 1st balcony , yes there are two, are great. The second balcony is located of the bathroom and will give you a view of the city while in the shower. The room itself is quite large for Amsterdam standards with a separate walk in closet located in the back of the room. The bathroom again was quite spacious and fitted with a bidet and jet bubble bath, which I have yet to find at the other NH hotels in the city.

Another feature not found in the NH Doelen, NH Caransa or NH Schiller is the movie on demand options on the TV. Ok most travelers will probably be out on the town rather than in their room watching TV, but thought it was worth a mention for the business travelers and families with kids.

Something I found convenient was a separate room located near the elevator/lift for ironing clothing. It saved me having to call for an ironing board and iron to be brought up to my room.

As mentioned in other reviews the breakfast is not the cheapest around at €20. The selection in the buffet is satisfactory but nothing special. I didn’t use the restaurant for any other meals during my stay so I can’t comment on the service or food. There are variety of places to eat in close vicinity of the hotel to cater to everyone’s taste ranging from Argentinean steakhouses to Sushi bars.

The staff were courteous and helpful throughout my stay.
All in all I enjoyed my stay and will definitely stay here again.

very good hotel, staff are fantastic, very clean. We were given a free upgrade on our arrival without us asking. Room was amazing with a beautiful view. location is good too, just a few minutes on the tram to the main city centre. it was a lovely and relaxing holiday. Staff were very helpful with guidance and advice.

We stayed in the NH Carlton over the May long weekend. Staff were terrific and always willing to help where possible.

Our room was very nice and very comfortable. The room had been recently renovated. We looked over the canal and flower market. It could be a little noisy at times with stag parties cruising the canals on boats and the chiming of tower bells directly across from the hotel, but there is double glazed glass and I didn't have a problem sleeping at all.

The hotel itself is in an excellent location, right by the flower markets. It placed us well to get around to the western part of Amsterdam (where Anne Frank's house is), as well as the southern parts of the city (Vondel Park and Van Gogh Museum).

The central train station is about a 15 minute walk from the hotel, but you don't want to stay around the main train station as there isn't much there and it isn't the nicest part of Amsterdam. The trams are also really easy to use and there are stops about 200m from the hotel.

A great hotel and would definitely recommend people stay there!