Great staff, good tourist location, amazing breakfast and large apartments. I would recommend a stay at this hotel.

Having been a regular visitor to Amsterdam over the last 10 years I finally got around to trying out the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.

An easy going friendliness was instantly evident from the doorman, receptionist, luggage chap and waitresses. The whole staff provided a warm welcome and were highly efficient. No niggles at all.

We were given an apartment rather than the standard room that I had booked. This was a short walk through the rear of the hotel, accompanied by the luggage chap. Might be a viewed as a ‘dark alley’ if you didn’t know Amsterdam too well. No problems during our stay but if you are a nervous traveller it might not be the right part of the hotel for you. Get someone to take your bags. A 5 Euro tip (per case) always gets a good response.

We were on the 3rd floor in a corner apartment where Pjlsteeg meets the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. This is the edge of the Red Light District and it is busy into the small hours. There will be noise. The apartment was massive. Split over 2 floors. The lounge/Kitchen-diner on the first floors with windows over looking the canal and side street. A further set of steep, narrow stairs leads to the bathroom (Washer/Dryer) and the huge attic bedroom. Seemed like there were fresh towels, robes and toiletries for 10 people.

No mini bar or coffee stuff but the kitchen had a fridge and everything else you might need. There is a shop below that sells basic supplies (open till about 7pm). The safe is in the bedroom (I never used this due to previous reviews about problems with cash being stolen). TV on both floors, stereo and VHS player.

It definitely needs updating but it was reasonably clean. Housekeeping doesn’t seem to come daily to the apartments. I think mainly because there are enough supplies to keep you going for the duration of your stay. This did not cause us any issues.

Breakfast in the Winter Gardens was very nice indeed. Comparable in price (25 euro pp) and semi-self-serve format to most of the big Dutch hotels, it’s enough to keep you going all day. Don’t be shy to ask for more champagne if you find the ice bucket empty.

The location opened up some parts of the city that I hadn’t been in years. I even ditched the usual taxi ride in from Schiphol in favour of a train ride and a short walk from Centraal. Pretty much hassle free but don’t forget to keep some coins handy (about 4 Euro one way) for the ticket machines at the airport/ train station (the machines at CS don’t accept visa cards for some reason – only maestro). Dam is always busy and expect to battle the crowds at some point. You will feel like a tourist as this is the main drag for those visiting but the central location and easy transport options give you access to the whole of the city.

I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to experience more of the main hotel but the apartment was good overall (mainly because it was roomy enough to relax in when the weather got too bad). I will use this hotel again.

If you are looking for dining options I always take time eat the following –

Indian – Akbar : located at the Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 15 near the Leidseplein/Leidsestraat.
Chinese – Sea Palace : Oosterdokskade 8 near Nemo.
Steak - El Rancho Argentino VI : Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 71- 73