I have stayed at this hotel several times, and it is very consistent...exactly what you would expect from a well-run Marriott. Staff is friendly, but nothing outstanding. Concierge is knowledgeable. The hotel has an excellent location, near the Leidseplein, public transportation, Vondelpark, and museums. Complimentary coffee/tea in the lobby in the mornings, but no coffee maker in the room. Pizza Hut is good, but I have never eaten in the fine-dining restaurant. Rooms are nice (you won't have to take the risk that you often have in Europe that the rooms are small or dirty), and the new beds are super-comfortable!

After a 55 minute flight from Bournemouth plus a manic transfer from the airport is was welcoming to arrive at the Marriott Amsterdam. First impressions from the exterior aren't promising - a drab 80s concrete structure. Once inside however, it improves with a small lobby, bar, gift shop, fitness centre and a choice of restaurants. The staff were very polite and friendly and the rooms booked were located on the 5th floor towards the rear of the hotel (very quiet). The rooms themselves were quite large in size, with two double beds - the TV could receive BBC channels (BBC1 & BBC2) which was a bonus. The bathroom however was somewhat dated and had seen better days, with numerous stains around the bath - rather surprising considering this is meant to be an upscale four star hotel. Our rate included breakfast (it is ridiculously expensive if on a room only basis- there are numerous cafes and bars within the immediate vicinity), the full american breakfast was fantastic with a full choice of fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, cooked and waffles - the restraunt staff were wonderful, very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. In summary, the hotel is quite well located for the Van Gogh Museum & Rijiksmuseum - however it is a good 25 minute walk to Dam Square, The Red Light District, Anne Frank Huis & Centraal Station; a tram stop is located within two minutes of the hotel so access to these places is easy. Overall the hotel was pleasant but in need of modernisation in places - next time I would probably stay closer to Dam Square.

I could go on and on about the dreadful service at this hotel, but i'll just summarize it all with the following statement. The front line staff are not interested in the least with listening to or addressing a customer's needs or concerns. They are only interested in getting you in the door and up to a room--not about any preferences or reservation confirmations. They are all too quick to make excuses--and the same excuses over and over and over again.

I'm a Marriott Platinum member and have been for years and have NEVER been treated with such indifference at a Marriott property.

The front line people at this hotel do not care about customer service--even their most loyal customers.

Now about the actual hotel--it is located in a great area with abundant transportation options. The hotel itself is rather tired. The first room they thought they would put me in was about the size of a postage stamp. After my incessant complaints and talking with just about everyone in the hotel, I was moved to a room that was of normal size. The effort to get moved to this second room was FAR BEYOND any I would have expected.

I see such glowing reviews and I simply can't agree. My stay was nothing special. Mundane is a good word. I didn't find the bathrooms to be overly clean, and the carpet was definitely worn out a bit. This is an older Marriott and in need an upgrade. If the best Marriott in the world is a 4, and the worse a 1, this is a 2..heading downward.

The location was quite nice. Make that "can't be beat", but cabbies running from the train station to this hotel will try to rip you off if you don't have the right accent. Staff was quite friendly and helpful.

Run stumbler on your PC in the window and you might be able to get a lower cost wifi signal from some nearby buildings rather than the expensive in-room rates they charge at the hotel.