I am still staying in the Banks Mansion as I write this using the free Internet access and having a drink from the Free Bar too! These are just two of the things that make staying here a great experience.
The Banks is an old converted merchants house by the Herengracht. The hotel is all done in an Art Deco style which only adds to the experience.My friends are staying here too and we all agree that we really like this hotel.
Some of the rooms have a bath and some like mine have a shower. I am more of a shower person so this suits me but you can always specify which you prefer when you book. I was also allocated a non-smoking room which is great.
One great thing about my shower is that it has a steamer built in with a eucalyptus oil option.
I was out last night and found the smoke bothered me a bit so I was bunged up in my nose today. I just put on the steam room amd then sat in it for ten minutes and found this to be a great help.
The buffet breakfast is very extensive too with both hot and cold items available.
The staff are all very courteous and helpful.
Overall I would have to say this hotel wins out because of the location, staff and overall standard of service offered. The rooms are all a decent size too which is a plus in Amsterdam as old buildings tend to have small rooms

I agree with the reviewers who liked Banks Mansion. It is an excellent value - we got a relatively low rate directly though the hotel, and were very happy with a canal view room that was quiet if the windows were closed. We found the staff very helpful and nice, the room was narrow but decent in size and very nice in decor and furnishings (art deco look, with a big bathroom), particularly for Europe where narrow and eclectic rooms are typical even in more expensive hotels. The room was charming, if you like contemporary and spare European sensibilities.

There were a lot of amenities included with the room (free in-room mini-bar, free alcohol in room and in lobby, inlcuding bottled beer and soft drinks, free snacks, complimentary breakfast which did include custom egg and waffle making, etc.) -- all of which was quite excellent and unique in our experience for any contemporary hotel in the US or Europe -- they are simply not out to strip you of every dime you bring in this place. With the decent nightly rate (180E for the two of us), for a canal view room and all of the amenities, we thought it was an excellent value.

The hotel is extremely well located, in the central part of the canal belt near the Amstel River, the Rembrandtpelin and the flower market, yet its not too inner city (where it can get a little sleazy). It was a 5 minute or less walk to the Joordan, the Spui, Dam Square, Leidseplein and the Museum area. It's very close to Tempo Doloe and other excellent Indonesian restuarants, several of our favorite coffee shops (Damkring, Rokerij and Tweede Kamer), 2 or 3 trolley lines within a block of the front door, so it is ultra-convenient.

This is a relaxed hotel with a relaxed attitude in an excellent location. We have stayed in hotels in Amsrterdam where we felt ever so slightly unwelcome, but not here. I guess I can understand how some people might find it underwhelming, but we really liked the combination of location, value and amenities. We will definitely stay here again when we come to Amsterdam.

I'm just back from a fab weekend in Amsterdam at a newish 4* hotel called Banks Mansion - it was very much to be recommended (with amazing free bar in the lounge and free booze in the room). We booked through lastminute and the rate was about GBP330 including breakfast, tax and service for 2 nights.

Amsterdam was especially pretty decked out in Xmas decorations. Went to the Rijksmuseum (very good although part of collection was in storage due to building renovations), Van Gogh museum (excellent and you can buy your tickets at the hotel desk), Anne Frank house (interesting in a macabre way), and walked through the flower market (pretty) and red light district (strange!).

We found several good restaurants, mainly informal places in the neighborhood where we were staying (Grachtengordel south) such as the Piet de Leeuw steakhouse which is a couple of blocks from the hotel, and one on Egelentiersstraat in Jordaan that was great because it had live music - called Claes Claesz.

I also recommend the newly published (July 2005) Rough Guide to Amsterdam.

I'll definitely be going back to Banks Mansion.

Have a great trip!

Stayed at hotel for husbands 40th birthday ,were given a room overlooking canal on 1st floor ,some noise but nothing to stop you sleeping,breakfast is excellent something for everyone ,this is a great place to stay in an expensive city as in cafes its 10/15 euros for breakfast,the rooms are a 4star,all in all I would give this hotel 9/10.Enjoy!!!.