I too arrived at the Sofitel with high expectations. The website photos looked great and the staff had responded to all of my email requests quickly and graciously. Traveling with friends, we booked a superior room at a rate of 185E and an executive suite at a rate of 295E. for a four night stay.

I arrived around 10am, pleased to discover the hotel was honoring my request for an early check-in. The process was quick, the staff very friendly. Unfortunately, my happiness level decreased when I saw my suite. I was located on the 6th floor overlooking Dam Square. Decorated as you see in the web photos with blonde and dark woods, the tiny living area was about 7-8 feet with a small sofa, chair, desk and built in cabinet with an expresso maker, minibar and tv. The promised cd player was missing. There was a small doorway to the bedroom just barely holding a king-sized bed with another small doorway to a bathroom. Very small, almost like regular room but cut into two compartments. I called the front desk and commented that the suite seemed very different from the one shown on the website which contained a table and chairs. I was told that I'd been given one of the largest suites. This, I learned later, was not true. The second room wasn't ready until later in the day. We appreciated that the staff had provided a room right across the hall from the suite, facing the back of the hotel. It was a tad dark but otherwise fine with the same blonde/dark wood decor. The bathroom was spacious with a very large bathtub and very clean. It closely resembled the website photo.

The hotel is located on Dam Square across from the Royal Palace and just a few blocks from Central Station, the center of tourist mecca. The Grand Krasnapolsky is across the square and the Hotel Amsterdam is next door. The tram stops right in front of the hotel with additional stops for other routes very close by. This makes the hotel very convenient. You can hop on a tram or you can walk to your destinations. We walked everywhere, had a fun dinner and walked back to the hotel with no problems.

The suite was claustrophobic to sleep in and the noise of Dam Square made it impossible to keep the windows open. The tram bells proved to be the greatest challenge. A housekeeper showed us a junior suite the next morning and, at our request, the hotel allowed us to move into it, generously lowering our rate to 225E. A VAST IMPROVEMENT over the suite. The junior suite is about the same size but without the wall that creates the separate living area. The bathroom wall is made of glass, which adds to the feel of spaciousness. The junior suite is larger than the superior room and not as dark. Bottom line: skip the executive suite and get a junior suite. Request the "07" suites.. rooms 207-507. They are the best with a tiny set of stairs into a room with a beamed ceiling. We didn't land one of these junior suites but the housekeepers recommend them. They also recommend the suites on the opposite corner of the building. I think they are rooms 217-517 but I may be off. Apparently these are junior suites as well the larger one bedroom suites. They also have a tiny set of stairs into the room and come with tiny balconies overlooking Dam Square. If you book with Swissotel, email the hotel and request these corner rooms.

Breakfast came with our rate but we only ate in the hotel a couple of times. The breakfast is good, with a variety of breads, pastries, cereals, cheeses, smoked fish, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and fresh juices. But there are so many other places you can go and if breakfast is not included, you have to pay 20E which is too much in comparison with all of the nearby cafes. I was also a bit outraged that the hotel charged my friend 20E for the 'breakfast' on the morning of our arrival when all she had was a cup of coffee and roll while she waited for me to put my things into my suite.

Other observations: the rooms have AC but it does not always work very well. You cannot leave your windows open because of the noise so the rooms can get a bit stuffy. The decor is very pleasant and contemporary, Definitely a step above many of the other hotels in the area, but even recently renovated rooms have a bit of a 'worn' feel. The beautiful wood floor of the junior suite was badly stained in one area, truly a shame. The housekeeping staff is top knotch. The rooms are very clean and the bathrooms are spotless. The staff overall is very accommodating although one person left us cold. The internet access offered from the rooms is spotty. I could not get it to work and could not get someone from the staff to help me. I had to resort to the business center computers. Also, the crowds of tourists during the day wear you down quickly and the street toward Central Station is a bit seedy at night. I think it is because the hotel is very close to the Red Light District.

The hotel has great potential. You really want to like it with its upscale room decor.. central location.. pleasant staff.. and clean enormous bathrooms. Hotels often grow on me after I get past the biasness of my expectations. Unfortunately, this one did not. I doubt I will stay there again. After walking around Amsterdam, I think I will sacrifice the 'great location' on Dam Square for the charm of the canals and more 'residential' areas. I am more likely to stay at a place like the Ambassade for less money, more charm and a bit of quiet.