We paid approximately £120 per night (no breakfast) over the weekend for a room that was basically hostel standard. Such a disappointment. We had to keep the bathroom door closed permanently because it smelled so bad. The room itself was extremely basic, would have been OK in a hostel, but was very poor quality for a 3 star hotel. Very poor value. We were given a twin, and never allowed to change to a double despite asking every day.

The rest of the hotel was pretty cool, including bar and attached nightclub. Service OK. If that's what you're going for, you'd probably enjoy it.

We spent over the long weekend at hotel- we booked rooms before hand appr. 6 month before our trip. Rooms were dirty and small. No real wardrobes and place to keep clothes. A lot young and party people . Breakfast reasonable. BUT in the last morning - pickpocket took one of our ladies handbag - so be carefully there !!

Hovering between OK but some problems and Above Average! The hotel is stunning and stylish - it's described as minimalist and the rooms certainly are! We had 2 deluxe rooms off a downstairs corridor. High ceilings and very narrow with the bed on a mezzanine floor up steep open wooden stairs so not suitable for everyone but a fantastic wet room. Also loved the public areas especially the courtyard outside the bar and dining room - just right to sit and relax in after a hard days sightseeing. Breakfast was good and plentiful - buffet style so it was all or nothing - could be an expensive piece of toast and coffee! The hotel is an easy tram ride into the centre - it is possible to walk in but took us about 50 minutes to the station. We did have some problems with noise - not from 'one of the best clubs in Amsterdam' (earplugs available from reception!) but from people going back to their rooms.

I booked the hotel very late via the internet. My family of 3 kids booked two roms at the hotel basicaly because there ewasn't much left over easter and the reviews on trip advisor were a bit patchy.

I couldn't have been more impressed with the place. The reviewer who said that it best suits backpackers is talking out of his back passage.

1) The hotel is in a quiet area not far from the zoo. The area is beautiful and we all enjoyed the walk to and from the city centre. It's a 20 minute walk to Rembant square and all the main bits.

2) The hotel is an old orphange and it's absolutely beautiful. the lobby and second lobby is awsome. Full of designer touches. Another reviewer said that the staff were rude. I thought they were great. If you go up to reception and treat behave like an demanding american tourist then you will get a frosty reception. I think that the staff really seem to care about the place and seem to be a close team.

3) We were given 2 rooms (my 3 daughters got a small suite comprising of 2 bedrooms. We got a wierd room with a lounge and a staircase up to a double bed. Very starnge but very odd. Yes the rooms are absic but there's a tele and the beds are really comfy.

4) The bar and restaurant are SOOOOOOOOOOOO cool. The restaurant is 10 euro starter / 20-25 euro main course area. We didn't eat in there as the bar menu offered many of the dishes and seemed more lively. We had 2 meals in the bar and they were exeptional. Real quality with super service. They do a lunch menu, a lter snack menu (super) and an evening menu.

5) I wasn't expecting to pay for parking but the hotel has a 20 euro per day secure car park. I thought it was a bit steep. Costing 100 euros for Monday - Friday Parking.

6) We had a great 4 days in Amsterdam (went over on the north sea ferry). We walked and walked. We didn't feel that the hotel's position out of the main centre was a great problem. It was nice to walk in and burn a few calories!! Try the Amsterdam Dungeon and Anne Frank's house. The Van Hogh museum was a bit poor, I'm not an art buff but a 10 year old could have done half of his paintings. The Rijksmuseum was super. next to the red light area (to be avoided if you have kids!!!!!) is a mini-china town.

I would stay at the Arena again. It offers good value and was one of the best hotel experiences I have had (and I've had loads!!!). Definitely not a backpackers pad or a budget hotel. It's a beautiful, clean & trendy hotel. The food and bar is exeptional