My husband and I stayed at the Amrath for 2 nights in July for his 45th birthday. We booked through Expedia and were very pleased with our room. It was spacious and clean and the complimentary mini bar was a unique selling point which I have not come across in other hotels and was a real plus.

We loved the fact that the hotel has retained so many original features. The paternoster was particularly impressive and the fact they have kept it running for all to see how it would have been used was a lovely touch. The staff are noticeably proud of what they have achieved in their first year of opening and rightly so.

The hotel's location was excellent, walking distance to the red light disitrict and the station but distant enough to avoid any noise and hustle.

We ate in the bar twice and the food was excellent, the coffees were also nicely served with home made biscuits.

The Wellness centre was a real plus point, lovely large sauna, a jacuzzi and a lovely pool and we used it both days.

Our only concern was that some businessmen decided to take a couple of "ladies of leisure" into the wellness centre for some "frolicking" on our last day and the staff member manning the centre was slow to do anything about it. We brought this to the attention of the managment but had to chase to see if anything had been done. We were concerned about this as a couple with a small child went to use the centre not long after we made the complaint so we would have liked the managment to be more proactive.

However, this was a minor concern in what was otherwise a lovely stay and we would definitely stay at the Amrath again.

This is a great hotel. Firstly it is very easy to find and a short 10 minute walk from the station. The hotel used to be an office building and as such it is unique in its layout. There isn't a main lobby as such and the reception is in a little side room. The rooms are not huge, but are beautifully decorated. The bathroom is a very decent size with lots of huge fluffy white towels, a super soaker shower and a very deep bath tub. There is a free mini bar which for us was always restocked every day. The wellness centre with pool, sauna and steam room was just wonderful with such helpful and friendly staff and no children which made it super relaxing.
This is a great place to use as a base to explore Amsterdam and a welcome place to return to after a day of sightseeing. The restaurant is quite expensive though and you're only a short walk away from some top class and much cheaper places. Don't book breakfast at the hotel as you're so close to the station.
TIP: If you are planning to go to Anne Frank's house and haven't booked on the Internet before coming to Amsterdam the reception staff will do it for you. It saves you waiting in the very long queue.

Only stayed for one night, however was so tempted to extend our stay once we arrived. Check in was really friendly and efficient. Escorted to our room (16) which was beautiful. Furnished and decorated to compliment the deco style of the hotel, this is no mass market dull room. This is a beautiful room that is a delight with all the mod cons; complimentary mini bar, nespresso machine, great bath and shower, huge plasma TV, an amazing comfy bed (yes the kings are 2 singles pushed together, but they are so comfy and sturdy that they put up with our bedroom olympics ;-)) All the staff were friendly, the breakfast buffet was very good and all the facilities top noch. This is money well spent.

We booked 3 rooms at this hotel to accommodate 2 families (with 4 adults and 4 kids). We got two adjoining rooms and one large suite. There was a problem at check-in with the adjoining rooms (they are not guaranteed), but they worked with us to resolve it.

The large suite had a separate sitting room and bedroom. It was beautifully decorated in dark wood paneling with huge windows overlooking the dam. While at the same time, it had modern features such as a large flat screen TV, free wireless internet access, and a modern bathroom with a large tub and separate shower.

The two adjoining rooms did not have the beautiful wood paneling, but it was well decorated and had the same modern features.

Coming from the US, you come to expect a 5 star hotel to have a grand spacious lobby. In Amsterdam, because the buildings are very narrower, the lobby/reception area is very small. Also, the hallways don't look spectacular and there are many doors to pass through to get to the elevator. These are not negative remarks about the hotel. It's just different and something to appreciate because it was once a Shipping House. The advantage of this Shipping House is that the walls are VERY well insulated. You won't hear your neighbor above, below or beside you.

Some final points about the hotel:
- Breakfast is 25 euros, but well worth it. They have a large selection of quality food - meats, cheeses, fruits, breads of different grains, hot and cold foods.
- Wellness center is well equipped with everything you would expect. You have thick robes and slippers in every room.
- Bathroom is spotless. The most spotless I have seen at any hotel. No signs of aging and not a trace of mold anywhere.
- They use 4-ply toilet paper! I have to mention this because I have never seen it at any 5-star hotel.