I chose the Fort Amsterdam because of the location, price, and size - a 2-room B&B overlooking a canal, centrally-located, reasonable rates. I'd read a couple of glowing reviews and thought the website pictures were charming, but I can honestly say I didn't expect it to be as wonderful as it was.
The owners, Berry and Marcel, know it's about the details. The chocolates on the pillow, the Benetton robes, the tiny Christmas tree and lights right in the room, the adjustable heater next to the bed, the soft drinks and beer in the room's small refrigerator, the variety of personal grooming products in the bathroom (which, although shared, was always impeccably clean), just to name a few, and I haven't even mentioned breakfast. Every morning we had a choice of assorted fresh breads, warm croissants, spreads, fruit, cereal, snacks to go (which we really appreciated!). The refrigerator, whose contents, as we were told, were available to us 24/7, always contained cheeses, meats, pates, yogurt, milk, the MOST amazing fresh orange juice, soft drinks, even beer and wine. As if that weren't enough, there was always something special awaiting us at our breakfast table - hard-boiled eggs, or fresh pineapple, or tiny pancake & strawberry skewers (yummy), or fruit salad. Did I mention the coffee? They have a DeLonghi Magnifica Super Automatic coffee maker always at your disposal. Truly the Rolls Royce of coffee makers. Coffee will never taste the same!
We were lucky enough to be there for New Year's Eve - when we returned to the room in the early evening, we found a bottle of champagne on ice with 2 glass flutes, and a bowl of warm oliebollen (traditional New Year's Dutch treat). We celebrated the stroke of midnight on the canal bridge in front of the b&b, under a canopy of fireworks along with most of Amsterdam it seemed (Nieuwmarkt is famous for its firework displays). Our New Year's day breakfast included scrambled eggs, bacon, and lox and cream cheese baguette sandwiches.
I can't say enough about Berry and Marcel. Sweet, helpful, generous, unobtrusive, totally cool guys. For sure, you can't go wrong staying at Fort Amsterdam. Enjoy!


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