Name: Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel
Address: Kattengat 1, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1012 SZ, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 (0)20-621–2223
Price range: $$$

Fodor's Expert Review

This centrally located hotel has big, bare public areas and bustling lounges and restaurants. It looks and feels like a large chain hotel, but there are also a few hidden charms, such as a cozy downstairs café, which boasts great apple pie and a lovely terrace. The historic remains of a 17th-century church, reached through an underground passage, now serves as a conference center.

You Should Know If the latest décor is important to you, keep looking. While well-maintained and clean, Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel is looking a little dated, but we’re told that phased renovations are in the works, starting in 2018.

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Room

The 402 rooms are simply and functionally furnished with blue accents. Most have small sitting areas, and desks with good lighting and ergonomic seating, as well as amenities like air-conditioning, mini-bars, and flat-screen TVs. Save for some rooms with views, however, you’d have no idea you’re in Amsterdam. The stripy carpets and faded wallpaper are in need of replacement. And, while there is free WiFi in the public areas, it does not come free as a standard in all room types.

You Should Know While you hear relatively little street noise, the doors of the rooms are poorly isolated, so you can hear sounds from the hallway. Speaking of the hallways, they can be a little confusing and we got lost a few times.

Bathroom

Small but modern, with plenty of counter space, a proper hair-dryer, back-lit shaving/make-up mirror and lovely TOKYOMILK bathroom products. Many come with a shower-in-tub arrangement.

Lobby

The hotel is popular with cruise lines and bus tour operators, so the lobby’s always heaving with people. It is large and quite spare, though there is free flavored water, and some seating around a fireplace.

Tip There is private on-site parking (€58 per day), a rarity in the crowded Centrum.

Gym

A 24-hour gym offers all the amenities.

Dining

The on-site restaurant, Scossa offers "honest Italian cuisine" for lunch and dinner. The hotel’s buffet breakfast (usually not included) is also served here. Or visit charming Koepelcafé with its beamed ceilings and large leaded-glass picture windows for more traditional local options, such as stamppot, bitterballen or freshly baked apple pie.

Drinking

You have two options: a fully stocked bar with cocktails at the ruby colored 2b Lounge & Bar or simpler drinks and bites at the cozy Koepelcafé.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

Situated between scenic Kattengat with its circular church and higgledy-piggledy gabled houses and bustling Nieuwendijk, known for its motley crew of stag-do-friendly coffee shops and greasy spoons, you’re in-between two worlds here. Only a short work from Centraal Station, Renaissance Hotel is an ideal base for those who want to be in the thick of it without sacrificing comfort.

Restaurants

Fix your morning woes with some of the city’s richest croissants, butteriest brioche and most perfect pain au chocolat at artisan French bakery Gebr. Niemeijer (1-minute walk). For dinner, gastro-bistro Kaagman & Kortekaas (7-minute walk), which creatively combines traditional techniques with surprising ingredients, is a must for meat-lovers. Or wander over to De Belhamel, one of Amsterdam’s most romantic restaurants, with its Belle Epoque ambiance and French-Italian fare.

Bars

For some of the most creatively presented cocktails in town, head to craft cocktail bar Tales and spirits (3-minute walk). Low-slung champagne bar Bubbles & Wines (13-minute walk) is an oenophile’s delight with over 50 wines by the glass