Jake1

logos--those Americans you encountered must have been from very dry desert areas with less insect life. Believe me, most of us know how to use insect replellent as a matter of urgent self defence! Much of the USA has a climate very conducive to critters that like to take bites out of human beings.

logos999

Jake, they would have died without me. Totally incapable of surviving ouside of their cars. Actually in Cancun those are the only americans yoou meet.

Jake1

logos: Yeah, I have cousins who have lived in the backwoods of Maine their entire lives. Fine, hard working, generous people who are great fun at a party, but it's difficult for them to get to Augusta, let alone out of the country--other than infrequent shopping jaunts to Canada.

One took his first "real overseas trip" recently. To an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. lol

Well, for him it was a big step. And from his description of the experience I think it has sparked an interest in somewhat less conservative travel experiences in the future. He even has a passport now.

valerie

My husband and I are headed to Amsterdam in early July and while I know that many people say that you don't need a/c, we want to make sure the hotel has it -- we just like it.

I booked a room at the Estherea hotel, thinking it had a/c, but now I'm not sure since I can't find it mentioned anywhere on their website or elsewhere. In a panic that all hotels were going to be booked, today I made a reservation at the Toren.

There were a few others that I was considering, but they are booked for the time that we are going(Ambassade, Dylan).

So now it's down to the Estherea (if I can confirm that they have air conditioning) and the Toren. Does anyone have any positive (or negative) thoughts on either hotel?

Thanks.

valerie

I've been doing research on these 2 places (Estherea and Toren), but still can't decide -- help!

Opinions anyone? Thanks!

Travelnut

Have you emailed the hotels to ask if they have A/C? I doubt it b/c it isn't mentioned on their websites anywhere, and that would be a feature that customers would be interested in...
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]

Amsterdamby.com says the Toren has a/c, but its own website doesn't say. The Toren might be a slightly nicer location than the Estherea.

The Marriott Amsterdam is centrally located and has a/c.

valerie

Thanks very much, Travelnut. I did email the Estherea today to ask them, but haven't heard back yet. But then a friend of my husband's who lives in Amsterdam called the Estherea for me, and they say that they do have a/c.

On the Toren's website, when you go to book a room, it lists a/c as a feature in the deluxe rooms, plus I have seen it listed a few other places.

I have stayed in enough European hotels (mostly during the summer) to know that it is a crapshoot, but hopefully it won't even be so hot and it won't be an issue.

Thanks again, it sounds like either place would be fine, but maybe we will go with the Toren.