My husband and I are stopping off in Amsterdam on our way to safari in South Africa. Would you recommend spending two or three nights? We would be going in January and staying at the Marriott because I am using my marriott reward points. Does anyone know anything about the hotel? We usually stay in the Four Seasons/Ritz Carleton, so I was concerned about the quality of the rooms at the Marriott. But of course, I love a free room!

I stayed at that Marriott in 1997. I remember it being ordinary but comfortable and in a good location. Pretty much, it looks like a Marriott yoiu might find in San Jose or Cleveland. It was nice that the people at the front desk all spoke excellent English. When my friend needed a doctor they got right on the phone and made her an appointment for the same morning.

We spent seven nights and I could have stayed longer, but then, we were there in June, not January.

Three nights is certainly not excessive in that you will not run out of things to do. We were there for six nights last year and had were not bored when we left.

The Marriot is going to be very standard compared to the Four Season/Ritz, The Grand Sofitel, Hotel L' Europe, Amstel Intercontinental,or the Pulitzer are the places to stay that would be similiar. Check out the bar at the Hotel L' Europe, Freddies place, very nice spot to have a drink. Ironically I have friends from phoenix that just went on safari and stopped in Amsterdam for four nights, they just got back. Amsterdam is a ball.

I stayed at the Marriott in Amsterdam in September 2002. It's a nice place, adjacent to the trendy Leidsplain neighborhood. Pretty much like a Marriott anywhere else you've been, except you're more likely to get a breath full of pot smoke walking down the hall on the way to your room when someone open's their door. Well...I did. Probably a possibility at any hotel in Amsterdam.

Andrew

We stayed at the Marriott in May and they gave us an upgrade without asking, which was a nice, but not luxurious room. What was nice about the Marriott was the location, helpful staff, and the yummy chocolate at the reception desk. There's so much to do and see in Amsterdam, well, if you're an artlover that is, that we didn't spend much time in the room. We only spent 3 nights there and I could have easily spent more.

On my second trip to Amsterdam for three nights this June, I stayed at the Marriott. If I were you and this is your first stay in Amsterdam, I would definitely try and stay for three nights if possible as there is quite a lot to see and do in and around the city.

I thought the Marriott was perfectly fine for my needs. I was looking for a decent hotel in a great location that I could pick up for a good price. I got the Marriott from Priceline. I was very pleased mainly becauase I thought the location of the hotel was excellent for getting around Amsterdam - it was very near some good tram routes and many places were easily walkable from the hotel. If I go back to Amsterdam I would look for a hotel in the same location.

However, my only reservation is that your needs may be somewhat different. The hotel rooms were reasonably spacious and well set out etc. However, I doubt I would put it in the same category as a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons (although I have never stayed in either). If you want a good hotel but ultimately just see it as somewhere to relax/sleep then you will have no complaints. If you are looking for a "hotel experience" (whatever that is), I think you may end up a little disappointed if your expectations are that high. But for you, it will be free anyway!

Having been to A-dam many times, I would ultimately agree with Where2Travel.

Since you have made the decision to use points and stay at the Marriott I am sure you won't regret it.

There are several more luxurious hotels in the city and not everyone thinks the Leidesplein is "the" place to stay in the city, but it is handy for public transport and within walking distance of some sites.

I do not think the Marriott rooms compare favorably with those in a hotel such as the Europa but they are certainly adequate. Free is always good unless it is an absolute hovel, and the Marriott is far from that.