We are traveling from Brussels to Amsterdam by train. Our hotel. the Renaissance, indicates it is a five minute walk from the station but our travel agent indicates that it is a difficult walk. It seems a shame to take a taxi if it is only five minutes from the station. Can anyone tell me how difficult it would be to walk to the hotel. We will have luggage.
Thanks

How much luggage and do you have wheels on heavy ones - it is an easy walk I have done many times though not with luggage- you could also just head out of the train station and find a bench and have one person take some luggage to the hotel and check in then come back for you and the rest of the luggage- then you will know the way.

I'd walk -taxis may eschew such a short trip. Can't see why travel agent says it is a hard walk - has he/she done it - the worst part will be the train station itself - often very congested.

If I were you I'd head to platform one and walk to the end where the IBIS hotel is and use that exit to the street and avoid a lot of congested areas in front of the station. that would be the easiest way I think.

This is an incredibly easy straightforward walk. It doesn't even need thinking about.

Your travel agent must be from another planet.... ;0)

Just see Google Maps, https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Re...52.3791283!3e2

If you use GoogleMaps you can see how close that hotel is to the station. You walk out the front, cross all those tram tracks and head around the "corner" to your right. With rolling luggage it is pretty easy. We routinely walk around that same way to get to the Crowne Plaza which is nearby.

Whether it is "a difficult walk" depends on who you are and how much luggage you are carrying. The TA either gave you a one-size-fit-all pat answer provided to anyone going to Amsterdam or might be familiar with how much you lug around and how much walking you are capable of doing.

Use the map mentioned by man_in_seat_61 and you can actually do a virtual walk to your hotel on your computer to see what you are dealing with.

The TAXI might not want to take you over such a short distance.

You see massive number of other people doing the same thing although they might be on the younger side.

OK, I'll be more clear: that walk is ON PAVEMENT; it is basically FLAT all the way.

I'd agree with PQ: the walk around by Singel would be somewhat more visually attractive than following the tram route.

I stayed at the Renaissance back in 2002 and had no issue dragging my bags between the train station and the hotel. But I am used to dragging my bags more than a few blocks over sidewalks. I guess some people might find that intimidating.

I was back in Amsterdam in June (different hotel) and walked around that area near the hotel - don't think there is any special reason why it would be a challenging walk, unless you would have trouble dragging you bags very far.

The reason it might be deemed challenging is that it is quite chaotic! Trams, buses, bikes, all buzzing around and tons of people. We recently stayed at a hotel, the Doubletree, more or less next door. Every time we went out going past the train station I found it a bit overwhelming but I don't think you would want to get a taxi. Just pay very close attention to crosswalks and signals and the bike lanes!

Ask the travel agent why they believe it would be "difficult"?

Thanks everyone for your replies. After posting I started playing with Google Earth and I agree that it looks pretty easy to do. The TA was worried about "busy roads" but it sure seems like there were well marked crossings and a lot of foot traffic.My wife and I are used to walking on our European trips. We are traveling with another couple that may have an issue with transporting the luggage but PalenQ's suggestion may work well. I can do it in two trips if someone will wait with part of the luggage. I do love walkable European cities!

It might well be difficult for anyone who is not an experienced urban walker for precisely the reasons that suec1 gives.

I don't think that driving in Boston is at all stressful. Some do. What is easy for one may not be easy for everyone.

>>it sure seems like there were well marked crossings and a lot of foot traffic.<<

Yes indeed. There will likely be several tens of people waiting to cross with you at the traffic lights, as you come out of the station. Both foot and motor will soon quiet down once you get to Singel, but keep an eye out for the cycle lanes.

the hardest part will be IME of getting out of the often crowded station.- again if you take the eastern end of platform 1 exit you avoid all the hubbub in the station and out front of it and head straight to the hotel (If i recall correctly).

oops- WESTERN end of platform 1 - an exit few people use and you do not go thru the main part of the station at all.

I stayed at the Renaissance Hotel 4 years ago. We walked to and from the station several times. It is very slightly downhill once you cross the main street in front of the station. That's the only street you cross and of course there are street lights and pedestrian cross walks. The entrance to the hotel is tucked down a quiet side street, about 1/2 block off the main street.

our travel agent indicates that it is a difficult walk.>

did you ask her/him why? Obviously knew zero about the walk but that it was a walk which to her/him may mean difficult?

Like elsewhere in Amsterdam, the pedestrian's predator is the robust bicycle-riders who give way to only the trams that far outweigh them. Step well clear of the bicycle lanes or you will find yourself flattened like a Looney Tunes fall-guy.
To sum up: Of course you should walk. Enjoy Amsterdam.

>>> We are traveling with another couple that may have an issue with transporting the luggage.

Is it a couple you cannot tell to pack light?

If they are rollers, you can tandem luggage using a strap that usually comes with the luggage. I recommend you try it out at home. I found the tandemed luggage surprising easy to transport on a flat surface if the load carrying luggage is a two wheel type with large wheels. The weight on handle actually gets lighter. I end up doing this for other travelers who insist on bringing a cheap luggage that doesn't last even the first leg. If your luggage are spinners with tiny wheels, they don't do well outside airports and lobbies with perfectly flat surfaces. Amsterdam streets are brick covered and quite well maintained, but still not flat like in a shopping mall.

be aware that for the "easy exit from platform 1" you need to go down via a serious flight of stairs. not easy with luggage.