I've narrowed my choices to either the Hotel Pulitzer or the Park Hotel Amsterdam.
The Park Hotel looks very nice and is cheaper than the Pulitzer but the rooms are described as having an "open bathroom" which gives me pause. Has anybody stayed here? I really would like to have some privacy when I shower and, ahem, do other business. I'm just wondering, how open is "open"?

What are your thoughts between the two and, if you have any other suggestions, please tell me. I'm basically going by the hotels listed on Expedia and will most likely do an air/hotel combo because for a week long trip, I'm too lazy to book everything separately. We will be going in mid-May.

Go to TripAdvisor and see if there are any room pictures posted by those who have stayin in the particular hotel.

An "open bathroom" plan will almost undoubtedly get mentioned in reviews and probably be shown in traveler pictures, too.

Would you rather have a written description, a picture, or BOTH????

Dukey, I have checked the pics on TripAdvisor but it's really hard to tell how open is open. From the actual reports, people loved the rain shower but don't say much more (I only read the first 10 or so reviews.) Perhaps nothing is said because it isn't an issue.

I would stay at the Pulitzer. It is a beautiful hotel and the location is better.

http://www.parkhotel.nl/panoramas/ht...otel_7995.html
shows a 360 of a superior room at he Park. If you click on the left hand symbol in the top right hand corner you can choose other rooms to view.

The Pulitzer can be a bit of a gamble. It's actually a series of smaller buildings, and there's a wide variation in the size/quality of rooms. It's not my favorite in Amsterdam.

I do like the Leidseplein area -- easy access to everywhere, including the Vondelpark. I haven't stayed at the Park Hotel so can't comment. I have stayed at the NH, Marriot, and American in the Leidseplein, and all are comfortable except for the smallest rooms @ the American.

Let me know if you also need coffee shop recommendations.

Yes rizzuto, please give any recommendations for food!

I booked the Pulitzer, it just looked like a very nice hotel and I figured I deserved it We're guaranteed a renovated room in a 17th or 18th century room and Expedia is stressing that it is for a special occasion so they are requesting a canal view etc. I would have liked to stay 7 nights instead of 6 but the package is expensive due to the hotel chosen. We're flying Delta so we can use the first class lounges thanks to my Platinum Amex card. I'm excited, I haven't been to Amsterdam since 1970 when I went on my first overseas trip, with my parents!

We have stayed at the Park Hotel twice. The second time (after it had been renovated) we had serious issues with the shower. It is open to the room and very badly designed. It leaked all over the floor. The other couple we were travelling with had the same experience.

We went to the front desk and they updated us both to another room which had a more regular bathroom and we had no problems with the shower.

It is in a great location right by the canal where you can catch the canal boats and right by the park and the Rijksmuseum.

I would go there again, but would make sure I had the room with the separate bathroom.

Laurieco,

I just checked their website and it is the Executive room that you want, not the superior. Hope this helps!!

Thanks jodej but I've already booked the Pulitzer.

Actually, laurieco, coffee shops in Amsterdam are known for certain agricultural products rather than for food (or for coffee, for that matter).

Yes, please advise Any restaurant recommendations are welcome too.

Laurieco:

I have stayed at the Pulitzer a number of times and would go back without hesitation. Very unique property. Enjoy your trip.

I went into a coffee shop last trip to Amsterdam while my wife and daughter toured the botanical gardens... I think I was the only person in there for just a coffee! ;^)

Yes, that's it, "Botanical Gardens" is an excellent description for the good coffee shops.

Well, it isn't as if they are shoving the goodies into your face. generally, people who are interested in buying the various products ask to see the menu and select from the various items which are grouped by strength (often). And then there are those wonderful product names like "amnesia" and "white widow."

Enjoy your time in A-dam and don't worry much about your hotel's location...as you probably recall, getting around (at least to SWOME parts of the city) is pretty easy on public transport.

Dukey, it's been 41 years since I was in Amsterdam! I have very few memories of it. I do remember buying wooden shoes (I was 13). The hotel however, is supposed to have a great location.

rizzuto, still waiting for those recommendations...

The Marriott is quite nice and in a central location.

She's already booked the Pulitzer.

Hi Laurie!! I love Amsterdam! We just stayed at the Marriott Renaissance in November (club floor) and really liked it a lot. The location was great!

Our favorite Italian restaurant is right across the street from the Renaissance. Savini is the name. They have great pizza and pasta.

Do the Van Gogh museum! Love it!

Oh, we also did one of the dinner canal boat cruises. We expected so-so, but were very pleasantly surprised. The food was really quite good. I can probably come up with the name of the boat when I get back home (I'm in Tulsa...ho hum... just home from Zurich two days ago)...

See you in BOS in the fall, I suppose.

Carol