Just got great news that I will be accompanying my spouse on a business trip to Amsterdam and Brussels in June. He is attending a conference in Amsterdam and we have to stay at the Marriott. This is my first time to either city. I don't typically care for chain hotels and am unable to find any guide info on this particular location. Can anyone give me any info on this hotel, the location, access to public transportation, etc.? I'm hoping your reviews are positive as we are not able to change our reservations. Thank you in advance for your thoughts...

I have not been past the lobby of the Amsterdam Marriott, so I may not be a very good critic, but look at it this way:<BR>That's where you're booked to stay. It will probably be a better equipped and furnished hotel than most of the "local" ones. It will offer very good full service. I would choose to stay at a more "local flavor" hotel, but in the long run, yours will probably actually be a better deal. Go for it and enjoy! Get all your "local flavor" outside of the hotel and simply return to your hotel for some "homestyle" comfort and convenience.

Stayed there on a business/tour trip several years ago. Patrick has the right attitude--while it was not my choice for local flavor, it was a very well run and convenient location from which to explore a really great city. Easy access to trams, canals and places of interest-Van Gogh and Rijkstadt Museums as well as much of the unique "fun" areas of Amsterdam. Hotel was up to Marriott worldwide standards and fare and easy enough to walk to anywhere else you wanted to get to--still remember "jogging" thru Vogelspark at odd hours of the morning and night. Good access to public transportation and plenty of assistance available with the staff--go and enjoy a very unique city!

If it is the one by Leidseplein (I don't know if there is more than one Marriott), it is in an excellent location. We stayed a couple of blocks behind it. The KLM shuttle from the airport stops at its door. Leidseplein has a number of tram connections, restaurants, movies, street entertainment etc. Vondelpark is lovely, and just a couple of blocks away. Hoofstraat is supposed to be a nice shopping area, and the main museums are a short walk away. You can also catch the canal cruise nearby.

Went through the lobby area of this hotel on my stay last month. It seemed very nice, and was very well-located. If you look at a map of Amsterdam, it is located at the section of the Leidsplein that branches into an arc, with the narrow-ended entrance to the Vondelpark perhaps a block away. <BR><BR>If you would like a guidebook recommendation, I found the Dorling-Kindersley "Eyewitness" guide to Amsterdam to be a great preparation for my trip. It's a little too heavy to carry around, but the hotels had easy-to-carry maps that substituted. Despite what you may read on this board, Amsterdam is not confusing once you have learned the canal system.

<BR>ttt

Thank you all for your insightful comments. Your feedback is far more valuable than anything found in a guidebook.<BR><BR>I cannot wait to visit Amsterdam and see the places I've read so much about. I'll post a "blurb" about my trip upon my return.<BR><BR>Thanks again!

<BR>Topping for Maureen...

Maureen,<BR><BR>Hello,<BR><BR>I went to Paris and Amsterdam in April 2000 and loved it...I loved Amsterdam even more than Paris. The shopping is amazing...I as well as yourself hate chain hotels. I left it up to my longtime friend to book the hotels and she ended up booking the Radisson/SAS I was adiment at first but when we arrived...It was absolutely gorgeous. I find now that chain hotels are nicer in Europe than in the states. So don't be to quick to judge like I was.<BR><BR>As far as finding your way around I would suggest you purchase the LonelyPlantet Amsterdam Book to get you around.It includes maps,places to eat,nightlife,museums,etc. It cost around $17 US and you can carry it with you on your trip. Lonely Planet is great as well as Fodors. can't go wrong with either publications.<BR><BR>Have fun and be safe <BR><BR>Angelique

Maureen,<BR><BR>Hello,<BR><BR>I went to Paris and Amsterdam in April 2000 and loved it...I loved Amsterdam even more than Paris. The shopping is amazing...I as well as yourself hate chain hotels. I left it up to my longtime friend to book the hotels and she ended up booking the Radisson/SAS I was adiment at first but when we arrived...It was absolutely gorgeous. I find now that chain hotels are nicer in Europe than in the states. So don't be to quick to judge like I was.<BR><BR>As far as finding your way around I would suggest you purchase the LonelyPlantet Amsterdam Book to get you around.It includes maps,places to eat,nightlife,museums,etc. It cost around $17 US and you can carry it with you on your trip. Lonely Planet is great as well as Fodors. can't go wrong with either publications.<BR><BR>I'm actually planning my second trip to Amsterdam for next year. I can't wait I liked it so much.<BR><BR>Have fun and be safe <BR><BR>Angelique

I stayed there in 1996. Thoroughly enjoyed the location; good spot for transportation. The hotel was comfortable and the concierge was helpful. My friend became ill and he arranged an immediate appointment with a doctor. We were at the hotel for a week (on points) and we had friendly assistance daily. Surprisingly, we enjoyed their restaurant.<BR><BR>The hotel did not have charm and could have been picked up and dropped in any city (such as San Jose or Dallas) but was great nonetheless.<BR><BR>We were there during some beautiful weather and I remember walking a block from the hotel where people were out and about and the cafes were full. The city was full of life. What a wonderful city. Enjoy.

Hi Angelique:<BR>We are heading for the Radisson/SAS in a few days. Since you stayed there..<BR>I was wondering if it was easy to get from the main train station over to the hotel? <BR>Thanks!<BR>

Anyone have an opinion on visiting Amsterdam in July? Is a week enough time to visit? Any info would be great!<BR>

Hi, smartgirl! Yes, a week is great for Amsterdam in July. That's exactly what I'll be doing. I've been there a few times over the years, and spent between five and seven days there each time. There is so much to do and see in Amsterdam and so many great day trips to take to places like Haarlem, Maastricht and Hoorn, that anything under five days there would not really do it justice.<BR><BR>Go ahead and book a week there. You won't regret it!

Returned from Amsterdam on June 30. Wanted to thank you all for your guidance. I found Amsterdam to be a truly magical city. <BR><BR>Our hotel was in a perfect location next to Vondelspark and across the canal from Leidseplein. I would not recommend the hotel itself as I found it expensive (236 euros not including breakfast or tax) and dated. Luckily we never wanted to be in our room as the city was so alluring and the sun didn’t set until almost 23:00 (11pm).<BR><BR>The public transportation was very convenient and easy to use but I found walking to be the preferred mode of transportation. I found we were able to get to all points in the city in less than 30 minutes by foot and this provided a wonderful opportunity to discover the city. I spent days touring the museums and especially loved the Dutch history exhibit at the Rijkstadt. <BR><BR>Unfortunately for my waistline, we found many fabulous restaurants. “Pier 10” at Central Dam and a new restaurant called “Beaume” on Spui were most noteworthy. Thanks again for your postings. I cannot wait to return to this wonderful city again.