Has anyone stayed at either the Marriot or Rennaisance in Amsterdam? I called there 800# and I oculdnt even get information on their locations except exact address. I would like to know where in Amsterdam they are both located, how far they are from the TRAM, locations compared to museums, dams, RLD, etc..<BR>

If you go to the Marriott website you can find the actual hotels and click on &quot;map&quot; and then zoom in or out to find an exact location relative to other landmarks. Assuming you also have a decent Amsterdam map in general you can then plot its closeness to the sites you want to see.<BR><BR>The Marriott is very close to the Leidsplein and to the Rijksmuseums for example.<BR>The Rennaisance is very close to Centraal Station.<BR>Both are very convenient to trams and various other things, so it is up to you which you'd prefer to be near. If you are planning on bus or train trips in and out to other towns, I'd opt for the Renaissance. If you're more into the bustling nightlife of the Leidseplein and going to museums, then I'd opt for the Marriott.

This question has come up before. The Marriott is a much better location in my opinion, being only a few blocks from Vondel Park, Leidseplein and Museumplein. The area around the CS is very seedy although safe.

Just checked out of the Renaissance Sunday. Stayed for three days this time; also stayed last year. I've been very happy with the Renaissance for a number of reasons: I think the location is better than the Marriot, but that's kind of a toss up - you'll have to take the tram if you want to get to the other side of AMS from either hotel or walk &amp; walk.<BR><BR>The Renaissance is a 5 minute walk from a Tram station and only a few minutes more from the Central Station, which is handy. It also adjoins the Jordan District and that long touristy pedestrian street.<BR><BR>But...in either case I usually stick with Marriott products. At the Renaissance we prepaid 149 Euros/night and got a room on the concierge floor. Essentially free breakfast &amp; dinner every night, all the Diet Pepsis I needed plus free beer &amp; wine &amp; sweets in the evening (if you prefer that over the sodas). If you're not a Marriott Rewards member &amp; have to pay for the upgrade to the concierge floor I think it's an extra $30 - 40 per night.<BR><BR>The only downside was their lack of in-room safes, though I just received an e-mail back from Esther Oving (their reservations manager) who tells me they have approval to add them &amp; have budgeted for them later this year.<BR><BR>I initially stayed at the Renaissance because it was cheaper than the Marriott (Jan '02) and simply returned because I was happy with them.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.

have not stayed at the renaissance, but have stayed at marriott....i too am a marriott person....we did not have the best experience at the marriott....our room was in the front and was very noisy...we had to keep the window open, which made it noisier, because they were unable to turn the heat off or down...it was hot as hell in the room...we got very little sleep and moved on the next day....<BR>this is the only negetive experience we have ever had in a marriott....i think we had the wrong room on the wrong day in the wrong place...i would try them again and fully check out the room before moving in and unpacking, etc...<BR>the location was great for tourists.. and i believe they had a garage for our car...

I've stayed at the Marriott twice and the Renaissance once. Both are fine choices. I personally prefer the Renaissance because the rooms are slightly nicer and more comfortable and it is an easy 5 minute walk from Centraal Station. The Renaissance is also only a 10 minute walk from Dam Square and the Red Light District, if that appeals to you. The Marriott is in the much more upscale Leidseplein district, and near to the museums. It is a 10-15 minute tram ride from Centraal Station. Really, you can't go wrong with either. If you don't mind losing some control over your booking, you can usually get one of the two on Priceline for $75-$86/night, a fabulous bargain. Check out www.biddingfortravel.com for more information.

I usually stay elsewhere when in Amsterdam but am also never adverse to staying in a so-called &quot;chain&quot; property including Marriott/Renaissance. I know folks have pointed out the Marriott's proximity to the Rijksmuseum and I onloy wanted to add that as of now the Rijksmuseum is closed (until further notice..who knows how long?) because of an asbestos problem..so that might be one factor that should also be considered.

To Bootman4U

That's interesting, because the Rijksmuseum was open when we were there on April 19th. Anyway, that sort of thing happens - can't tell you the number of museums we've had to skip over the years because of poor timing.