Hotel The Bird

Our room was clean but on the small and spartan side, the bathroom was functional but small with good water pressure in the shower, and the bed was comfortable. We had a picturesque canal view from the window. The hotel has a lift but no breakfast is available on the premises. The central location meant we could walk to major attractions and cafes/restaurants but public transport was nearby. The air-conditioning did not work well, even with the fan on maximum setting. Management were not interested in doing anything about this and we could not open the window to let in a cool evening breeze after a hot day. We were generally satisfied with the accommodation and feel that we were overpaying for the view and location rather than the amenities.

Bedbugs. Ended up with bites all over my arm and body. I contacted the hotel and they never responded. There are many google reviews with the same information. Wouldn’t advise staying here as they don’t seem to be treating this issue with any concern.

In a city where everything costs twice what you expect, the hotel is arguably value for money. The elevator works, the shower provides enough hot water, the room is clean, the location is excellent and the public transport nearby is handy. The beds are a bit small and the shower room is cramped. No serious moans but no real joy either.

After reading some of the bad reviews I was a little apprehensive. After a 20 minute walk from Centraal Station (practically a straight walk) we arrived. Check in was very pleasant and first impressions were good. We were on the top floor staying in a triple room and although compact for 3 beds was more than adequate for our 3 night stay. Bathroom was very small but again adequate. Room was clean, and maybe needed a little touch up here and there but again absolutely fine. Rooms cleaned everyday and towels replaced. Location was brilliant couldn’t fault that, beds comfortable, and we asked for another key card and was given one with no problem. The lights in the lift were flashing the one morning so I reported to reception and this was sorted when we returned. Amsterdam is not a place where you stay in your rooms all day as there is so much to do and see so all you really need is somewhere comfortable to lay your head at the end of the day and The Bird fitted the bill perfectly.

I had a reservation for 4 nights at this hotel post cruise ship.. While on board the ship I was injured fairly severely and had to cut my trip short so that I could fly home for surgery. I went to the site to cancel my reservation well within the time frame, however apparently I didn't hit the final button and it ended up not being canceled. My only excuse is that I was in such severe pain at the time and trying to cancel multiple reservations and I just missed that 1 step. I emailed the hotel and they never answered me so I contacted the hotel directly and they didn't answer me right away so I called them as soon as we got into port and was told the manager was not there but he would call me back the next day. He never did. So I sent another email explaining what happened along with the fact that I'm quite elderly although I still work only because I want to go on a vacation once a year. If I didn't work I couldn't do that because I only have social security to live on. At the time I told them I would probably come back to Amsterdam because I loved it there and they didn't even offer me a credit towards a room when I came back. They just flat out refused to refund any of my money. They were just very cold and officious about it, no sympathy whatsoever. I don't call that being in the hospitality industry. It was almost $900 which is a lot of money to me.. Now I have to pay my girlfriend back half of that because she had already paid me. For this reason I would certainly never recommend this hotel to anyone.

Management/ownership should not be in the hospitality business. Location of the hotel is fantastic, as is the view. That's where it ends. Room needed a major upgrade, chipped furniture, peeling wallpaper, instant coffee... all things I can deal with. What I can't deal with is poor hospitality... the owners/management should find another business to operate. Arrived before check-in time... I knew that room availability would not be guaranteed. Front desk said they will keep our bags, so far OK. Upon return, she sent us to get our bags in their laundry room... had to step over mounds of dirty linen to get to our suitcases??? Got one room key... asked for another, NO! was the answer. So, when one of us had to go out to grab lunch/coffee, we would need the room key as you need it to enter the hotel... of course the lights inside the room only operate when the card is in... Speaking of coffee... hate instant, so went downstairs to use their machine... "out of order", ok stuff happens. Went to the Heijn through the alley and got one. Next day still out... Upon checkout, had to catch an early flight, left hotel at 7:30-ish, try to get a coffee, NO! Machine doesn't get turned on until 8am??? This is hospitality? I'm a travel advisor, and my advice is stay elsewhere!!!