⭐ Disappointing Stay – Not Worth the 4-Star Rating ⭐
Our experience at Novotel Hotel Amsterdam was unfortunately below expectations, especially for a 4-star establishment. Upon arrival, the check-in process felt disorganized and impersonal — no smiles, no warmth, and a long line of guests waiting to be assisted. It set the tone for what followed.
The room itself was quite small and overpriced for what it offered. The carpeted flooring felt unhygienic, and both my wife and I became congested almost immediately. The radiator by the window was covered in dust both inside and out, and the air vents were also visibly dusty — a serious concern for anyone with asthma, like myself.
Several details reflected poor maintenance and a lack of attention to detail: the towel hangers behind the door were broken, the swivel mirror in the bathroom was tilted and couldn’t be straightened, and the TV was awkwardly positioned off-center from the bed with no swivel mount to adjust it. To make matters worse, the wrong TV remote control had been provided, with only a few buttons working, which meant I couldn’t access the settings to adjust the brightness — the screen was stuck in dark mode, making it uncomfortable to watch.
There was also no proper complimentary coffee or tea available in the lobby — only cheap capsules provided in the room. I would have appreciated proper coffee, as most other hotel establishments of this standard offer. The sound insulation between rooms was poor as well; we could hear the neighbors much more than in other hotels.
When I wanted to explore the breakfast buffet, I was surprised by how expensive it was. Before committing, I asked if I could simply take a quick look at what was being served, but the staff member refused, saying only paying customers were allowed inside. That response alone made me decide to skip breakfast entirely.
Room service was another disappointment — not only were the prices high, but there was also an additional €7.50 “service charge,” which seemed unnecessary since that’s typically the point of room service.
I had checked in on Saturday at the earliest time (3 p.m.) and requested to use the on-site laundry service, only to be told I was too late — it had to be requested in the morning. I was then informed that the service is closed on Sundays, meaning I couldn’t use it at all. I found that quite unreasonable for a hotel of this standard — what 4-star hotel closes its guest services on weekends?
Housekeeping was also oddly handled. Instead of regular daily cleaning, you had to specifically request it — which I only found out by asking. Usually, I have to ask housekeeping not to come, not the other way around. This is something that should be automatic, especially when you’re paying premium rates.
The beds were uncomfortable, and the bedding felt cheap — more like something from a low-budget store than what you’d expect from a 4-star hotel. The bed was also supposed to be a queen size, but it felt more like a small double. I had also booked a “city view” room, but most of what I could see was the rooftop of the Novotel building itself, with only a small glimpse of the city far off to the side.
If I can say one positive thing, it’s that the mini fridge worked perfectly — ironically, it was the only part of the room that truly felt “4-star.”
Overall, nothing about this stay reflected the quality or comfort expected from a hotel of this rating. While the location may be convenient for some travelers, the lack of cleanliness, maintenance, and genuine hospitality makes it difficult for me to recommend this hotel — especially at the price charged per night. I’m genuinely glad I only booked one night.
