I ought to say a few words about the hotel, the Ramada Amsterdam Centre, from where I write this blogpost. The words 'Amsterdam Centre' are a bit misleading. In essence, if I was comparing the location with London, this fantastic establishment would be in Croydon or Sutton, but certainly not in the centre of town.
Now I would be foolish to say that it's out on limb because it took me two hours to walk from here to the Novotel and then another hour to reach the very hub of this great European city. For a start there are good rail links into the centre. In that sense, the hotel is 'well connected', but then again, no, it's not well connected. From the nearest Metro station, Postjesweg, it's about a 15-minute walk, if you hoof it, so, arguably my assertion that this place is nowhere near the centre of town is correct.
Other than its location, it's a wonderful hotel. In fact, I have nothing really to moan about. I'm staying in Room 514 on the fifth floor in a spacious room with a decent desk and even a sofa. There are wooden fittings, which conceal a 'wardrobe' - better make that 'space in which to hang stuff' - and there's a decent-sized television, albeit a rather complicated piece of equipment that takes an age to switch off. I resorted to calling reception, as you might have read two posts back. The trick, I was told, was to keep the red button on the remote pressed down for at least 15 to 20 seconds and sure enough it switched itself off. The only other real gripe I have is the WiFi and that's because I have to re-log-in every day. It was fine yesterday, but for some reason today there's been a problem, which only the guy on reception could fix. Still, it's working so all is well.
The bathroom all works fine too, which is good. The shower is perfect, the sink too, and the view from my hotel window is very pleasant. Sometimes views from hotel windows can be not so good, just take a look at the panel above this post, press 'Hotel Views' and you'll see what I mean.
I forgot to mention the safe. It works fine, just like all hotel safes, so there's nothing to grumble about.
Fortunately, considering the location, there's a hotel restaurant, and it's located on the 17th floor offering guests panoramic views across the city. There's a central bar, seats surrounding it and tables dotted around the place, all offering decent views (see above).
The food on offer is 'trendy' but very nice. There's a selection of 'signatures' and a note advising you that the staff will be able to offer you their matching skills. This put me off slightly because that fact that matching was involved probably meant small portions, tapas style, so I avoided that part of the menu and went for what seemed to be more traditional. On day one of my stay I enjoyed the trendy F17 burger, an architecturally challenged construction, but very tasty and accompanied by a bowl of chips (as an extra). I started with a brocolli soup and finished with an apple tart and ice cream. I ordered a large bottle of mineral water too and a Solero 'mocktail' and rounded the lot off with a real mint tea, meaning there were mint leaves aplenty in a glass of hot water that remained hot for a considerable time.
On day two I ordered bell pepper soup followed by a mushroom risotto and a couple of Heineken 00 non-alcohol beers. Again, fine, absolutely fine. Similarly, on day three (today, Wednesday) I started with soup (celeriac) and then a Skyburger, which I think included duck liver (possibly foie gras, which I abhor, not just because it means awful things are done to the duck, but also because I spent a few years editing a fine dining magazine and found foie gras on my plate very often, along with the odd King scallop, another comestible I can no longer stomach as a result. I know, I shouldn't be moaning, but there you have it. One thing I discovered today was that the hotel charges 4.50 euros for a bottle of Heineken 00, which is the same price as a 'normal' beer containing alcohol. Something not right about that.
The 17th floor restaurant is trendy and vibrant and always packed. On Monday night I managed to get a table, but since then I've been offered a seat at the bar where it is more likely that you'll end up in conversation with a stranger. Fine, if you don't mind, but irritating if you're comfortable in your own company. I can take it or leave it. I've always been a reasonably sociable person.
Breakfast is also on the 17th floor, but not in the restaurant. The morning offering is good, there's everything you could possibly want and if you're not in a hurry it's worth finding a table where you can admire the view.
Because the hotel is generally very good I can forgive it for being out on a limb and I can quietly forget about the minor wifi problems and the television that takes an age to switch off. It's a great place and I would definitely return.
The check-out was as smooth as the check-in and, as always, I found out that the hotel was more connected than I originally thought, so ignore what I said earlier. The girl on the front desk told me that there was a tram stop behind the hotel (well, I didn't know that!) and I could link with a train to Rai station. She also told me that I could catch a train from Rai to Schipol Airport so rather than leave my case with the concierge, I took it with me and left the hotel without buying a fridge magnet from the shop in the lobby. I'd have to get one somewhere else, probably the airport.
I trundled out of the hotel and headed for the tram stop and soon I was waiting for a train to Rai. Now, I'm working, soon there is lunch and after that I'll be working again, until 1600hrs when I'll head for Schipol airport and a short 40-minute flight home to London Gatwick.
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| The view from room 514, Ramada Amsterdam Centre |
Other than its location, it's a wonderful hotel. In fact, I have nothing really to moan about. I'm staying in Room 514 on the fifth floor in a spacious room with a decent desk and even a sofa. There are wooden fittings, which conceal a 'wardrobe' - better make that 'space in which to hang stuff' - and there's a decent-sized television, albeit a rather complicated piece of equipment that takes an age to switch off. I resorted to calling reception, as you might have read two posts back. The trick, I was told, was to keep the red button on the remote pressed down for at least 15 to 20 seconds and sure enough it switched itself off. The only other real gripe I have is the WiFi and that's because I have to re-log-in every day. It was fine yesterday, but for some reason today there's been a problem, which only the guy on reception could fix. Still, it's working so all is well.
 |
| Inside room 514, ignore my coat on the bed! |
I forgot to mention the safe. It works fine, just like all hotel safes, so there's nothing to grumble about.
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| The view from the 17th floor restaurant at breakfast this morning |
The food on offer is 'trendy' but very nice. There's a selection of 'signatures' and a note advising you that the staff will be able to offer you their matching skills. This put me off slightly because that fact that matching was involved probably meant small portions, tapas style, so I avoided that part of the menu and went for what seemed to be more traditional. On day one of my stay I enjoyed the trendy F17 burger, an architecturally challenged construction, but very tasty and accompanied by a bowl of chips (as an extra). I started with a brocolli soup and finished with an apple tart and ice cream. I ordered a large bottle of mineral water too and a Solero 'mocktail' and rounded the lot off with a real mint tea, meaning there were mint leaves aplenty in a glass of hot water that remained hot for a considerable time.
On day two I ordered bell pepper soup followed by a mushroom risotto and a couple of Heineken 00 non-alcohol beers. Again, fine, absolutely fine. Similarly, on day three (today, Wednesday) I started with soup (celeriac) and then a Skyburger, which I think included duck liver (possibly foie gras, which I abhor, not just because it means awful things are done to the duck, but also because I spent a few years editing a fine dining magazine and found foie gras on my plate very often, along with the odd King scallop, another comestible I can no longer stomach as a result. I know, I shouldn't be moaning, but there you have it. One thing I discovered today was that the hotel charges 4.50 euros for a bottle of Heineken 00, which is the same price as a 'normal' beer containing alcohol. Something not right about that.
The 17th floor restaurant is trendy and vibrant and always packed. On Monday night I managed to get a table, but since then I've been offered a seat at the bar where it is more likely that you'll end up in conversation with a stranger. Fine, if you don't mind, but irritating if you're comfortable in your own company. I can take it or leave it. I've always been a reasonably sociable person.
Breakfast is also on the 17th floor, but not in the restaurant. The morning offering is good, there's everything you could possibly want and if you're not in a hurry it's worth finding a table where you can admire the view.
Because the hotel is generally very good I can forgive it for being out on a limb and I can quietly forget about the minor wifi problems and the television that takes an age to switch off. It's a great place and I would definitely return.
The check-out was as smooth as the check-in and, as always, I found out that the hotel was more connected than I originally thought, so ignore what I said earlier. The girl on the front desk told me that there was a tram stop behind the hotel (well, I didn't know that!) and I could link with a train to Rai station. She also told me that I could catch a train from Rai to Schipol Airport so rather than leave my case with the concierge, I took it with me and left the hotel without buying a fridge magnet from the shop in the lobby. I'd have to get one somewhere else, probably the airport.
I trundled out of the hotel and headed for the tram stop and soon I was waiting for a train to Rai. Now, I'm working, soon there is lunch and after that I'll be working again, until 1600hrs when I'll head for Schipol airport and a short 40-minute flight home to London Gatwick.
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