Catalonia Vondel Amsterdam

I don't know how this hotel aquired their 4 star status. 1) I was traveling with a friend and paid for a double room, but they would not give each of us a room key, only one. 2) the clerk that checked us in, basically just have me a key, and that was it. She didn't address or confirm the breakfasts we had paid for (i.e. where, time or service, etc.), She gave no Wifi instructions, I figured all the info was included in the documents she gave me, but when I got to my room realized there was no info and had to call down and ask for the info. 3) The room they put me in the air conditioning didn't work it was 81° F (27° C), 4) The room they moved me to was a lower grade then I had booked and paid for, and the lamp shade in the room was all ripped apart, the refrigerator didn't work. 5) They advertised in their hotel profile that they had an airport shuttle, but I emailed them ahead of time to confirm it, they said they didn't. When I told this to the clerk when I checked out, he said they did offer it, but of course at that point is was too late to book it. 6) the back elevator (lift) I had to use to get to my room ALWAYS smell just like a sewer. Extremely disappointed and will never stay there agsin

Not only was the room very overpriced - small, chipped paint, tea not replaced on one day - but I had to ask for it to be cleaned half-way through one afternoon. Also, I woke every morning with bites on my neck, arms and legs.

The hotel is very well located especially for access to the major museums, which are in easy walking distance, as well as the public transport system. The hotel gives an impression of poor maintenance and is tired verging on shabby. Dead plants in planters on the street are the first things to be seen. Certainly not worth the money even in an overpriced Amsterdam hotel market.

We stayed at the Vondal (and the Roemer as there was a mix up with the booking.) The hotel is in a great location and the staff at the Roemer were fabulous and really helpful. On reflection we should have stayed there, despite the room being The wrong one and too small. The Vondel not so great. Today they ran out of breakfast items, and we found we had to constantly ask for items, such as tea bags, enough towels for the room, an extra cup etc. There was no information in the room so we had to call down to ask any questions. We were told if, for example we wanted milk for tea, to come and get it!! Very disappointing. The room at the Roemer was not what we ordered and we were compensated with free breakfast, but it was not worth it. The breakfasts cost a lot and weren't that good. The first day we were waiting for over 20 mins for the cooked items, and once they were cooked they didn't even tell us!! In the middle of breakfast today they even pulled a large wheely bin through the reception/restaurant. Overall costly and the staff not that bothered! When we asked how to feedback... They said do it online, so here it is.

The only negative aspect was the noise of comming from the street and other rooms. Everything else was perfect.