I recently stayed at Swissôtel Amsterdam and, unfortunately, the room was a major disappointment, especially considering the price.
The room itself felt very dated and gave off more of a youth hostel vibe than a four-star hotel. It lacked the modern, comfortable feel I expected and was very underwhelming for what is marketed as a premium stay.
I booked a courtyard-facing room, but there was virtually no view at all. The surrounding walls blocked almost all natural light, making the room feel dark and gloomy throughout the day. It wasn’t a pleasant space to spend any time in.
The bed was also one of the most uncomfortable I’ve slept in. It consisted of two mattresses pushed together, but because of the way the bed was made, you naturally sleep in the middle. During the night, the mattresses gradually separated, leaving a gap that caused you to sink into the middle, making it difficult to get a comfortable night’s sleep.
Housekeeping was another disappointment. I left my room at around 9:00 AM with the “Please Clean My Room” sign hanging outside the door, but when I returned at approximately 3:00 PM, it still hadn’t been serviced. I appreciate that housekeeping staff have a demanding job, so this isn’t directed at them personally, but the hotel clearly needs to ensure there are enough staff to meet guest expectations.
I also found the front desk service frustrating. I wasn’t informed of the checkout time when I checked in, so I tried to ask at reception. On four separate occasions the front desk was unattended, and despite calling the reception number multiple times, nobody answered. It wasn’t until my final day that someone eventually picked up the phone. A hotel at this price point should have reception readily available to assist guests.
The location is undoubtedly the hotel’s strongest feature and is perfect for exploring Amsterdam. However, the room quality, comfort, and overall service simply did not justify the high room rate. I left feeling that I had paid premium prices for accommodation that was well below expectations, and I wouldn’t choose to stay here again.
