Radisson Blu Amsterdam Hotel Review

Book the Radisson Blu Amsterdam Hotel here.





Introduction (Rate, Brand)

I stayed at the Radisson Blu Amsterdam Hotel for 4 nights. For the busy weekend nights I stayed, I used 2x 50,000 Club Carlson points. For the other two nights, I found a deal for EUR 99 on OTA websites.

Regular rates on clubcarlson.com and other websites are around EUR 230 for summer dates.

Note that the Club Carlson BRG is very restrictive and known for not approving valid claims, so I did not venture to book a (prepaid) rate on clubcarlson.com only to see that claim refused afterwards.

Location (Sightseeing, Airport, Business)

The hotel is located just steps away from the 'classic' city center. It's less than 5 minutes walk to Dam Square and the Red Light District and is really close to Centraal Station.

Since Amsterdam in its heart is a full-blown tourist attraction, it's not a great idea to stay here on a business trip.

To get to the hotel, simply take a fast train from the airport for less than $5 and then walk from Centraal Station.

Check-In (Friendliness, Efficiency)

Check-in was quick and friendly. I was positively surprised that the agent acknowledged my four separate reservations (one for each night). I was offered an upgrade to a Business Class room for EUR 35 (incl. breakfast) which I declined.

Because I had four bookings, my key stopped working every day at noon. Although the agents could see the consecutive reservations, they were unable to program the key accordingly. With the long lines of tourists checking in and out daily, this was pretty annoying, but I was given a complimentary upgrade to a Superior room (from a Standard room).

Common Areas (Lobby, Restaurants, Pool, Gym)





























Once you enter this hotel, you immediately notice the unique Amsterdam way to deal with larger buildings - they are constructed from smaller buildings that are meshed together. The Radisson is home to at least 3 or 4 separate buildings, all interconnected in different ways.

The hotel features no pool.

The gym is just about OK. It's small, in the basement and just features the bare essentials.

Most of the common areas look rather old and tired.

Rooms (Cleanliness, Space provided)

I was pleasantly surprised by the room. While not very big, it had been recently renovated. It featured a work desk and a rather newish-looking bathroom.

The AC was strong and welcome, given the unusually warm weather in Amsterdam at the time.

I also appreciated that the internet was free and really fast.

























Sleeping (Mattress, Comfort level, Noise)

The mattress and bedding were of high quality and made it easy to find sleep. The mattress was soft enough, but not too soft. Noise pollution is not a big issue in Amsterdam since most traffic is by bike anyway.

Food (Breakfast, Executive Lounge, Other food & drinks)

I did not try the food at the hotel. There are simply too many fantastic options within a 5-minute walking distance of the hotel.

Overall

Hotel rooms in Amsterdam are usually tiny and often smelly. The Radisson Blu features great rooms in a super location. While the common areas of the hotel are nothing to write home about, the renovated rooms are excellent.

I think it's a good way to burn Club Carlson points for a city that is just as beautiful in reality as it is in pictures.

The 99 EUR cash deal was a great offer for Amsterdam.

Book the Radisson Blu Amsterdam Hotel here.