We stayed here for a week and it wasn’t so bad that we left though it was short of a fancy stay in Amsterdam by a wide margin. I changed my review from a 3 to 2 to 1 as my wife and I kept remembering bad thing after bad thing. How this has a 4.5 is beyond my comprehension.
My basis for comparison is US hotels at the same price point in similarly sized cities and a hotel (Pillow) in Ghent, Belgium for $160 that was far and away the best hotel I’ve ever been. This MotelOne was at least $200/night for reference.
Pros
-Good location, walkable to everywhere of interest in 30mins and drivable without being too into the city.
-Early check in was no problem and the front desk staff was generally friendly.
-The common area was a fun design and had access to power and study tables.
Cons
-The rooms are appallingly bad which hold significant weight in a hotel review. We had multiple different rooms and in both, it was too hot regardless of AC setting leading to waking up sweating. No lounging or study area. No fridge or microwave (which is typical?). When I say the rooms are small, I mean smaller than a cruise ship room. The showers are designed in a way that they will leak out of the shower. No coffeemaker. Hairdryers don’t work or don’t heat properly. They have a 2 in 1 hair and body wash with no conditioner.
-No snacks at front desk. Made for a sucky couple hunger strikes late into the evening w the pregnant wife.
-We extended our stay and the cleaning lady no knock opened our door twice. With a tiny room, you can see everything going on.
-We checked out and back in to go to Belgium and in neither case were we offered a welcome pack which I saw other folks later get offered.
-The breakfast is separate and expensive and while it has an air of fanciness doesn’t have simple hot food.
-No free coffee.
-No room service.
Maybe this is the Amsterdam city experience though even compared to cheaper other options in Europe it was deeply lacking.
I stayed at Motel One Amsterdam Waterlooplein during a business trip and had a very positive experience overall.
The room was clean and, considering the very central location in Amsterdam, surprisingly quiet, which I really appreciated. The breakfast was absolutely fine and had everything I needed to start the day.
What truly stood out, however, was the exceptional service of the staff. After I accidentally left my suitcase at the hotel, the team was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the entire process. I always felt that my situation was taken seriously and handled with great care.
A special thanks also to Ms. Santinato for the professional communication via email. Everything was handled smoothly and reliably. At the same time, I want to emphasize that the entire reception team contributed to making this a stress-free experience.
All in all, I can definitely recommend this hotel, especially because of the outstanding service and very friendly staff.
Being from the US, we weren't as familiar with the Motel One chain of hotels. My wife found this hotel online and we decided to try it. Overall, I feel like it was a good choice for us. The location is in east Amsterdam, not far from the core Central Station (25 min. pleasant walk) and core business areas. TIP: If you have a lot of luggage and don't want to walk that, take the #14 tram to the Mr. Visserplein stop and then it is a very short walk. You can now use your credit card to tap in and out on the tram, and it's only about $2. The area around the hotel is pleasant and safe, and with just a short walk you are amidst many restaurants and stores.
The hotel rooms are very clean and pleasant. The bed was firm, TV was large, and bathroom nice and functional. The lobby area shown in many of the pictures is very appealing and beautifully decorated. The breakfast buffet is served there and it was terrific. We ate a lot and got a good start to the morning every day. The staff at the registration desk and in the breakfast area were friendly and helpful. They made us feel welcome.
Our room was on the 4th floor and faced the street. The windows must be very good because it was quiet with almost no street noise. I think the rooms on the other side, overlooking the courtyard, are a little more appealing. Also, we had to keep the curtains closed because the sun poured into the room and warmed it up. The room temperature is controlled centrally and on the warm days we had in early May, the room felt a little hot, especially in the evening. Having a safe in the room was nice, and the only thing that would have been a nice addition would be a small refrigerator.
During our week stay, the room cost varied widely. The cheapest was about $250 (including tax) per night but the most was approaching $500. That seemed like a bit much. I would have probably given 5 stars if some nights it wasn't quite so expensive.
Very much enjoyed our stay. The staff were very nice and always helpful. The hotel is convenient to the metro and trams and walking distance to a variety of fun museums. They have an extensive collection of gins, many local to the Netherlands. I had a great time trying different ones each evening. The local cat Tommy acts like he owns the place and for all I know he does
Motel One Amsterdam – You get exactly what you expect. And that’s a good thing.
When you stay at Motel One, you know what you’re in for — reliable, stylish, and wonderfully uncomplicated. And once again, Motel One Amsterdam delivers flawlessly.
The room? Quiet as a library after closing time — perfect after a day spent navigating canals, bicycles, and tourist crowds.
Breakfast is classic Motel One: everything you need, nothing you don’t, fresh, simple, and pleasantly straightforward. And whether it’s housekeeping, check-in, the bar staff, or the breakfast team — everyone is genuinely friendly, not the “we’re forced to smile” kind, but the real deal.
The interior? Modern, clean, and comfortably familiar, so you feel oriented even before your morning coffee kicks in.
The location is excellent: many places are within walking distance, and everything else is easily reached by metro — the perfect base for exploring Amsterdam, whether you’re into culture, shopping, or simply drifting through the city.
Bottom line: Another Motel One that proves why the brand is so popular: reliable, comfortable, friendly — in short: top. ✔️
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