Hotel Cornelisz

While its offerings are basic, the mid-range Hotel Cornelisz aims to deliver on style. The entry is small but feels larger thanks to the double-height ceiling with a massive white retro pendant chandelier. This bauble also dominates the lobby on the second floor. Funky '70s- and '80s-era lights and carpeting, armless modular chairs, and lack of a cohesive color scheme in the common areas miss the mark when it comes to chic, but it's not unpleasant. Running the length of the hallway between the elevator and lobby is a line drawing mural, interpreting Amsterdam's famous architecture. A similar illustration lends an artsy vibe to the breakfast room. There is a small elevator, which comes in handy since the stairs are steep and sloped. Between the amazing location and small rooms, this hotel isn't a place where guests tend to linger. Overall, it's ideal for a short stay tourist who plans to spend most of their time exploring the city.

Hotel Cornelisz sits on the most exclusive shopping street in Amsterdam, P.C. Hooftstraat. The streets are covered with shops at ground level, including designer boutiques from Jimmy Choo, Gucci, and Prada, while the upper floors are posh residences. The surrounding area is also referred to as the Museum District, and the Rijksmuseum is only a two-minute walk from the hotel, while the Van Gogh Museum is just five minutes away on foot. There are also many souvenir shops, cafes, and theaters nearby. The hotel is a 13-minute walk from the center of Vondelpark, an enormous outdoor space with cafes, ponds, an open-air theater, and a skate park. It's possible to get to the Anne Frank House in 10 minutes from the nearby tram. The hotel is just a 16-minute drive from Schipohl airport.

Guest rooms are on the small side, but very stylish in mint and black colors, with diamond-patterned wallpaper in the entry-level rooms. Drum lights grace the ceilings, adding some fashionable flair. The biggest drawback for some will be the single beds, which some guests report have wear and tear. Even the so-called double rooms are made up of two single beds pushed together, but the furniture, fittings, and decor also get an upgrade along with the additional square footage. Accent walls with photographic murals elevate their style factor. Still, space is tight throughout room categories, and some have sloped ceilings that put a cap on vertical space as well. The hotel has no air-conditioning, but the fans they provide generally suffices in Amsterdam's weather. All the rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, kettles, irons and ironing boards, as well as work desks. The basic private bathrooms are outfitted with showers (some wet-room style) with handheld shower wands. A few rooms on the upper floors have views of the Rijksmuseum. 

Overall, the Hotel Cornelisz is perfect for coming or going, but not spending heaps of time. The roof terrace offers a chic spot for fresh air, but it's unpadded bench seating isn't exactly cozy. This terrace is also the hotel's smoking area. The restaurant serves only breakfast and there's no bar, but the lobby has a vending machine that serves with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There are no fitness or business facilities, but there is a public computer in the lobby, as well as fax and photocopying services. The hotel also rents out bikes, the usual mode of transportation in Amsterdam. In addition to free Wi-Fi, the hotel offers laundry and dry cleaning services.