Royal Amsterdam Hotel - Restaurant

Tucked away between bars and other hotels on busy Rembrandt Square, the Royal Amsterdam’s entrance is easy to miss. In fact, from the outside, all that can be seen at a quick glance are the large umbrellas and many tables belonging to the hotel restaurant. A narrow hallway with a tiny front desk and a small bench leads to a pair of glass doors that open directly onto the restaurant and elevator landing. The miniature reception area -- with its dark, backlit front desk, ceiling lamps with metallic finishes, and fresh flowers -- offers a taste of what guests should expect to find in the rest of the property: compact, simple spaces with a dash of style. The restaurant is a popular spot for lunch, dinner, and afternoon drinks, not only among tourists and guests, but also among locals. Big windows offering views of the square, padded benches and chairs in silver hues, and soft jazz music make the space inviting, while a large sepia photo of Amsterdam adds some local charm. Due to the compact size of the rooms, most guests at the Royal Amsterdam are couples and solo travelers, but Superior Suites can sleep up to four guests, making it a suitable option for families on a budget. Travelers wanting a bit more space should consider the NH Amsterdam Schiller, located a few doors down. Hotel Cornelisz is a good alternative for those seeking something in this price range but in a quieter area. Mercure Hotel Amsterdam Centre Canal District has slightly lower rates and parking for a fee. 

The hotel is located directly on Rembrandtplein, a busy square in the city center lined with restaurants, cafes, and bars. Though technically part of the Canal Ring, this part of the neighborhood feels more like the Old Center -- which is right across the bridge -- due to its small streets full of tourists and bustling nightlife scene. There are several tram stops within a block of the hotel, but most major attractions can be reached on foot, including Dam Square, the Rijksmuseum, the Heineken Experience, and the Nine Streets shopping area. The hotel is a 20-minute walk (or 15-minute tram ride) from Centraal Station, and about a 25-minute drive from Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport. There is no parking on-site.

The hotel has 23 rooms, all decorated in a contemporary style that combines laminate floors, generic dark-wood furniture, and green accents in curtains, throw pillows, and armless chairs. Black-and-white mural photos of Amsterdam landmarks add character, and big windows offer pleasant views of either Rembrandt Square or the back of the building -- note that front-facing rooms may suffer from street noise. Also on the downside, rooms at the Royal Amsterdam are not for claustrophobic guests or those traveling with big suitcases. Ranging in size between a tiny 96 square feet (nine square meters) and 323 square feet (30 square meters), rooms here are some of the smallest we’ve seen in town. Sliding bathroom doors and clean lines add visual space, but even the largest room is tight, with just about enough space for a double bed (which in some cases touches one or two walls), a chair, a nightstand, and a tiny closet. Only a handful have a work desk.Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, smart TVs with international channels, air-conditioning, and safes, but rooms lack mini-fridges. Electric kettles are generally provided, but they’re only available on request in the smallest rooms. Five of the 23 rooms have a small, unfurnished balcony overlooking the square, including a Superior Suite, two Superior Rooms, and two Deluxe units. Bathrooms are small but spotless, with walk-in showers (one of the Superior Suites has a separate tub), hairdryers, and toiletries. 

The Royal Amsterdam is overall light on amenities, but that's common in small hotels in central Amsterdam. The on-site restaurant is a popular hangout spot for both tourists and locals alike, especially on weekends. The menu offers a wide array of international dishes, including buffalo wings, carpaccio, nachos, salads, soups, seafood, schnitzel, and vegetarian options, and the bar has a good selection of drinks, from beers to cocktails to Champagne. English breakfast is served here daily, but it is not always included in the room rate. The restaurant provides room service during opening hours. The hotel offers bike rentals through a third party for a fee. A refundable security deposit (per person, per stay) is required on check-in. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Unfortunately, no wellness facilities are available here.