Urban Lodge Hotel

From the outside, the hotel could be any one of the office buildings filling Sloterdijk's solidly commercial business district. Step inside though and you'll quickly see this really is an Urban Lodge. Angled for a rustic cabin feel, brushed wood beams on the lobby's walls and ceilings feel authentic near wire-framed lamps with gas lantern effects. The room is filled with natural daylight and pillars dividing wide spaces accentuate the hotel's Dutch design. While airy, the space is far from bare. Tree-slab tables are complemented by white, beige, and gray accents in patchwork fabrics and furs on comfortable seating areas. Cow-print rugs and wood curios-filled shelves feel traditional, but the central fireplace's conical structure couldn't be more contemporary. The cobalt blue design in the bar is attractive, and the restaurant's small mounted animal skulls are the most lodge-like decoration found here. Overall, the vibe is trendy and laid-back, appealing mostly to couples and groups of friends. 

The hotel's out-of-town location isn't for everyone, although corporate travelers will find its proximity to nearby businesses convenient. RAI convention center is a 15-minute drive, or 30 minutes by public transport. It's an eight-minute walk to Sloterdijk station, where metro, tram, and bus links make for quick access downtown. Amsterdam Centraal's main station is a 15-minute train ride. Journeys from Sloterdijk station take no longer than 30 minutes for the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh, and Rijksmuseum. Expect similar times for Vondelpark's beautiful green spaces, although the hotel is also a five-minute walk from a nice park. The Heineken Experience is a 20-minute drive (or twice that by public transport) and Leidseplein's famous square is a half-hour tram ride. There aren't many restaurants or bars nearby, but a late-night supermarket is by Sloterdijk station. Schiphol Airport is a 16-minute drive or 20-minute walk/train ride.

Air-conditioned rooms have a minimalist, fresh design with lodge-like touches. They're outfitted with light-wood furniture, wood floors, and neutral-tone walls, with accents from brown plaid curtains, blu-and-white throw pillows, and artwork of blue-and-white ceramic plates over the beds. Headboards have built-in USB ports, and desks have chairs with light-brown leather. Rooms come in eight categories, ranging in size from 183-square-foot (17-square-meter) Basics to 258-square-foot (24-square-meter) Extras. Amenities include phones, flat-screen smart TVs with BBC, mini-fridges, and electronic safes, plus kettles alongside tea and coffee. Bathrooms have white tiling with a few funky decorative blue tiles, as well as rainfall showers and toiletries. Family Rooms have bunk beds, while Triples are well-suited to groups. Drab views of offices and parking lots are less inspiring, but the area is newly built and clean. There have been complaints of irregular housekeeping, such as sheets not being changed, but rooms are generally spotless. Note that beds are two twins pushed together, which is common throughout Amsterdam and Europe.

Given most guests spend their time outside the property, on-site amenities are limited. Breakfast is at a fee and offers bacon, scrambled eggs, and baked beans, alongside continental options, plus tea and coffee (which is free 24/7 in the lobby). The restaurant's menu is as cheerful as its blue-themed layout, where patchwork fabrics contrast fun shelved bottles. It offers salads, sandwiches, and Dutch specialities, but note it only serves breakfast and dinner. The bar's decorative blue-and-white floors and hanging lamps have a homey, Mediterranean feel. A small basement gym has a few machines and weights, although bike rentals offer a more traditional workout (this is Amsterdam after all). On-site parking is at a fee, while Wi-Fi is free throughout.