Good comfort but boring

Not a bad place, but this hotel could be at any city, in any country in the world. Typical American hotel chain, down to the accents of the staff, and all the amenities you can expect for a five star hotel.

However, the place is totally lacking in charm. If you're looking to visit Amsterdam to get to know the city, this is the last place you should start. It has the distinction of being the only place I've ever stayed in with no distinguishing features whatsoever! I'd advise anyone looking to experience some of the local culture and hospitality to look elsewhere. I've stayed at other hotels in Amsterdam with the same level of comfort so there's nothing unique about the Renaissance except its blandness.

Chain Charming

The Renaissance is more than comfortable (without being spectacular), inviting and hospitable but what makes it stand out, in its class (and it should be a 4 star not 5), is its prices. For a chain hotel in a big city it is really good value for money. And the Concierge I spoke to was more than helpful.

Request an Apartment Unit

I advise for fans of the Renaissance, to request an apartment unit, this is a well kept secret. These are not the lush hotels rooms you typically receive, although they give visitors a more real life appreciation as to life in Amsterdam. From the narrow, spiraling stairways to the efficient bathrooms. These units are also more accommodating for groups as the top level apartments have extra beds in the loft area.

-Peyton Trent

Nice hotel not nice service

The hotel was nice as per other reviews and you can get good rate if stay during the weekend in Jun(EUR100). However, we had a bad experience. The conceirge did not warn us about conman-taxi driver! He called a taxi for us to go to Van Gogh musuem (1km away). The taxi driver took us for a ride and the fare came up to EUR25!(should be around EUR10). I copied the taxi license plate and complained to the hotel. The concierge was nonchalant and told us such thing happens.

Told us they can't do anything with the license plate number. Bad service and non sympathetic considering this is a 5 star hotel.

If you're looking for chain "charm" in Amsterdam

If you are looking for a hotel that could be anywhere, then go to the Renaissance; really nothing to write home about

Wonderful weekend!

A great hotel! First, the pros : Good location, near Central Station (6-8 minutes walk) and with a lot of trams to get you anywhere. Big bedrooms for Europe standard and a really huge double-bed. Bathroom fully equiped and service very warm and helpful. Quiet street but within a vibrant neighborhood,you've got even a little 'red light street' nearby. Really, a very good option and fares are great for the service you get. I booked a double room for 135 without breakfast.The only black spot : Hotel is so big that we had to walk three minutes to get our room from lobby.

Great bargain for a 5-star

This place is such a great deal I'm amazed it doesn't sell out every night. While nearby 3 star hotels charge $150 and up a night, we got a double at this 5-star for $120 in the middle of summer. It's very elegant, has a very helpful concierge and atttentive staff who all speak perfect english, and has all the modern conveniences of an American-style hotel (a rarity in Europe). I've been there twice and the only time we had any kind of problem was when we were unable to order an inroom movie because the billing system for our room wasn't working right. However, a maintence man came up five minutes after we called and, unable to correct the billing probelm, fixed it so all of our in-room movies for the rest of the stay were free. Very classy touch.

I seriously heart this place

What can I say about this place that would do it justice?This is without any doubt my very favourite hotel in Amsterdam. The reception hall is stunning, the rooms warm, clean and comfortable. The baths are big, the showers powerful and the towels thick, warm and fluffy. Cafe Koepel, attached to the hotel, provides the sublime pleasure of sitting with a bowl of mussels watching the world go by, enhanced by the canalside location. I took my girlfriend there for her birthday and she gasped when she saw it.Reception staff provide just the right amount of service, speak immaculate English, German and French and some speak Spanish and Scandinavian languages.I would stay here again. I'm not sure whether I would stay anywhere else in Amsterdam.

Great hotel, great location

The Renaissance has nice rooms. It is conveniently located to Centraal Station (approximately a 5-10 minute walk depending on the amount of luggage dragged). This is a big plus for purposes of connecting elsewhere in Amsterdam via the trams and the Netherlands and beyond via the trains, not to mention to Schipol Airport also via the trains. For the first time visitor to Amsterdam, an additional benefit is that it is relatively easy to find the Renaissance on foot (and there are numerous signs to point you in the right direction). You also are much closer to Dam Square, the point of origin for many canal tours, and the Red Light District, for better or worse. The Renaissance is in a quiet and friendly neighborhood despite its location close to much of the action. The hotel is very secure, particularly because guests must use their room cards to activate the elevator. I'd stay here again for sure.

8 nights of bliss!!

We stayed for 8 nights at the Renaissance so we got a pretty good diea of the hotel. There was no lack of hot water, fresh towels or quality room service at this hotel. Very modern and full of all the conveniences you would expect from a Renaissance hotel. Tucked away on a quiet street we enjoyed sleeping in every morning. The hotel was close to everything and the concierge got us tables at all the restaurants we wanted. A walk away from a great/hip neighborhood, I would definitely stay at this hotel again!!