Disappointing hotel - not worth 5 stars

I had high expectations of this hotel but once we arrived there, the hotel was in desperate need of modernisation. The rooms are all decorated in 1970s style and a small bathroom. The lobby could as well do with a revamp.

Basically with so much choice in Amsterdam for fantastic 5* hotels, I would spend my money somewhere else.

A Very Nice Stay

This Hotel was perfect for what we wanted the room was a good size the staff were excelent and gave fantastic advise on a reasturant to eat at. The Price is very steep and it is a bit cheekey charging extra for the swiming Pool but you could really see where your money was spent. I would definatly visit the Hotel Okura again.

Its much better than portrayed

I've just spent a few days in the hotel okura with my family, and having read some of the reviews I was not sure what to expect. Its much better than portrayed. Granted its very expensive, but what do you expect. It was very much a first class hotel in the service and amenities provided. The rooms were very nice. I can't complain.

Overpriced and too male

Unless you are Japanese and male, stay elsewhere. It's not good value. You are paying for very efficient staff who check the room twice a day specifically to see if you have used the mini bar so they can charge you. Unfortunately, they enter as soon as they knock, and caught me naked one day, my friend the next day (not naked together).

The rooms are nice enough, but nothing special. The bathrooms do not have good lighting and you can't plug in a normal hair dryer (I guess it's for shaving only) and the plug in the room is too far from the mirror. So, those are the reasons it's not for women! That and the free porn.

Never a 5 star hotel

We stayed at the Okura in February 2004. My overall impression is simply amazement of how this hotel can be rated a 5 stars. It is shabby, in need of decoration and ugly to look at. Also, it is very far from the centre of Amsterdam. Apparently the restaurant is very good, but I would hope so with its exorbitant prices. I wouldn't recommend this hotel.

Very pleasant sta

very polite staff,very clean rooms and reasonable price what else one would need

Why the five stars?

Just back from a long weekend in the Okura. Was hoping for a little luxury and pampering, given the price tag for the two nights, but was totally disappointed. The hotel is long overdue for renovation (some times the lift worked, some times it didn't, upholstery faded and stained and the sides of the swimming pool needed cleaning and maintenance). Food (if pricey) did merit the five stars and staff were very helpful and friendly. Chose the hotel particularly because of the pool and sports facilities but the 'one towel per person' ration and blocked showers left me cold.

Deserves only 2 or 3 stars

Okura deserves a 3 star rating, rather than 5. Rooms, and the whole hotel is outdated, and very lifeless. It seems there hasn't been any renovations there for the last 10 years or so. Also, it is way off city center. You need to take the Metro, or a Taxi. Service is so so, but not outstanding. Also, the very last day I was there, my internet connection, the main reason I stayed there, was not working, and they did not give me any refund. Basically I was paying 240 Euros for a hotel worth 80 to 100, at the max.

Great Food- but go on a package!

My fiance and I stayed at the Hotel Okura for one night on one of their Health Package Breaks. It was pretty pricey, 140E per person, but this included dinner in the Ciel Bleu resturant (which was amazing, great food service and views) and a gorgeous breakfast the next day which had everything from fresh fruit, smoked slamon and Champagne!It also included entry to the leisure facilities. The pool was OK with jacuzzi and sunbeds etc. I was slighty put off the mixed sauna at the sight of a naked Japanese guy though!We also had lunch in the Japanese sushi restaurant. Again pricey but excellent quality. The room was good but perhaps in need of a little refurbishment. Nice little Japanese touches such as slippers and bath robes. We paid extra for a corner room on the 18th floor and it was worth it. We were celebrating our 5th anniversary (we had met in Japan) so it was a very special and relaxing time... even after checking out with a 400E bill!I would highly recommend this to Japanophiles in need of a Japan fix. If you like

Good if you are on business

I decided to treat my boyfriend and I to a luxurious trip in this 5 star hotel which was a 20 minute tram ride away from Central Amsterdam. I was intrigued by a Japanese hotel in Amsterdam and was looking forward to eating in one of the numerous hotel restaurants. If I was on business and my company was paying, this place would have received a better rating than I have given here. For a tourist or weekend breaker, this place is what I can only describe as a cheeky "rip off". The hotel seems to want to make money out of EVERYTHING!! Breakfast was not included in our package which meant that we didn't bother paying at 24 euros each, until the last morning we were there. I have stayed in many hotels over the years, of all star ratings and most recently the Marriott in London (5 stars). The breakfast at the Okura was not a patch on any other 4 or 5 star hotel - very poor value for 24 euros. As we had forgotten ours, we wanted to borrow a plug adaptor and were told that they did not lend them out and that we had to pay 8 euros to buy one! Neither of us could afford to charge up our mobile phones! The real sting came when we found out that to use the hotel swimming pool and sauna (not that spectacular), we had to pay 11 euros each. Overall, very poor value for money if you are not spending someone else's money. The Ciel Bleu restaurant and bar at the top of the tower offers magnificent views but the stuffiness and expense of the restaurant dampens your spirits somewhat. Last time we were in Amsterdam, we stayed in the centre at the Crowne Plaza and loved it. In fact we found ourselves back at the hotel having a reasonably priced meal! My boyfriend and I like to have some luxury when we are on holiday and we can only just afford it - I think we were born to be a lot better off! Hotel Okura was filled with luxury but too business like and not very friendly. We had a great time none-the-less, but that is attributed to Amsterdam the city and not the hotel.