Le Meridien Apollo - Amsterdam

Basement Dungeon to Junior Suite

In August 2003 we stayed at the LeMeridien Apollo in Amsterdam. After a great experience at the LeMeridien Beverly Hills, I booked the Apollo through Expedia as well. What a desaster. We checked in, the front desk staff was bored and arrogant. We carried our luggage through miles of hallways, down multiple stairs to a basement room, that smelled moldy and had no window, only a shaft that let some light in. Completely unacceptable. We complained and were given a suite for 50 Euros extra per day. They claimed that there was no other room available for the same price since they were full. I do not think that was the case because there were few guests visible. The suite was nice, overlooking the canal, but noisy because it was next to the outdoor restaurant. There were many spiders. We killed many and housekeeping left a dead one lying on the floor for two days. The hotel was a ten minute walk from the tram, far away from the city center. The food in the restaurant was mediocre and there were many spiders in the curtains. The building was late 60s architecture in need of renovations such as windows that close. Not a good experience at all.

Good average hotel

We stayed there for 3 nights in August 2004.

The location is not that central, even if you can reach it in 15 minutes walk.

Common areas are nice, reception a concierge were very nice and helpful.

Rooms are below average for a Le Meridien Hotel, even if comfortable and not small.

Private parking (14 euros per day).

Nice room, mediocre restaurant

Decent room, clean, well stocked, great price. Wasn't nuts about the restaurants breakfast. The woman in the gift shop was a thief and charged me for things, didn't ring them up, and I'm sure, pocketed the 20 Euro's. Shame I wont' be there to learn what the manager does wth this information. A good hotel experience all in all. I'd stay there again if I were in that area, but the next time I go I'll choose a different hotel for a different experience!

Terribly average

Stayed at Le Meridien Apollo for 2 nights with my husband and was disappointed to say the least. On a good note the staff were helpful and friendly. However the hotel was no where near the standard expected of a 5 star hotel. The room we were given was a twin when we specifically requested a double. The room was cold and quite shabby. The mattress was too big for the base of the bed and my husband rolled out twice during the night!

Now to the location: miles out from the centre. You will either have to get a taxi (expensive around 20 Euros) or get a tram (much cheaper but inconvenient) NOT within walking distance!

We will not be returning.........disappointed!

A fine place to stay

We stayed here at the start of our most recent trip to Europe and liked it well enough to book it again for the last night of our journey. The rooms were very nice, if a bit dated in decorative style. Service was excellent, and the breakfast (20 euros) very good, in a room overlooking the canal. Especially good is the location: a quiet, prosperous neighborhood; a pleasant two-block walk to a tram stop; and easy walking to both the museums area and the funkier De Pijp district. We'll certainly return!

Quiet location, lovely rooms, efficient and polite staff.

This hotel was very nice, in a quiet area with a bar and deck right on a beautiful canal. The first words I heard from the registration desk were, "We've been expecting you, Mrs. Walsh." How lovely! Although the room was average in size, it was above average in cleanliness, amenities, decor and comfort, especially the beds. We stayed at the Meridien Apollo for three nights in May. We had a very good price via Priceline. It is a two and a half block walk to the tram, but a very pleasant one. The Numbers 5 and 24 trams stop right in front of the train station and take you to the Apollo stop. I would book there again in a minute, but not for the rack rate of 300 euros and up. Lodging in Amsterdam is very high, so our $125. per night rate was good, and a bargain for what we got!

The Apololaan Le Meridien

This hotel was HARD TO FIND! It is far from the city center and about a 2 LONG BLOCK walk to the tram station. Once you get to the tram, you get to the city center within 10-15 minutes. The best way to get to the hotel is from Schipol to Central Station and then get off at Apololaan.

It is in the Zuid District and you walk down Apolaan Street until the numbers become small and then you will find the hotel. Anyway, we got a great rate on Expedia.com. The hotel rooms are EXTREMELY small and I was quite surprised that this hotel was given a five star rating. The closet door broke on us and they did not offer us another room but they fixed it. The room given to us was extremely small but the bathroom (although also small) was updated and pleasant. The room was clean but had a terrible view. The heating/air conditioning system was also pretty bad. Amsterdam is a great city, a lot of fun, great history and did I mention fun? Anyway, I would stay somewhere in a more central location like the Sofitel where I stayed the first time. There are also hotels that are near Central Station and also near Dam Square. Just remember IF you stay here prepare to WALK a lot and be far from everything. It is not the type of hotel that you would like to "stop in and use the bathroom." You will have to use public bathrooms because this place is nowhere near any historic, fun or tourist attraction at all. I would probably elect not to stay here again! Thanks.

Shabby rooms, too far from town

Quite disappointed in the standard of the hotel, not what I would have expected from a five star chain. The room was dated and quite shabby, and worst of all it was very cold. Aside from that, it was too far to walk from the town centre, though within easy walking distance from the pleasant De Pjip district.

Best looking people in Europe!

Just back from a first time visit to Amsterdam, and am fired up with enthusiasm for a return trip. Stayed at Le Meridien Apollo which was very comfortable and friendly, though a bit too far from the centre. However we managed to negotiate the excellent tram services with great ease. Once in the centre of town everything is within walking or tram or canal boat distance, though watch out for bikes!!! The Dutch have to be the most attractive nation in Europe, and very friendly. Did the culture bit, though the queue for Anne Frank`s house was about 3 hours in the blazing sun. Plenty to look at even if you`re just in a cafe watching the world.

Mediocre

If you're expecting the same quality and luxury of a Le Meridien in the US or Canada, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the Amsterdam version.My wife and I stayed 3 nights in April 2003 at Le Meridien Apollo in Amsterdam. When we arrived in our room we had one small double-bed with an old duvet which had been very hastily stitched back together by hand. We asked for another room with 2 single beds and were quickly and professionally accomodated. In this room one of the duvet covers had a hole burned through it from a cigarette apparently. We figured we could stick it out and didn't ask for another room.We got an internet special and paid 140 Euro/night + tax. Never pay anymore than that for this hotel. The room was small, but everything seemed to work. The decorations had an early-80s feel to them. The furniture was old and bore many scratch marks and looked overused. The only positive aspect to the room was the bathroom which looked as if it had been renovated and updated within the past year or two. The shower was top-notch.The location is in the beautiful "Oud Zuid" neighborhhod, so people wanting a very centrally located hotel would be wise to look elsewhere if you don't want to use public transportation. On the other hand, Amsterdam is a very compact city and is easy to walk. The tram system is also very to use. The hotel staff was friendly and efficient, though we did not eat in the restaurants. The bottom line is that unless you are prepared to pay over $400/night, you will need to temper your expectations as to what you are going to get for your money. Le Meridien Apollo follows that model - by US hotel standards, it's a very average hotel experience.