Canal House Amsterdam on Brouwersgratt 124,

These comments are not to be confused as being applicable to the similarly named:
Canal House Hotel, Prinsengracht Canal House, nor Amnesia Canal House in Amsterdam.

You don’t always get what you pay for. There are two forms of accommodation at this establishment. This review is of the “studio apartment”.

When you arrive at your hotel in Amsterdam after a long journey you are surprised that you are required to pay in full with cash up front for the full cost of your stay even before they give you the key. Despite what you think of what is offered, you have little choice with your luggage on the sidewalk and you are too tired to find another place.

Contrary to what is implied by the internet image showing the front windows of the building, your windows will not front onto the canal. The accommodation is at the top of the annex in back of building. The only view is the back of houses and a small unkempt garden. Even if you are in good shape, the stairway to this attic garret accommodation is a challenge.

Once there, there are no luggage racks. Although there are attempts at cleanliness, the curtains and carpets are threadbare and stained as are the thin grey towels. The entire musty and moldy “studio apartment” needs painting and repair. There is no escape for fire nor are fire extinguishers available in this old 15th century wooden building. It has exposed wood rafters that could be charming but there is mold and evidence of rot with unjointed and stained plasterboard between the rafters.

Apart from a single bare bulb in the middle of the studio all other lighting is by lamps connected to extension cords. There was however no sign of bed bugs. The furniture is what you would expect from Sally Anne with couches covered with rumpled, limp and stained sheets. Repairs had been made to the lamp, fan etc with packing tape. Many other minor repairs are needed such as loose lock mechanisms, no sink plug in the studio sink, etc .

You would expect in a studio apartment an ability to prepare some simple and rudimentary meals. The inadequate counter space to prepare meals was 22”x22” and half of that is covered by a hot plate and coffee maker. The table to eat a meal is a mere 30” square. There is a coffee table in front of a 12” TV.

This is an old building in a damp city environment but has a leaking roof and much greater dampness than other rooms in this city. 54 Stairs from street level, with the stair to the top floor like a ladder. You need to be in good shape to bring luggage up to the room.

There is a large bright airy bathroom, good shower but awkward availability downstairs by difficult ladder like stairs, particularly at night. Although the bathroom is a private facility, the corridor access is open to other rooms.

The facilities are grossly inadequate.

We loved Amsterdam but our experience was significantly diminished by this accommodation.