Hotel De Kerstekorrel is our favourite place to stay whenever we go to Dam - since discovering 'Amsterdam's Best Kept Secret' in 2007, we have stayed there 15 times.
It's about time we spread the love and write a review.
We were first attracted to the Gerstekorrel because of its convenient location :
After a 40 minute flight from Luton to Schipol Airport , a 15 minute train ride to Centraal Station a short walk straight down Damrak you have arrived at the Gerstekorrel. Just turn left at Madame Tussauds ,walk across Dam square and you will see the tiny 5EURO Gift shop.
That's Damstraat - a short commercial street crammed with various eateries, a tobacconist , perfumery,Bureau de Change,trendy trainer vendor,extreme sports accessory supplier and more.
Even the mighty Albert Hein supermarket (just like Tesco) is nearby as is Kalverstraat ( a busy shopping precinct that hosts most types of shop ( everything from music,mobile phones and more munchies!)
Sandwiched between the "Wok to Go" and Pizza parlour is the Gerstekorrel - quiety understated amongst the hustle and bustle of the area.
The notorious Red Light District is a stone's throw away as are many cultural,historic and architectural tourist attractions.Waterlooplein market is a short walk away and you can catch a tram nearby to the Albert Cyup market.
Upon entering the hotel reception you will be greeted by a smart,friendly member of staff.Of all the assets of the Gerstekorrel, the staff are the jewel in the crown - nothing is too much trouble, for them - their excellent local knowledge and helpful advice is worth its weight in gold.Our group of friends are of a wide age range (18 to 40+) and the staff always made us feel welcome.
If you arrive before check- in, or your flight is after check-out , there is a lugguage store and toilet on the landing available free of charge - facilities that are most appreciated by us.
The option of a safety deposit box,Wi-Fi,hot & cold drinks,confectionery & various other tourist essentails, 2 choices of breakfast and so much more are all available from reception.
The Gerstekorrel offers a wide range of rooms from single,twin,double,triple and quad all with en-suite toilet & shower at value for money room rates.During our many stays we have been in all the types of rooms which have always been of a high standard.
The rooms are clean,comfortable and serviced daily.
Each one has TV,telephone,wardrobe,bedside cabinet,dressing table,extra bedding,chair etc.
Now the beds....comfortable is putting it too mildly! I have always enjoyed a superb night's
sleep at the hotel- the rooms are a tranquil,quiet sanctuary from the busy city centre outside.
A friend of mine stayed in bed from 4:40 am until 8pm while we were at the Gerstekorrel as the beds are superb (and he had not indulged in alcohol,drugs or anything else that tires you out so much) Purely and simply the beds are that great you could just foresake the delights of Amsterdam for such blissful rest.We even joked that my mate might even try to steal the
mattress!
Well what more can I say? We are full of praise for the Hotel De Gerstekorrel and its staff whom we regard as friends after all these years.
The proof is in the pudding as we are going to Dam at the end of the month (again) and we don't even have to state where we will be having another enjoyable stay.
- De Gerstekorrel Hotel
- De Gerstekorrel Amsterdam
