This is essentially a good hotel and should really get four stars, but it has a few problems that drag it down a bit. That said, I would happily stay there again.

GOOD POINTS
- Good location in central Amsterdam: 5min walk from Centraal station, 10min walk to Dam Square, 15mins on tram to Rijksmuseum
- Lots of restaurants and cafes nearby, good supermarket short walk away (Albert Heijn in Nieuwendijk, first left after leaving hotel)
- Clean, fair-sized room with good quality furnishings
- Free wi-fi or use of internet terminal (within certain limits)
- Helpful, laid-back staff

DRAWBACKS
- A slight lack of maintenance in room: unreliable safe, shower not working properly, sink slow to drain
- Daft colour scheme - black furniture, black wooden floors, black/gold curtains, dark walls - gives the hotel a sombre air
- Bed mattress very very soft with no support for back
- So-so breakfast served in cramped area next to reception
- Seedy area after dark in Spuistraat and surrounding streets - although you can avoid this by walking along the parallel Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal

Having been to Amsterdam almost 10 years ago i decided to book a surprise trip for 3 nights in Jan as a Xmas pressie fr my other half and to have two friends accompany us. I had been warned that drink prices had gone up to about £7 a pint but was pleasently surprised that on entering the hotel they did cans of 330ml for 2 euro!! there was no reception at this hotel you just go to the bar and unfortunately the hotel doesnt do any food (apart from the inclusive brekfast) but it was a lovely hotel. we booked via alpharooms and we had room 44 and our friends had room 23 0 we paid the same for the stay (£200 a couple) and comparitively our room wasnt as good value for money as they had more frills and a much larger bathroom. but our room was adequate and warm being on the top floor - also the lift was a great help!! i would definately recommend this hotel. the staff were helpful, breakkie was better than expected and it was in a great location. we had some lovely food at the two italians (with your back to hotel, walk upwards and take your first left - they were both on your right, and at a restaurant called something like 1854 - turn left our of main door and walk back down on yourself and it was on the right hand side) so it was only a short walk back to the hotel. we also liked the irish pub (in between the two italians) and there was a genuine irish barmaid! the hotel was quiet at night - you can hear the tram slightly but didnt really bother us. if you are looking for a clean, budget hotel in a central location this is it!!

Having walked out of our originally booked hotel - which was awful, we found the Sint Nicolaas, we were given a lovely room looking out to the town, the room was spotless, bathroom large with plenty of boiling hot water and again very clean, the staff could not have been anymore helpful from the gentleman who showed us our room down to the night security guard. The breakfast was also very good you could eat as much as you wanted. The reception/bar area had a great roaring fire which made the whole atmosphere so friendly. Every room was given a bottle of champagne to celebrate New Year - nice touch. The rate was good, it included breakfast and tax and was less money than the 'awful' hotel which did not include either of these items, it was only a few minutes walk from all the celebrations of New Year, we would 100% recommend this hotel.

We had no problems with anything during our stay here. The rooms were big enough, the breakfast was good, the location excellent and the service brilliant. The beds were amongst the best hotel rooms we have stayed in. What more can I say?