After reading more than a few favorable reviews of BB IJ (including one that mentioned a well-stocked pantry), I sent an email to the owner (Tina) to confirm that there was availability for the Garden Suite from January 1st (New Year's Day) to January 4, 2012. I sent the deposit and our arrival information as requested. BB IJ was to be the last of three bed and breakfasts that I had booked for this trip - the first was in Paris, the second in Brussels - and it was the most expensive of the three.

While we were in Paris I received an email from Tina saying that "we might not be at home at the time of your arrival" and included the name of a friend "who is taking care of the B&B." We arrived in Amsterdam via Thalys on New Year's Day and made our way by bus to the B&B. The friend met us at the door as promised, but the "Garden Suite" was definitely NOT as portrayed. The furniture was incredibly worn and shabby - staples were holding the mismatched fabric on the so-called love-seat/sofa. The bed was not only sagging in the middle, but the sheets were literally covered in lint and hair! (it appeared to be human) There were no pillowcases on the pillows. The radiators were propped up with pieces of wood. The pantry was definitely NOT stocked. Not only was there absolutely no food (just a few tea-bags) but there were no kitchen towels, perhaps 4 paper towels, a quarter-inch of watered-down detergent, and a hodgepodge of cutlery and dishes - some of which did not appear to be clean. The bathroom looked like it had been remodeled at some point, but we struggled to find the light switches. They turned out to be strings that dangled from behind pictures on the wall! Once again we found a hodgepodge - this time it was of empty or mostly empty bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and other personal-type items that looked as if they had been left behind by travelers. Perhaps that sort of thing is unregulated in Amsterdam, but that is actually illegal in many other countries - including the U.S.

To add to this miserable experience, my husband wasn't feeling well and was growing sicker and more feverish by the moment. Virtually everything (restaurants, groceries, etc) was closed because it was New Year's Day. Thankfully, the "friend" who was "taking care of the B&B" turned out to be an absolute angel! She not only offered us a piece of chicken and some fruit that she had prepared for her own dinner, but she also offered to take me in her car to find one of the few markets that was open. We ventured out in the pouring rain to a store where I was able to purchase some ginger-ale, bottled water, and bananas. Thanks to her I was able to keep my husband hydrated and get some ibuprofen into him - otherwise I have no idea how ill he might have become.

The friend/angel also informed us that the owner had actually left the premises because of a water pipe breaking and damaging her apartment - which was just above the Garden Suite. Apparently she was waiting until we checked out on January 4th, then she was going to have her place renovated!

We left on the morning of January 2nd. Thanks to help of the friend/angel, my husband rallied enough to be able to make it to another B&B that I managed to find in the city - one that was absolutely as advertised and positively lovely.

Since we frequently stay in B&B's when we travel, I can say with absolute authority that BB IJ is one of the worst we have ever stayed in. I have no idea if the renovation that Tina is planning extends to the Garden Suite, but I certain hope so.