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Absolutely the best location for 1) strolling over from Centraal station (connects with the airport), 2) not requiring any mode of public transportation for sight seeing, 3) close access to bars and restaurants with no struggle to get back "home". Stayed for 4 days, booked in advance but given the last room (smoking and double rather than the twin and non smoking requested) which was so underlit (one of the original huge beamed rooms) we were happy to be moved the next day to a much smaller room in the front . Had read the reviews of breakfast so shelled out the ¿¿¿19, but wasn't impressed.A very dated interior, but staff courteous and accommodating. Had a good deal so worked out economical, wouldnt be as happy if I had paid the full fare. Location, although not hugely scenic due to construction work opposite, was definitely the main plus. However, Amsterdam being quite compact, I would look at staying in Jordaan area next time to enjoy the canals views while still being relatively close to the station and entertainment areas.

The hotel lobby was really nice and its location to the centre and central station was very close. The rooms felt that they required updating but were clean. I would stay here again and would recommend to others.

We purchased this hotel through Priceline, which rates it as a 5 star. That is a very misleading rating, even though there are certain amenities in the hotel (like a restaurant) that may help it technically qualify for this rating. But the overall "feel," decor, and service are not of this caliber at all.The hotel looks worn as you enter. The lobby is drab. No one offered to bring our bags up, and we did it ourselves. Clean and adequately sized room, nice bathroom, drab and basic decor. Concierge service was extremely basic at best--maps were provided and general directions were given, but there was no real assistance with suggestions, etc. We felt like we were playing a game of 20 questions in order to get the info we needed about guided tours or anything half-way off the beaten path.The coffee in the lobby was available only extremely early in the morning (like from 6 to 6:30 am), and after that you had to go into the breakfast restaurant for it (and breakfast was very expensive). Best to just leave the hotel and eat/have coffee just around the corner at the lovelyPrince Hendrick.It was an OK place to stay, and we got an OK deal, but the 5 star rating is completely off base. There is nothing service-oriented or charming about it. The location is convenient (but not in a charming part of the city) if you are going to be traveling by train from Central Station (which we were--we had an early morning train to Ghent), so that came in handy.It's not to be avoided, but the last time I bid on a 5 star in Amsterdam, i got the Marriott at Leidsplein, so the NH Barbizon was quite a let down. Had I bid on a 3.5, I would be writing a different review.

I have to base this upon my own experience, and although I am sure there are a number of people who do not like the hotel I have to say what we found met my expectations, bearing in mind that we were only using it as a base to lay our heads. Its very central to the canals and the central station and should you be interested the red light district is near enough but far enough not to be obvious. The restaurants nearby are good but if you want breakfast in the hotel its expensive, as hotels tend to be nowadays. There are places just outside for a great breakfast at a much reduced price than the hotelThe room was clean and ours on the first floor overlooked the canal and was good, with a comfortable bed and couple of chairs with a TV that got BBC 1 and 2 and other english channels.WiFi is free and is fast enough but slower in peak times, but again that's only to be expected. Just ask the receptionist for a password and username which lasts 24hrs. They gave me three sheets with three different ones for use when each expired, as we were there for three days.Only real gripe I would have is that the parking, should you have a car, is the same price as the local parking places at Euro 47.50 for 24hrs. It is underground and computerised so you leave the hotel to park it, however I would have thought they would have given it either free or at least at a much reduced price to hotel guests. In regards to the 5 star rating, I am reliably informed by a Dutchman who knows these things that it has nothing to do with the sort of rating you expect in other countries which is based upon service to the client, ambiance or suchlike but is a points based system where the hotel gets points for amenities, car parking, fridge meeting center etc etc as I noted in the reviews there were a few comments on its rating.Anyway its clean, central and not too bad so I think I would recommend it.In closing however if you are going to be arriving on the 30 April of any year its the Queens birthday celebrations and you will have to walk, as the center of the city is locked down and full of partying crowds. I did not know about this and had to park a kilometer away and struggle in to the center. It was ok but if you don't know it can be a shock, especially if you have a car, by train its not a problem.

Stayed here for 3 nights and have to say the hotel was what I expected based on pics and reviews. Check in was smooth and we were able to get to our room easily and early. The wifi worked well, water pressure was great, room supplies were fairly standard, good level of housekeeping, the elevators always available, room was quiet and overall our stay was satisfactory. I say this as at no stage was anything better than expected. I would stay here again as the location is great and there were no surprises, good or bad.