The Travel Junkie in Mercure Amsterdam City

Thetraveljunkie.org – I visited Amsterdam recently for a reader gathering and my choice of hotel was the one and only Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City, set in a beautiful location by the river and provides easy access to the ArenA, Ziggo Dome, Zuid-As business district and the center of Amsterdam. The hotel is just 5 minutes away from the RAI Convention Center. Which makes this central hotel ideal not only for business trips but also leisure away! You can also reach the city center by public transport in just 10 minutes – and yes, it is the travel junkie hotel. Here is how our stay went.

Pre-Arrival
Was there any pre-arrival communication by the hotel with myself via email or social media? Yes indeed, and the hotel communicated directly with me, although a third-party organised my stay.

Did I try to engage the hotel via social media? Did the hotel interact with me and made me feel welcome/special? I did and I have to say, they were excellent. I liked the sense of humour and also the genuine feeling of helpfulness.

Has the hotel tried to gather any personal information (e.g. preferences) prior to my stay? Not particularly, but then again I did not have any particular requests.

The wow factor! What was the hotel decor style? I had no trouble finding the hotel and was incredibly impressed. The decor is quite something.

How quick and efficient was the hotel check-in? The lobby and reception area were quite busy when I arrived, but after 5 minutes, I was quickly checked in, signed everything and provided my credit card details.

Was I addressed by name once reservation has been located? (it is all about the small details, some others are outstanding with this, and I love it, like I do when I board an airplane) I was indeed and this went on throughout my stay.

Did I feel genuinely welcomed by the hotel staff? I did. I thought at times service was a little bit stiff, but everyone was quite helpful when I needed any assistance.

Wi-fi – was I told anything about it? Was there a charge? WiFi was complimentary and worked well during my stay.

Room Experience
First impressions – decor, size and wow factor? My room was simply stunning. I loved the decor and comfortable it felt. I loved our room from the moment we walked in.

Welcome amenity? I had a lovely chocolates, AccorHotels Amsterdam guidebook & map and a note from the GM.

The bed? Was excellent and very comfortable. I loved the bed lined and the pillows. Cannot fault it in any way.

Closet/Wardrobe – proper hangers or those annoying ones where you need a PhD to get them out one by one? Not a problem here.

Bathrobes and slippers? Yes, but I did not use.

Coffee and Tea? We had a coffee machine, but I did not use.

Free bottled water? Of course, and changed daily.

Power sockets in useful places – we have more and more devices and we know where we want them! By the bed, by the working area. Yes indeed – by the side of each bed, we had sockets.

Bathroom – decor, size and wow factor? The bathroom was excellent – and I can’t fault it. It was white and had everything we needed.

Bath, shower and taps – I am looking for Duravits and Hansgrohes (or other fab brands) around the world. How fab was the shower? An amazing shower room, which a very good shower head.

Towels – yes, please! How many and how soft and lovely? Many and lovely.

Toiletries – own brand, super brand, baby ones or proper ones? I shall find out! We had Mercure toiletries, which are nice, although I am not keen on the shampoo/conditioner.

Amenity kit? we had everything we needed.

Hairdryer – is it a human one, or just something stuck to a wall that only makes noise? I did not use it, but it seemed proper.