Amsterdam, The Amsterdam American Hotel

We stayed at the American over a weekend, and found it easily, due to the fact that the 370 Airport bus goes almost directly to 'Leidesplein' where the Hotel overlooks, and all for £3 a head!

Welcoming time at the minimalist check-in was supreme, and the immmaculate room was a pleasure on the eye.

The Hotel room itself was on the 2nd floor, with a lift service or stairs and overlooked the Canal. It was very quiet, and followed the time honoured 'Holiday Inn Standard' design, apart from the slightly more Dutch decor, and the huge sumptous bed. Other notable features include the 24" LCD TV, Coffee making facilities, welcome pack including Still and Sparkling Spa water and strangely, a glass jar of Pickled Onions which are now at home awaiting the official verdict.

So far, so good. Great reception, Gorgeous room, and all the rest of the Hotel infrastructure seemed as good as new, despite being built around a Century ago.

Evening saw us heading for the American Bar with our 'Free drink' vouchers (Yep, another nice touch) which was decorated in Austin Powers design, complete with Red shell-shaped seating and some gentle vibes from the subtle sound system. All in all, a nice place to be, and no more expensive than the other bars in the locale, which isn't entirely a compliment!

Sunday lunch was a must, with the well publicised four-course Buffet-and-Jazz meeting our reasonable expectation, with a good selection of most acceptable food, glass of bubbly and great musicians performing all the time, in the impressive Dining room which boasts an unusual mix of Egyptian architecture and real Tiffany lamps!

Checkout was similarly efficient, and the doorman pointed us to the exact bus-stop back to Schiphol where our flight awaited.

Now here's where things got interesting. Seen the 'Airline' program? You know, the one where some idiot forgot his passport...

Well, that was me. I left it in the in-room safe, and had to call a Taxi back to the Hotel. One of the most impressive things I have ever seen was a combination of the Taxi driver calling the American on my behalf, and the doorman waiting with the retrieved passports in an envelope for us by the time we arrived twenty minutes later. Thats the difference between a good stay at a bad Hotel, and a bad moment at a good hotel.

Top marks all round to the Amsterdam American then. It would have been a 10/10 apart from the fact they should be good at the price level they operate within, but I had no complaints, it was a lovely Hotel, and had the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.