Rokin - Amsterdam, Netherlands     

My husband & I came back to Rokin after 3 years... not much has changed. The roadworks are STILL going on, (and apparently will be for a few more years) but as it was weekend we thought it should be relatively quiet... we were put in the basement - ok so far... right by the steps to the entrance of the hotel - still not too much of a problem - just keep the curtains closed... the side window didn't close properly so it was a bit draughty and those curtains HAD to stay closed.. We thought everything was ok unitl 6.30 on our first morning - it seems the generator for the central heating was right by our room in the alley. (Still not complaining... ) Then on Monday morning the roadworks start at 7am.... not good. We didn't get any noise on our last trip there as we were at the back of the hotel.. My advice is if you're staying at the Rokin in the near future stay out of the basement or the front of the hotel. Nothing else to groan about - shower and bathroom - perfect, with hot water whenever needed. Hotel staff - very polite and helpful. Breakfasts - better than expected. A lovely clean hotel (albeit noisy) in a great location. The only major problem is that as from 16th March this year (2008) this is now a NO SMOKING hotel which, for me, is worse than any noisy roadworks or central heating generator

This is the second time I have stayed at the Rokin, and on this occasion I would say it was worse. I fully understand that this hotel is in a very good location, and that hotels in Amsterdam are generally quite expensive. But this hotel is really too pricey for what you get. And on this occasion, we got a bathroom that smelt of blocked drains most of the time (potentially acknowledged by staff whom kept leaving the skylight opening during cleaning the room to get some fresh air circulating), we got pillow cases with holes, and pretty threadbare towels. The room was cleaned to a high standard however throughout the time we stayed there. The breakfast was barely satisfactory at best, and our last morning, we asked for a taxi to take us to Schipol airport. I know that taxi fares are unregulated in Amsterdam, but to have links with a taxi firm that charges up to ?40 for a one way run to Schipol is not the best way to keep customers happy - a kindly warning on fare charging might have been helpful? Generally however, staff were approachable during our stay. Overall, NOT worth over ?100 sterling A NIGHT! A shame, as given the location, a few changes to current practice would make this hotel ideal.........................and justify the prices charged.