Hotel Arena - Amsterdam, Netherlands     

The hotel was really nice, and good location right by the zoo. 5 minute walk to all public transportation and about 15 to 20 minute walk to any of the top tourist places to go. The service was really good and everyone would help you out with where to go in the area.

Just spent the weekend in Amsterdam and thought the Arena was a really striking hotel - very trendy, minimalist and a very interesting mix of old and new. They did mix up the booking at the start and put us in a small twin room when we had booked an exec suite, but after an apology we got a large room which was most impressive with its vaulted high ceilings, 2 huge windows overlooking the canal, wood stripped floors and a white sheeted double bed looking very small in the middle of such a huge and bare (but as in 'mininal' not in 'bleak') room. The bathroom was okay but not that impressive. The room however was clean and well maintained, if a bit chilly. The staff seemed very pleasant to me, and the breakfast we only had on one morning was very good (but don't be late it's cleared away in seconds even if you are trying to serve yourself). Whilst the hotel is a long walk from the center of town the tube is only around 5 minutes walk away and the number 9 and 14 tram run from the central station to very near the hotel. In all a pleasant experience and a room and decor to remember!