Pestana Amsterdam Riverside

comfortable rooms and nice pool but staff really not helpful, we were told to wait in the lobby for 2 hours for our room to be ready as it would only take '15 minutes', we went out and returned and it still wasn't ready, was given a drinks voucher but were tired and almost 4 hours wasted of our trip, we asked to settle up night before check out so we could get our cab on time and the receptionist piled on so much pressure for us not to my mum felt intimidated- it felt like the staff member just couldn't be bothered, lots of times we found no towels at the pool and a soaking wet floor, the pool was really nice but again just staffing, we ate at the restaurant on a Friday night and were the only people there 6-8:30pm. Restaurant and bar staff a lot more helpful than we experienced at the desk. Pestana is very far away from key 'tourist' spots... the riverside view is only nice if you book those rooms, the house boats block most of the view. Amazing city, nice clean rooms but really poor customer service.

Loved the sweets and Prosecco freely available in reception. Room was good size. Bed really comfy. Spa and gym pretty decent for the size and price of hotel. Walked from central Amsterdam in about 35 minutes and very easy to navigate on the tram if needed

Had a wonderful time and experience at this beautiful hotel! The building itself is so grand. The staff is wonderful. The room is spacious, modern and very clean. We loved the breakfast buffet they offer too! Loved staying at this hotel. Although it is a little outside the heart of Amsterdam we thoroughly enjoyed our time at Pestana Riverside.

I stayed for 8 days solo in a studio and best description I can give is indifferent to their guests. My studio was essentially a Hampton Inn- great bed, shower, and blackout curtains, fridge and microwave, Nespresso, and dishware- no oven or cooktop in the kitchenette. I paid $2200 total for 8 days. The room, hotel, and spa were spotlessly clean for my entire stay. And that's where the good part ended. For Americans coming over on the redeye, they will not have your room ready before 4pm and don't really care if you're tired and requested early check in. Be prepared for that. While waiting for my room, I went to the grocery for fruit and water and got caught in a torrential rainstorm. The hotel had me wait soaking wet in the lobby for two hours literally dripping puddles on their marble floor and rather than get my room ready, they gave me a towel to sit on so I wouldn't get the furniture wet. I got a courtesy call from the manager after getting to my room and then never heard from anyone for the rest of my 8 day stay. Indifferent. The restaurant was open for breakfast but no other meals. The spa had no services available Mon Tues or Wed. The bar and the concierge are closed on Sunday- all services one would expect to be available at a self-rated 5 star hotel. The front desk staff was not knowledgeable about any of the neighborhood stores or restaurants- indifferent shrugs when asked for information. There was one staff member with a name similar to Apollo who was good. Not one other staff greeted me or looked me in the eye. The hotel is a 4 minute walk to the #4 tram and the Albert Heijn grocery. The neighborhood has a great feel and I felt safe. The Amstel train station, the subway and the #3 tram are also within walking distance, although farther than the #4. The thing that changed this review from 3.5 to a 3 though, was the bar. I had to flag down a server to sign my bill and there it was- the one and only time in the entire country of The Netherlands that anyone requested a tip. And my habit kicked in and I left one. Indifferent. Transactional. Note- I received a survey from the parent company two weeks ago and left a review duplicate to this. I waited to post here to see if they would respond. Nothing, so posting here since they didn't acknowledge.

What a brilliant find! Very attentive and friendly staff. A gorgeous period building but modernised beautifully. Lovely wee restaurant, bar and pool. Bike hire and tasty breakfast. But what makes the place for me are two things, the staff’s kindness and the location of De Pijp - a fabulous residential area. The hotel overlooks the Amstel. We will definitely be back. Thank you for a lovely stay.