The Albus

The Albus, a Michelin Key Selected property in Amsterdam, Netherlands, consistently earns high praise for its prime location, modern design, and exceptional service. This 4-star boutique hotel, run by a Dutch family, offers a blend of contemporary style and warm hospitality, aiming to create a "Sense of Bliss" for its guests.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general sentiment for The Albus is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "Very Good" (an average of 8.4 on Booking.com) and "Excellent" on various platforms. Many reviews highlight a comfortable and enjoyable stay, often expressing a desire to return.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Albus for several standout features:

• Service: The staff receives effusive praise for being "top tier," "extremely friendly," "caring," "nice," and "helpful." Many guests mention a warm welcome, including champagne on arrival, and commend staff members like Martan and Mido for their attentiveness and assistance with recommendations and reservations.
• Location: The hotel's central location in the heart of Amsterdam's canal district is often described as "unbeatable" and "perfect." It offers easy walking access to major attractions, museums, shopping areas, and a tram stop directly outside, providing convenient transport to Central Station.
• Design: The Albus boasts a chic, modern, and contemporary design, meticulously crafted by Dutch designer Maureen Mak van Waay. The interiors are stylish and elegant, creating a welcoming and peaceful retreat.
• Amenities: The hotel provides complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee/tea machines, Smart TVs (some with Netflix), laptop safes, and luxurious beds. It is also a sustainable choice, holding a Green Key Gold certification.

3. Room Quality

The Albus features 72 to 75 modernly designed rooms and suites, emphasizing comfort and luxury. Guests frequently praise the "super comfortable beds" with soft Egyptian cotton and premium mattresses, ensuring a blissful night's sleep. Bathrooms are stylish and spotless, typically equipped with walk-in rain showers, and some larger rooms or suites may include freestanding bathtubs. Rooms offer individually controlled climate settings (air conditioning for heating and cooling) and ample storage space with wardrobes. While some rooms can be compact, ranging from 18m² (195 sq ft) for Smart City Rooms, others like the Splendid City King Room (22m²-24m²) and suites (up to 345 sq ft) offer more generous space.

4. Dining Experience

• Senses Restaurant: The hotel's award-winning Senses Restaurant is a highlight, recommended by Michelin, Gault&Millau, JRE, and Lekker 500. Led by Chef Renaud Goigoux, it offers a fine-dining experience with refined dishes inspired by seasons, vibrant colors, and pure, local, organic ingredients, often featuring French techniques with a Japanese twist. The menu focuses on vegetables, complemented by high-quality fish and shellfish.
• Breakfast: The breakfast at Senses is highly rated, with a guest review score of 8.8. It's described as a diverse buffet, "above and beyond what a normal continental breakfast would be," offering items like eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, croissants, fresh juices, and coffee. Some reviews mention live cooking and an à la carte menu with options like Eggs Benedict and waffles.
• Senses Bar & Lounge: Guests can unwind in the stylish lounge or at Senses Bar, enjoying signature cocktails, elegant G&Ts, exceptional wines, and craft beers, along with a bites menu.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Albus consistently receives glowing reviews. Staff members are repeatedly described as "friendly," "helpful," "attentive," and going "above and beyond." Many guests report receiving a warm welcome, sometimes with a glass of champagne upon check-in. The multilingual staff is praised for providing excellent recommendations for local attractions and restaurants, assisting with reservations, and offering thoughtful gestures like storing and warming food for guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Albus boasts an "absolutely perfect" and "unbeatable" central location in Amsterdam's historic canal district. It is situated close to major squares like Rembrandtplein and Muntplein, making popular attractions such as museums, vibrant shopping streets, and various restaurants, bars, and terraces easily accessible on foot. A tram stop (number 24) is conveniently located right in front of the hotel, providing direct access to Central Station and other tourist sites. For those arriving by car, discounted parking is available at the Prins & Keizer garage, just a two-minute walk away.

7. Value & Pricing

While hotels in Amsterdam can be perceived as expensive, The Albus is generally considered to offer good value for money, with a Booking.com score of 7.9 for value. The hotel encourages direct bookings by offering a "Best Rate Guarantee" and exclusive perks, including a welcome drink, potential room upgrades (subject to availability), 25% off their "Blissful Breakfast," and late check-out. Prices can vary, with Kayak showing rates from $104 to $402, and the cheapest booked price around $140.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Heating System: A common complaint, particularly during colder months, is that the heating system relies solely on the in-room air conditioning unit. This can sometimes result in rooms being cold initially and the air becoming dry, affecting breathing.
• Room Size: While praised for design and comfort, some guests have found certain rooms, particularly the "Smart City Rooms," to be on the smaller side.
• Noise: Street-facing rooms can be subject to noise from the bustling Vijzelstraat, especially at night. The hotel proactively addresses this by providing earplugs.
• Breakfast Cost & Variety: Some guests have found the breakfast to be expensive for what is offered. One review mentioned limited fresh fruit (other than grapes) and a less organized presentation of the buffet.
• Apartment Stairs: For multi-floor apartments, guests have noted that the internal staircases can be "extremely steep" and may pose a challenge, which is not always clearly specified in descriptions.
• Limited Facilities: The hotel does not have an on-site pool or gym.

Sources

1. albushotel.com
2. com-amsterdam.com
3. albushotel.com
4. booking.com
5. albushotel.com
6. booking.com
7. albushotel.com
8. youtube.com
9. oyster.com
10. hoteleamsterdam.net
11. albushotel.com
12. travelocity.com
13. expedia.co.uk
14. booking.com
15. kayak.com
16. booking.com