As part of a last minute business trip to Amsterdam, I stayed at the Apollo Hotel, part of the Tribute Portfolio chain created by Starwood 5 years ago now.

I chose this hotel for its optimal location and because I had not yet tested it. And I must say that I am very pleasantly surprised both by the reception and by the facilities with regard to the price paid. To the point of reconciling me with Amsterdam?

Booking

I made this reservation the day before my stay, at the same time as my plane tickets: I did not want to make a round trip in the same day.

The hotel was available at the rate negotiated by my company, i.e. 136€ per night, which seems reasonable considering the price of other Starwood hotels in the city and its location. The day before my arrival, I noticed an upgrade of one category, in a “Design” room but almost 1/3 smaller than the Executive room initially booked. So I remain skeptical.

Arrival

I arrive by Uber from the client site in the late evening after a grueling day.

The lobby is very pleasant(photos taken the next morning).

Despite the late hour, I received a very professional and cheerful welcome, with the receptionist thanking me for my loyalty as an SPG Ambassador. And I must admit that this is the first time in a Starwood hotel that this distinction between Platinum and Ambassador is made.

As mentioned in my last checkout, I was upgraded to a Design room, and the receptionist offered to escort me there, which I declined.

Moreover, when I ask about my late check-out, he tells me that the keys are already programmed for 4pm, but that an extension until 8pm is possible if I wish of course.

I should also mention that he will call me by name every time.

Room

The Design room I stayed in is indeed quite small, but for a single night, it’s fine. Without falling into the clichés of a W hotel, the creative but sober design used is perfect and the tastes adapted to those of an upscale clientele.

The bed is extremely comfortable, on par with Starwood’s best hotels, and is surrounded by multi-format power outlets and USB outlets to charge our increasingly power-hungry devices.

The desk, although not very functional, has the merit of existing. And a handwritten note along with a bottle of water and some fruit were left there for me.

The bathroom is very functional, but the shower is not well protected from the rest of the room and causes splashes that can quickly end in flooding if you are not careful.

When I woke up, what a sweet surprise to see the magnificent view of one of the city’s canals and all the activity that takes place there on a Saturday morning!

Restaurants

I did not have the pleasure of testing the hotel’s restaurant, neither in the evening nor in the morning. However, the restaurants seem to be of good quality and reputable, considering the lively atmosphere that reigned when I arrived in the property.

To finish with the room, a visit in video:

Hotel facilities

Although there is no spa or pool, the hotel does have some (limited) fitness equipments in the property’s non-premium building. I was able to run a little bit there, but the place doesn’t give you the desire to linger.

Departure

The departure formalities were simplified because they were carried out on the cell phone thanks to the Mobile Check-out features of the SPG application. Invoice received 15 minutes later in my mailbox.

Bottom line

A very good stay for me, even if I regret not having been able to spend more time in the property. We regret the absence of a spa and the minimalism of the fitness equipment, but the quality of the rooms and the service are still the most important thing…