Amsterdam Hotel Stamford (CT): Your Dreamy Dutch Escape Awaits!
Amsterdam Hotel Stamford (CT): My Dutch Dream… Almost! (A Very Honest Review)
Okay, so, Amsterdam Hotel Stamford. The name alone conjures up images of canals, clogs, and maybe a cheeky smoke. I was pumped for this! My partner and I booked it for a long weekend, craving a little…well, a lot of relaxation. And maybe a taste of Europe, even if it was in Connecticut. Let’s dive in, shall we? Brace yourselves, because this review is likely to wander off the beaten path.
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Keywords: Amsterdam Hotel Stamford, Connecticut, Hotel Review, Stamford CT Hotels, Accessible Hotels Stamford, Spa Hotels CT, Dutch-Themed, Stamford Restaurants, Free Wi-Fi, Pool with a View, Fitness Center, Spa, Wheelchair Accessible, Meeting Facilities, Family-Friendly, Pet-Friendly (kinda!), Room Service, Stamford Staycation
Accessibility:
Alright, first things first, accessibility. This is a big one for me, as I have a family member using a wheelchair. The website claimed to be accessible, and that's what really got me jazzed. We did end up getting a wheelchair-accessible room, and there's an elevator, which is awesome. However, navigating the hotel itself felt a bit like an adventure. The hallways are kinda tight, and I noticed a few areas – especially around the pool - that could be better thought out. This is where I'm going to be honest; some bumps in the journey made it a bit of a stressful situation. So, while they try, it falls a little short of perfect, and is in dire need of improvement.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: From what I could see, the main restaurant, "Het Eethuis" (which means "The Eatery" in Dutch, naturally!), appeared to be accessible, but the seating layout meant maneuvering a wheelchair was a workout, and potentially, awkward. This is where you wish they'd really thought things through.
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, technically, and it’s good they tried. But with some things, it’s not quite on point and needs attention.
(Whew! Okay, that was the serious stuff. Let the fun begin!)
Internet:
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! And thank the gods. Especially when you're trying to check emails at 2 AM, because sleep just isn't happening. It was solid, for the most part. I did experience a few hiccups, especially when trying to upload my Insta story of me trying to eat a stroopwafel near the pool, which may or may not have ended up in the pool. Anyway, overall, not terrible internet.
Internet [LAN] - I didn't check this, because who uses LAN anymore? Apparently not me.
Internet Services - Fairly standard fare.
Wi-Fi in Public Areas - Fine, but nothing to write home about.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax:
Let’s get down to brass tacks: the Spa. Now, that was the draw. I’m a stressed-out human, and I needed spa. I'd heard the Pool with a view was amazing, and I was beyond excited. The pool was lovely, and it did have an amazing view.
The Gym/Fitness center was okay. I saw the treadmill, the elliptical, and the free weights. I didn't attempt to use them. I was on vacation. No gym.
The Sauna, the Steamroom - yes! I'm a sucker for a good sweat sesh. And the Spa/Sauna experience definitely didn't disappoint. I had a few hours there, melting into pure zen. The masseuse at the Spa was fantastic. I was so relaxed I could barely string a sentence together afterwards, and I kind of wandered around with that blissful, post-massage feeling. It was heaven.
Cleanliness and Safety:
I'm super paranoid about cleanliness, so the fact that they were advertising Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas really eased my mind. I did see staff wearing masks and hand sanitizer was readily available, which was a plus. The Rooms sanitized between stays, and with Safe dining setup - I felt pretty secure. I wasn't brave enough to eat with a crowd, so the breakfast to the room thing kept me and my sanity intact! They also used Sterilizing equipment.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
"Het Eethuis" was the main restaurant. The Breakfast [Buffet] was decent. There was a whole Western breakfast setup (eggs, bacon, etc.), and some Asian breakfast options too. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a godsend in the morning. I'm a caffeine addict. I was delighted by the fact that the Bar had Happy Hour. The Poolside bar was also a welcome treat. I had a Salad in restaurant, and a snack or two. I did try to order a dessert in restaurant, but it took forever. I'm gonna assume that's just bad luck.
Restaurants: Restaurants included "Het Eethuis," and a Coffee/tea in restaurant, which was nice.
Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver, especially when I’m craving a burger at 3 AM.
Services and Conveniences:
They had everything! Air conditioning (thank goodness!) Cash withdrawal (useful). A Concierge (never used them, unfortunately). Daily housekeeping (a lifesaver!) Elevator (essential!), Laundry service (thank you, thank you, thank you!), Luggage storage (easy peasy).
For the Kids:
They claim to be Family/child friendly. There was a Kids meal option on the menu. We didn't have the kids with us, so I can't vouch for the actual babysitting service.
Available in all rooms:
Air conditioning (check!), Alarm clock (useless for me - I use my phone!) Bathrobes (the best!), Coffee/tea maker (again, a lifesaver!), Free bottled water (always a welcome touch), Hair dryer (essential!), In-room safe box (didn't use it), Internet access – wireless (YES!), Ironing facilities (never have time!), Mini bar (overpriced!), Non-smoking (praise be!), Refrigerator (handy!), Satellite/cable channels (meh, I didn't watch TV), Shower (great!), Wi-Fi [free] (THANK YOU!).
The Rambly, Random Thoughts That Don't Fit Anywhere Else:
- The Room Décor: The room was… Dutch-inspired? I think. There were a few Dutch-themed pictures, and some orange accents. It was clean and comfortable. The bed was comfy. The Blackout curtains were a must for me.
- The Staff: Generally friendly and helpful. I did have an issue with a late check-in, which had me a little frustrated.
- The View: The view from the room was fine, but it wasn't the most spectacular thing.
- * The Overall Vibe: It tried, it really did. But the Dutch theme felt a little forced, almost like a theme park ride. It would benefit from some Dutch character, some Dutch soul.
My Final Verdict:
Amsterdam Hotel Stamford is a decent hotel. It has a great spa, a nice pool, and some genuinely helpful staff. It tries to deliver a Dutch experience, but it needs a little more oomph to make it truly memorable. And they really need to work on their accessibility. If you're looking for a relaxing getaway with a spa, it could be a good bet, but don't expect a true slice of Amsterdam. I'd give it a solid 7/10, with room for improvement and some fun to boot. I certainly had some fun, despite the bumps! I'd also go back. I'M serious, despite my little disappointments.
P.S. I'm still wondering if that stroopwafel ever made it into the pool…
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Okay, buckle up, Buttercup. This isn't your perfectly-manicured travel blog. This is… Amsterdam Hotel Stamford, CT: A Cluster-Luck Itinerary. Prepare for feels, frenzied pacing, and a healthy dose of "did I really just do that?"
Day 1: Arrival & High Expectations (Shattered Gently)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Stamford (CT) – Wait, is this it? I mean, the pictures made this place look… well, Amsterdam-esque. Okay, maybe the name suggested Amsterdam. Whatever, gotta keep an open mind! Driving, a total snooze-fest. My GPS lady, bless her robotic heart, kept trying to send me down dead-end streets. Finally, THERE it is. Oh. The Stamford Amsterdam. It looks… like a hotel. A perfectly functional hotel. Room is small. But clean! That's a win.
- 2:00 PM: Unpack. Or rather, attempt to unpack. Struggle bus is real. My suitcase exploded. I feel like I'm living in a clothes bomb went off.
- 3:00 PM: Reconnaissance mission. Walk around the hotel (like, the immediate area). "Exploring" sounds far fancier than it is. Found… a CVS. And a Dunkin'. Is this Amsterdam? I think not. Realization hits: this isn't some whimsical canal-side getaway. I'm in Stamford. I need a coffee. And maybe a snack.
- 4:00 PM: Coffee fueled. Attempt to "work." Sigh. I need to make a call. Did I mention I hate phone calls?
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant: decent. Decently bland. Ordered the shrimp cocktail – I think it may have been pre-made. I'm starting to fantasize about a really good slice of pizza. I'm already scheming my escape.
- 7:00 PM: Netflix and…well, nothing. Just gonna veg. Honestly, I'm too tired to do anything else. The hotel is surprisingly quiet. This is a good thing.
Day 2: The Quest for Authentic Flavors (and Maybe a Meltdown)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Scrambled eggs. Standard. Why can't hotels master eggs? A mystery for the ages. Contemplating whether to tip.
- 9:00 AM: Let's get cultured. The website mentioned a "historic district." Sounded promising. Found… some old buildings. I'm not sure it was "historic" or just "old." I am not so sure.
- 10:00 AM: Okay, mission: Find "real" food. Not the pre-packaged kind. Someone on "The Google" raved about a bakery. That's the plan! Driving. GPS robot lady and I are on speaking terms again.
- 10:30 AM: Bakery acquired! The smell… heaven. Bought a pastry. Ate the pastry. My blood sugar is screaming. Worth it. Totally worth it.
- 11:30 AM: Back to the hotel for… more relaxing. (aka avoiding small talk). My brain is fried.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Again, I ordered the bland shrimp cocktail. I'm starting to think the bartender knows me. I need to change my routine.
- 2:00 PM: I saw a sign for a spa. I decided to book a massage. I never do this. I decided to do it here.
- 3:00 PM: Massage. Yes. Oh yes. That's good. Really, really good. Best massage I've had in ages. I may never leave.
- 4:00 PM: Post-massage bliss. I felt like I could conquer the world. Or at least the hotel room.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at some generic chain restaurant. Regret. I should have gone back to the bakery.
- 7:00 PM: The hotel is still quiet. It's weird. It's maybe a little creepy. But I'm grateful. More Netflix. I'm starting to feel… okay.
Day 3: Embracing the Mundane (or at Least, Accepting It)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast… the usual. I know the hotel staff is judging me.
- 9:00 AM: I've decided to walk around outside. Stamford isn't Amsterdam, I know it's not. But I also know I didn't need to do all these things to feel this way.
- 9:30 AM: A little walk outside. The trees are pretty, the park is ok. I am surprised.
- 10:30 AM: Okay, I give up. I'm going back to the hotel. I'm going to lay down and do… nothing.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I order the same thing, and feel shame.
- 1:00 PM: Nap.
- 3:00 PM: Time to check out. This trip was not the "Amsterdam" experience I was seeking. Disappointing? A little. Did I learn anything? Maybe. Did I get some good rest? Yes. Did I spend too much time getting stressed about my schedule? Absolutely.
- 4:00 PM: Head home. Drive. GPS lady… is that you?
Final Thoughts:
Look, the Amsterdam Hotel in Stamford, CT, isn't going to transport you to the canals of Holland. And let's be honest, maybe I was expecting too much. But it did offer a quiet escape. And hey, the massage was amazing. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you least expect. And sometimes, you just need a good nap. Now, where's that pizza…
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Amsterdam Hotel Stamford (CT): Your Dreamy Dutch Escape Awaits! ...Maybe? A FAQ with a Dash of Chaos!
Is the Amsterdam Hotel actually *in* Amsterdam? (Because...duh)
Oh, honey, no. Big gulp. It's in Stamford, Connecticut. Which, let's be honest, isn't *quite* the canals and clogs of the real deal. I made that mistake once, booking a last-minute getaway. Picture my face when I landed… Talk about a reality check! But hey, Stamford *does* have a certain... charm. It's got a Target. Close enough, right?
What's the vibe like? Is it, like, actually trying to be Dutch?
Okay, *vibe*. This is where things get interesting. Yes, they *try*. Think vaguely European. There's definitely a windmill in the lobby. It's pretty, I guess? Reminds me of those giant inflatable things at those cheesy festivals. They have Delftware-esque stuff dotted around. Honestly, it’s a little…overcooked? Feels like a set for a low-budget play about the Netherlands, but hey, they commit. It *does* make you smile. And hey, at least it's trying! Unlike that time I stayed at a hotel that claimed to be "rustic" and looked like a repurposed prison cell. Ugh.
Are the rooms good? (Because, let's face it, it's ALL about the room...)
Alright, the rooms… Okay. Okay, breathe. They're… perfectly fine. Generally clean, which, you know, is a MAJOR win in my book. The beds are comfy enough to *not* cause back pain the next day, which is also a bonus. I stayed in one with a view of… a parking lot. Not quite tulips and windmills, but hey, it’s Stamford. My *real* gripe? The lighting. It was always kinda… dim. Like a perpetual date night, even at 10 AM. I needed sunglasses just to read a book. And the hairdryer? Weak. My hair felt like a limp noodle. But hey, at least the A/C worked! Can’t win them all.
What about the breakfast? Is there stroopwafel? Please tell me there's stroopwafel.
Stroopwafel... that's the million-dollar question, right? The holy grail of any vaguely Dutch experience. Well…yes and no. They *had* stroopwafel. But here’s the thing. **THEY WERE STALE.** I mean, jaw-breakingly, tooth-shatteringly stale. It was like biting into a brick of hardened sugar. My heart *sank*. I actually complained. The poor guy at the counter looked genuinely horrified. "Oh dear," he muttered. "We'll get you some fresh ones." But even the "fresh" ones were… not great. Look, I’m forgiving, I *am*, but bad stroopwafel…that's just an insult. The rest of the breakfast was…standard hotel fare. Scrambled eggs that tasted suspiciously like they'd been sitting under a heat lamp since the dawn of time. Fruit that was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t the highlight of my culinary journey. I should have just gone to Dunkin' Donuts, really.
Is there a pool? Because a pool is essential.
Yes! There is a pool! And it's… decent. Nothing overly fancy, but definitely a welcome escape, especially after a long day pretending you're in Amsterdam. It's outdoors, which is delightful. There's a small pool bar, which is, you know, perfect for a questionable cocktail by the pool. I remember one time, I went to the bar and ordered a "Dutch Mule". It was *hideous*. I think they used tap water and way too much ginger. It tasted like I was licking a copper pipe. But hey, the sun was shining, I was on "vacation," and I was with a couple of friends, so I survived. It *is* Stamford though. Be prepared for kids. Lots and lots of kids. But if you're smart, you might grab the loungers behind the hedges. Trust me.
What's the parking situation like? (Because driving in Connecticut is a nightmare.)
Parking? Ah, the bane of every traveler's existence. The Amsterdam Hotel has parking. It's… adequate. I believe it's valet. I *think* I remember having to wait forever for my car. My hazy memory of that time is probably colored by the aforementioned bad stroopwafels. I just remember feeling like I was trapped in a hotel for an eternity. But yes, parking is available. Prepare to pay, though. Everything in Stamford costs a fortune. Especially that parking.
Would you recommend it? Be honest!
Okay. Here’s the deal. *Would* I recommend the Amsterdam Hotel in Stamford? It really depends. If you’re looking for a *genuine* taste of Amsterdam, prepare to be disappointed. If you're in Stamford, and need a place to get away, be prepared for a little bit of… well, Stamford-ness. The hotel is perfectly fine. It's clean. It's generally comfortable. The staff are friendly to the point of being overly polite. Sometimes the stroopwafel is stale. But… it's *okay*. It's a good option to get away for a weekend, and I did enjoy the little trip. Take it for what it is: a slightly quirky, vaguely-European-themed hotel in Connecticut. Just don't go expecting the canals. And maybe bring your own stroopwafels…
Did anything REALLY annoy you? What was the biggest downside?
Oh. Okay. The biggest downside… Besides those abysmal stroopwafels? I would say it's the overall lack of… character. Don't get me wrong, I like the *idea* of the theme. But more often than not, it seemed to be all surface-level. The windmill, the Delftware... it felt like they were just ticking boxes. It could've been so much more *immersive*. I wanted to *feel* like I was in Amsterdam (or, you know, a Stamford-ized version of Amsterdam). Instead, I just felt like I was in a slightly themed hotel. Missed opportunity, honestly.
What about the location? Is it convenient?
The location… well, it's in Stamford. That pretty much saysYour Stay Hub
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