Finding my own idea of luxury at InterContinental Amstel, Amsterdam

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I was back at the InterContinental Amstel in Amsterdam last Monday. I reviewed the hotel last year so I won’t run through the basics again. Essentially this is a very large historical hotel with very few rooms (55, plus 24 suites) which gives it a unique atmosphere.

I redeemed 50,000 IHG Rewards Club points for a room. This was an outstanding deal since various events in the city meant that cash rooms were going for £800. Paul McCartney had shared my good taste and was staying at the same time.

Due to my InterContinental Ambassador status, I was guaranteed an upgrade. I was pushed up more than was strictly necessary and given a lovely – albeit overtly flowery – Junior Suite:

I actually preferred this to the ‘proper’ suite I was given last year as I prefer having one large open plan room rather than a fully separate sleeping and living area.

I also got the chance to try out the pool this time. It sits at river level – you can just make out the barges floating outside the window.

I also got to spend the evening on the riverside outdoor terrace again as the sun was out.

Without getting overly philosophical, this stay did give me time to consider what we understand by ‘luxury’. It isn’t necessarily about having the latest gadgets in your room or being in a property which was redecorated a week ago.

I live a busy life, with two young children and a wife who has her own successful career. This site runs 24/7 and needs constant attention wherever I am in the world.

See the photo of the pool? There is no-one there except me. See the terrace? It is empty. See my big open plan room? That space is all mine. Some people would hate a hotel like this. I certainly wouldn’t want to live my life that way. But, sometimes, it is great to be able to spend 20 hours somewhere where you can relax and get away from it all. That is what ‘luxury’ meant to me last Monday.

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This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

OttoMH says:

14 Jun14 June 06:00

Raffles,

I completely agree on the philosophical side. The less human beings the better, most of the time! Using ihg points for the IC Hong Kong was the first redemption that really helped me understand the true value of the points and miles lifestyle!

Otto
Nathan says:

14 Jun14 June 06:20

does it have a lounge? looks incredible
- Rob says:
  
  14 Jun14 June 09:12
  
  No. Hotel is too small and too quiet – no crowds to get away from!
Ted says:

14 Jun14 June 06:57

You got lucky with the upgrade. The Ambassador upgrade is only guaranteed on paid stays.
- Volker says:
  
  14 Jun14 June 08:33
  
  I recently redeemed my Ambassador free weekend night certificate at the Intercontinental DUS and was surprised that I got upgraded and received about 3,600 IHG points. Was I lucky, too?
  
  Lovely article by the way, Raffles, which sets HFP apart from other websites. Personal views, pictures of your family etc. make your reports more tangible if you know what I mean.
  - Rob says:
    
    14 Jun14 June 09:09
    
    Most IC hotels do upgrade on reward nights even though, by the rules, it is not required.
James says:

14 Jun14 June 07:29

What would you recommend for an Amsterdam hotel in the £150-200 range for a couple?
- Edd M says:
  
  14 Jun14 June 08:11
  
  If you’re looking for big and modern, the Doubletree adjacent to the station has a great roof bar and cool rooms.
  - Rob says:
    
    14 Jun14 June 09:10
    
    I did consider that – the Amstel only opened up for redemption a week before arrival.
- Danny says:
  
  14 Jun14 June 08:48
  
  The crowne plaza is solid and has a great location… and a great restaurant. Circa 3 minutes from Amsterdam centraal.
  - Mrtibbs1999 says:
    
    14 Jun14 June 11:23
    
    I’ll second the CP. I went on the 40euro a night dead season rate in January 2014 and they upgraded me to a suite with lounge access. If only it had a pool I’d live there!
- Brian says:
  
  14 Jun14 June 17:32
  
  Mercure Centre Canal District, sometimes called Frommer, I believe. Beautiful quiet location amidst the canals, but a short walk from the Rijksmuseum. Cheaper than many other options, but the location sets it apart. Central station should be avoided, I think – way too packed and touristy.
Rohan says:

14 Jun14 June 07:57

Good post raffles , I think most of us lead busy lives . Work , family etc . constantly happening 24/7
.
A break like this without hustle and bustle is just sometimes what one needs
Tristan Elby says:

14 Jun14 June 10:02

Austrian economics would call this the ‘subjectivity of value’, and I think this is philosophically well-grounded, in the sense that it is generally accepted that you cannot logically derive a prescriptive conclusion from descriptive premisses. You thus make perfect sense in this article when you indicate that the idea of luxury is a personal matter!
Ba-flyer says:

14 Jun14 June 10:10

Do IC redemptions usually include breakfast?
Irons1980 says:

14 Jun14 June 10:13

IC Redemptions NEVER include breakfast!
It’s one of the only downsides to IHG redemptions IMO that you can only redeem for basic / standard rooms… any upgrades / perks are at the discretion of the hotel.
But in IHG properties, they are sometimes decent – I did a redemption stay at Paris Le Grand and they upgraded me to a beautiful suite with all Ambassador benefits (movie, gifts in room, etc), but still no breakfast.
- Kai says:
  
  14 Jun14 June 11:09
  
  It’s not about redemption. Even RA never receives free breakfast on paid stays.
  - Irons1980 says:
    
    14 Jun14 June 13:51
    
    Read the comment above mine, please!
    - Irons1980 says:
      
      14 Jun14 June 14:09
      
      I am only referring to redemptions, not paid stays. I have been given free breakfast on a paid stay as a Platinum at the CP Times Square – but it’s at the discretion of the individual hotel, rather than as a guaranteed status benefit. I also find at ICs if you stay in a Club room on a RO basis, they will usually allow you to still take breakfast in the restaurant or have breakfast in the lounge.
- Rob says:
  
  14 Jun14 June 12:37
  
  There is a bakery – a real bakery – across the street which I go to for coffee and a croissant.
  - Aeronaut says:
    
    14 Jun14 June 17:45
    
    Amsterdam is a wonderful city, and the Dutch are a great people.