Amsterdam houseboat for our stay? Yay or nay?

[Denali]

Amsterdam houseboat for our stay? Yay or nay?

Houseboat near city center - Houseboats for Rent in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

 

[Flashback]

Amsterdam houseboat for our stay? Yay or nay?

Houseboat near city center - Houseboats for Rent in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Funnily enough was thinking of that recently (think we saw one of these in Stockholm and it jogged my memory). I think it'd be cool to do, something a bit different.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Amsterdam houseboat for our stay? Yay or nay?

Houseboat near city center - Houseboats for Rent in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

We stayed at the Marriott Amsterdam - which was VERY good and in a great position ! BA had lost our luggage and I was having a nervous breakdown over that !! but the concierge really went above and beyond, keeping on them, until 5 days later he found our luggage in the unclaimed luggage about to be returned to Sydney !! Also dont stay at the Hilton ! it has really bad reviews !!

 

[Denali]

We stayed at the Marriott Amsterdam - which was VERY good and in a great position ! BA had lost our luggage and I was having a nervous breakdown over that !! but the concierge really went above and beyond, keeping on them, until 5 days later he found our luggage in the unclaimed luggage about to be returned to Sydney !! Also dont stay at the Hilton ! it has really bad reviews !!

Thanks! The Hiltons look aged and out of the way so theyre not a serious contender.

 

[Denali]

I found a good Air BNB that ticked all the boxes but then I read they allow smoking - thats an absolute deal breaker for me.

 

[rogerkambah]

Just over 2 weeks ago we stayed 3 nights at the Amsterdam Marriott Renaissance Schiphol Hotel. Quite pleasant and very new as had only been open 3 days before our arrival.
We had some problems with (lack of) housekeeping on 2 days and mentioned this to the Front desk.

At checkout I decided to pay by cash as I had more than enough EUR for the remainder of our European stay. The cashier had to call for the FO manger to open a cash drawer.

She appeared and took over our checkout, asking whether we enjoyed our stay and had any comments. We reiterated the problems concerning the housekeeping. She informed us there was a problem as housekeeping was outsourced and only available at certain times.

Wife asked if she would comp breakfasts on 2 mornings as recompense for the shortcomings in housekeeping. She agreed and produced a new account which I paid in cash.

Last week while checking my cc activity I noted that on the day we checked out my cc had been charged an amount equal to the comped breakfasts.

I sent an email to the FO manager (who had given us her card) suggesting that an 'administrative error' had been made and asking that action be taken to reimburse my cc.

No response yet and no repayment to cc.

Just wondering whether to continue with another email to FO manager cc'd to the GM, or whether to post on their FB page or dispute the charge with Amex.

What would others do?

 

[Denali]

I have a thread?

 

[yld200]

I stayed on a house boat in Amsterdam back in 2014 and quite enjoyed it - not as nice as the one in your link. The canal we stayed on was quite busy with boats but the owner had a set up a comprehensive suspension / dampening system to reduce the amount of rocking from the wake of boats going past. You could still feel it and it was strange sensation when sleeping at night.

I wouldn't recommend if you have any sensitivity to motion sickness.

 

[Denali]

....
I wouldn't recommend if you have any sensitivity to motion sickness.

Bugger.

I get sick watching waves on tv/movie screen. Had to leave George Clooney's 'Pefect Storm' before the ending and was sick a few times on the way home

 

[yld200]

Bugger.

I get sick watching waves on tv/movie screen. Had to leave George Clooney's 'Pefect Storm' before the ending and was sick a few times on the way home

Unfortunately I'd recommend it be a nay. The boats might look stable and fine, but once you're on-board you feel it much more.

 

[rogerkambah]

@Denali my post got moved here, but its nothing to do with your question. My issue has just been addressed by the hotel and is now fixed.

Just over 2 weeks ago we stayed 3 nights at the Amsterdam Marriott Renaissance Schiphol Hotel. Quite pleasant and very new as had only been open 3 days before our arrival.
We had some problems with (lack of) housekeeping on 2 days and mentioned this to the Front desk.

At checkout I decided to pay by cash as I had more than enough EUR for the remainder of our European stay. The cashier had to call for the FO manger to open a cash drawer.

She appeared and took over our checkout, asking whether we enjoyed our stay and had any comments. We reiterated the problems concerning the housekeeping. She informed us there was a problem as housekeeping was outsourced and only available at certain times.

Wife asked if she would comp breakfasts on 2 mornings as recompense for the shortcomings in housekeeping. She agreed and produced a new account which I paid in cash.

Last week while checking my cc activity I noted that on the day we checked out my cc had been charged an amount equal to the comped breakfasts.

I sent an email to the FO manager (who had given us her card) suggesting that an 'administrative error' had been made and asking that action be taken to reimburse my cc.

No response yet and no repayment to cc.

Just wondering whether to continue with another email to FO manager cc'd to the GM, or whether to post on their FB page or dispute the charge with Amex.

What would others do?

 

[RB]

Amsterdam houseboat for our stay? Yay or nay?

Houseboat near city center - Houseboats for Rent in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Looked into this when we were going to Amsterdam. Ended up not doing it-the better ones appeared to be similarly priced to better hotels. After walking around during our stay & seeing some of the houseboats I thought that an apartment/hotel offered better privacy.
If you are still tossing up re Amsterdam hotels there is a huge amount of info on the net re priceline and other secret hotel deals

 

[jeza]

Bugger.

I get sick watching waves on tv/movie screen. Had to leave George Clooney's 'Pefect Storm' before the ending and was sick a few times on the way home

Yes if you get sick at the movies then I would definitely not recommend a houseboat. When I used to sail the way most people get seasick was when they went down below, the motion without a reference to the horizon can bring it on really quickly.

That's also a tip for anyone on a boat that feels a bit queasy, try focusing on the horizon whist facing into the wind. The ultimate cure for seasickness is of course to go & sit under a tree