Hotel Review: Hotel Pulitzer
To try another of Starwood Preferred Guest’s Luxury Collection of hotels, I booked the Hotel Pulitzer in Amsterdam. When booking online, in my imagination I saw 400 year old canals illuminated by candlelit Old Dutch houses, heard a tram clatter, and a boat line clanging softly against an aluminum mast in the distance.
Arriving at Schiphol airport, the hotel was 11 miles away. I could have taken the train to Central Station for just under 4 EUR, and then a tram to Westermarkt stop for 2,6 EUR. Instead I took a taxi directly there for about 40 EUR, which took just under 30 minutes. When I arrived, the area looked just as I had hoped. The hotel even has a boat for canal tours.
When checking in, I was told that all 230 guest rooms are different. It’s a very unique property comprised of of 25 restored 17th and 18th century canal houses that have been turned into a luxury property, and you couldn’t ask for a better location. It is smack dab in the middle of the old town, between the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht. For those unfamiliar with Amsterdam, this means that Anne Frank’s house is less than a 5 minute walk away, and the Rijksmuseum and Red Light District are just a few other places close by.
Because of the hotel layout, there were lots of twisty corridors, stairs, and confusing turns so it too a while to get to my suite. Once there, I was pleased. It was approx. 970 square feet, and the exposed beams of the rooms lent to the authentic charm of the hotel. Some of the flooring in the hotel is timber, though my room had carpet.
Walking to the bedroom in the dark, the small set of stairs down caused a tumble!
The bedroom was well laid out, and even had a fireplace for cold days.
Yummy Stroopwafels treats and water were waiting for me bedside.
The Dutch tiled bathroom off of the bedroom was spacious and had double sinks and a shower/tub combination.
The countertop setup was a little odd, with the sinks far away from one another. This meant that there was plenty of counter space though!
The amenities were from Bulgari’s Vert line, which is the strong smelling sibling of their milder Blanc line.
The bottles were well-sized at 2 ounces. Large enough for more than a shower, and small enough to fit in a 3-1-1 toiletry bag.
I enjoyed my stay at this hotel. It really did feel like a luxury property. The service was extremely courteous and warm, and the old-world charm was evident from the bellhops to the cozy bar in the lobby. I’d absolutely stay here again.
