HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AMSTERDAM - NORTH RIVERSIDE BY IHG, Amsterdam

The hotel is in a quieter, evolving district of Amsterdam-Noord, offering easier access by car than central hotels. The free IJplein ferry operates every 7 minutes until late evening, docking at Amsterdam Central Station in about 5 minutes - making the city centre reachable in under 25 minutes door to door. The nearest metro station (Noorderpark) is a 10-15 minute walk for a one-stop journey to Central Station. Two large supermarkets are directly opposite, and several restaurants, breweries, and cafés are within a 5-minute walk. Schiphol Airport is 21 km away; take the train from Central Station then the metro or ferry. The surrounding streets can feel quiet and dark at night, but the area is generally safe.

The hotel offers double and twin rooms, plus family rooms with a sofa bed some of which can be connected. All rooms have air conditioning, soundproof walls, carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, an iron and ironing board, and a hairdryer. Walk-in showers are standard - some have open-plan designs that can wet the bathroom floor. Rooms on higher floors and in the tower block further from the on-site nightclub are noticeably quieter. Some internal rooms have no operable windows. City-view rooms face residential housing rather than the central skyline. Corner suites on high floors offer larger windows with excellent canal views. Storage space is limited: a small open hanging rail and two shelves. No mini-fridge or safe is provided. Room size is compact for three people when the sofa bed is used.

Breakfast is a self-service continental buffet offering a variety of breads, croissants, pastries, cold meats (ham, salami, chicken), cheese, salad items, yoghurt, boiled eggs, fruit, and hot drinks from self-serve machines. Gluten-free bread and soy milk are available on request. During peak times (from around 09:00) the breakfast room can become very crowded with queues, and some items may run out close to the 10:00 end time. The on-site modern restaurant, CAFE NOORD, serves lunch and dinner daily with vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus a bar and terrace. Dinner service can experience delays when busy, and the local area also offers a kebab/fish shop, breweries, and several supermarkets directly opposite for self-catering.

Guests can rent bicycles from the front desk - €18 for a full day or €13 for three hours. The hotel is situated near the IJplein ferry and metro station, making it practical for cycling to the free ferry or directly into the city centre. Bike tours and walking tours of local culture can be arranged at an additional cost. The surrounding neighbourhood features several breweries, food markets, and a large supermarket for self-catering supplies. There is no pool, spa, or gym on the property.

The hotel provides free Wi-Fi throughout all rooms. The 24-hour front desk can store luggage, assist with taxi bookings, and sell public transport tickets. Luggage storage is available before check-in and after check-out. Daily housekeeping must be requested before 13:00; otherwise, the room will not be serviced. Laundry and dry cleaning are available for an additional charge. A small minimarket is on site for snacks and drinks. Paid private parking (€30/night) requires advance reservation, while street parking is cheaper (€1.60/hour) but limited. The on-site restaurant, bar, and minimarket offer basic dining and sundries. Service lift access can be slow during breakfast and check-out peaks when one lift is out of service.