"This is a written version of a video review made for youtube and tiktok.
Intro
In Amsterdam, we decided to stay at the Park Inn by Radisson, located slightly outside the city center but only a few hundred meters from Sloterdijk train station. From there, you can catch a train and reach the main railway station and central Amsterdam in about 10 minutes.
As we were about to step inside the hotel, we noticed that the revolving doors weren’t working properly and had to be pushed manually. It gave a slightly cheap feel and not the best first impression, to be honest.
Lobby
The lobby felt a bit sterile and didn’t have much to look at, but it was clean, spacious, and modern. The illuminated receptionist desks shifting through different colors were an eye-catching feature.
There were also a few massage pods, something I hadn’t seen in other Radisson properties before, along with a small market selling snacks, drinks, toiletries, candies, and even cables or adapters if you happened to need one. Check-in was quick and smooth, and the receptionist told us we’d been upgraded to a junior suite.
I’m a big fan of panoramic glass elevators, and to my surprise this hotel had one. Even though the regular elevators would have taken us up much faster, I waited for the glass one. The view wasn’t anything spectacular, through the elevator window you could see parts of the lobby and some exterior areas of the hotel but it’s still something I always like to experience.
Junior Suite – 838
For a junior suite, the room was surprisingly small; I’ve seen some superior rooms in other Radisson properties that were about the same size. The room had a big TV, a Nespresso CitiZ capsule machine, a comfortable king-size bed, and the “city view” I had requested, though you really had to squint to see the city far in the distance. It always makes me happy when hotel staff tries their best to listen and fulfill guest wishes if possible.
There was also a kettle with the usual tea, coffee, and cocoa sachets, and bathrobes and slippers waiting in the closet.
The bathroom was quite spacious and included all essential toiletries, a hair dryer, and both a regular and a rain shower. I have to be honest and say I wasn’t a big fan of the red color scheme, which in my eyes made it feel a bit like a cheaper hostel style bathroom rather than something you’d expect in a Radisson.
The hotel also offered a pillow selection, and my wife requested an extra one since there was only one pillow per guest. I was also surprised there were no welcome amenities, not even water bottles, which Radisson usually provides. I called the reception, and they apologized and explained that we should have received water and some snacks. Not long after, a friendly staff member brought two bottles of water, a couple of chocolate bars, and a bag of chips to our room.
Overall, the room was completely fine and served its purpose for our two-night stay in Amsterdam before flying home.
Gym
The gym wasn’t anything special. It was a small room with two cable machines, the usual treadmills, bikes, and cross-trainers. They also had some kettlebells, but the real highlight was the set of heavier dumbbells up to 25 kg. This was a pleasant surprise, as the two Radisson hotels we stayed at in Belgium only had light dumbbells up to 15 kg. With these, I was able to do at least some proper strength training.
Still, this isn’t the kind of gym where you can maintain a full workout routine for a longer stay. If fitness is important to you, it’s better to stay somewhere else or visit a proper gym. There was a water dispenser available if you needed a drink during your workout.
Breakfast
The breakfast selection was surprisingly varied for a Park Inn property, although the sweet section had only a few items. The warm dishes included sausages, beans, hash browns, bacon, and eggs prepared in a few different ways. There was also a good variety of fruits. Park Inn hotels are usually basic three-star properties and the more affordable option within the Radisson group, so I was pleasantly surprised to see sparkling wine available at breakfast.
The cold cuts selection was okay, nothing special, and tasted more like supermarket quality. Another nice touch, and something I don’t think I’ve seen elsewhere, was the citrus juicer in the corner, allowing guests to make fresh orange juice every morning.
Fresh brewed coffee wasn’t available, but the machine offered a range of coffee options. It’s always a plus to see pancakes at breakfast as well. The breakfast room itself was spacious and bright, making it a pleasant space to enjoy your breakfast and start new day.
Conclusion
All in all, our stay at the Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam was a pleasant and convenient experience, especially for a short city break. The location near Sloterdijk station made travelling around incredibly easy, and despite a few small hiccups, like the faulty revolving door and missing welcome amenities, staff were friendly, attentive, and quick to help when needed.
The junior suite, while smaller than expected, was comfortable, clean, and well equipped for a two night stay. The gym wasn’t ideal for maintaining a full routine, but the heavier dumbbells were a pleasant surprise.
Breakfast exceeded our expectations for a Park Inn property, offering a good mix of hot items, fresh fruit, pancakes, and even sparkling wine and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Overall, the hotel delivered solid value and a smooth, enjoyable stay making it a reliable choice for travellers who want comfort, good service, and easy access to Amsterdam without the high central prices."