XO Hotels Blue Square

XO Hotels Blue Square, located on Slotermeerlaan in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, presents itself as a modern accommodation that strikes a balance between affordability and comfort. While it ’s a pragmatic choice for many travelers, an in-depth look at guest experiences and the amenities on offer reveals a picture with both clear positives and significant areas for improvement. It’s a form of alojamiento aimed at visitors looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city center in exchange for a more favorable price, but what does this mean for the guest experience in practice?

The Room Experience: A Mixed Picture

One of the most discussed topics among guests is the accommodations . Opinions on this vary widely, suggesting a potential inconsistency in the quality of the rooms. Many visitors, such as Shadi Sto and Tom van Weersch, praise the rooms for their cleanliness. Terms like "extremely clean" and "spotless" are used to describe the condition of the bed, linens, and bathroom. The beds are often considered comfortable, and the presence of a private bathroom is a consistent plus. The rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, contributing to a comfortable hospedaje . Some rooms also offer picturesque views of the Erasmus Canal, which can be an unexpected bonus.

At the other end of the spectrum, however, there are some very negative experiences. The review of P Pluum paints a dramatically different picture: a room that was smelly, dirty, and old, with worn sheets and even a partially detached ceiling in the shower. Other guests have reported used, smelly sheets covered in hair and rooms too small for luggage. This contrasting feedback suggests that while many rooms meet a good standard, there are also rooms in dire need of maintenance or renovation. Potential guests would do well to be aware of this variability. It's not a resort with guaranteed luxury, but rather a city hotel where the experience can vary from room to room.

Service and Facilities: The Reliable Pillars

While the rooms leave a mixed impression, the hotel's service and overall facilities seem to leave a more stable, positive impression. Several guests describe the staff as friendly, attentive, and helpful. A key advantage is the 24-hour reception, which offers flexibility for guests arriving or departing late. This is a crucial service for an international clientele.

Another significant advantage, especially in a city like Amsterdam, is the presence of an underground parking garage. Frank Venhorst highlights this as a major plus. For travelers arriving by car, this offers a safe and relatively affordable parking solution. The cost is €25 for 24 hours, which is competitive by Amsterdam standards. The hotel also has a restaurant, Blue's Bistro, where breakfast is served, and a bar. Free Wi-Fi throughout the building is also mentioned as a standard and appreciated amenity. While it doesn't offer extensive recreational options such as an albergue or a complex with vacation apartments , it focuses on the essential services for city visitors.

Location: The Trade-Off Between Price and Distance

The location in Amsterdam Nieuw-West is perhaps XO Hotels Blue Square’s most defining feature. It’s not a hostal or posada in the heart of the historic canal belt. The hotel is located approximately 5.5 kilometers from Dam Square, which means a journey time of approximately 25-30 minutes by tram to the city center. The nearby Lodewijk van Deysselstraat tram stop (serving tram 13, among others) offers a direct connection, which guests find very convenient.

This distance to the city center is a conscious decision. As a result, the price for an overnight stay is considerably lower than at comparable hotels in the city center. This is an attractive proposition for budget-conscious travelers. The surrounding area also has its own charm; it's quieter and offers a more local experience. Nearby is Plein '40-'45, with a shopping center and a daily market, and Sloterpark with the Sloterplas lake offers recreational opportunities. However, travelers who want to spend every minute of their stay in the tourist heart of the city should factor in the extra travel time and costs for public transport. This isn't a rental around the corner from the Rijksmuseum, but a base that requires some planning.

Appearance and General Impression

An interesting point raised by a guest is the discrepancy between the hotel's exterior and interior. The building itself, a large blue square designed by Frans van Gool, is considered by some to be dated or even unattractive. The comment that "the hotel's exterior looks much worse than it is inside" is telling. This can affect the first impression, but most guests are pleasantly surprised once they step into the more modern and inviting lobby and rooms. This is a classic case of "don't judge a book by its cover." It's not a luxury hostería or a complex of idyllic villas ; it's a functional building with a focus on the internal guest experience.

• Advantages:
  • Good value for money for Amsterdam.
  • Generally clean rooms and comfortable beds.
  • Friendly and helpful staff with a 24-hour reception.
  • Private underground parking at a reasonable rate.
  • Good public transport connections to the city centre and Schiphol Airport.
• Disadvantages:
  • Location outside the immediate city centre (approx. 25-30 minutes travel time).
  • Inconsistency in the quality and maintenance of the rooms.
  • Dated and uninspiring exterior of the building.
  • No extensive extra facilities such as a swimming pool.

In summary, XO Hotels Blue Square is a solid option for travelers seeking affordable alojamiento in Amsterdam who are willing to stay outside the city center. Its core strengths are the friendly service, the practical facilities like parking garages, and the clean, comfortable base that many of the habitaciones provide. However, potential guests should be aware of the "lottery" regarding the condition of their room and the need to use public transportation daily. It is not a destination in itself, like a resort or a charming cabaña , but a functional and often appreciated base for exploring the city and its surroundings.