Review: The College Hotel Amsterdam, Autograph Collection

The College Hotel Amsterdam, Autograph Collection was a lovely stay with much more character than anticipated. This was our first hotel on a whirlwind tour of Amsterdam, and I booked it at the last minute as part of our journey to use miles and points to see Taylor Swift in concert.

I would love to stay at the College Hotel again, and next time, for more than one night!

Booking

I booked this hotel with a favorable industry rate, and I’m not sure I would have booked it at first glance otherwise. The rates for both cash and Marriott Bonvoy points vary wildly, seemingly without rhyme or reason, and you’ve got to cherry-pick dates to get 1 cent per point CAD.

The better bet for booking would be to find a cheap cash rate and offset it with a fixed currency like Scene+ Rewards points or CIBC Aventura points.

I considered applying a Nightly Upgrade Award, but I only had five left in my account that were all set to expire in 18 months, so I wasn’t in a rush to use them. Luckily, I was proactively upgraded a few days before arriving!

Check-in

We arrived just after check-in time, at 3:00 p.m., and were very impressed with the hotel’s initial vibe.

The check-in desk is located to the left after you make your way through the dramatic entrance, and just next to it is a well-decorated study.

The attendant at the desk gave us loads of information about the hotel. Most interestingly, the hotel had just been renovated and reopened about two months prior. The hotel was originally a school dating back to 1894, and that theme is prevalent throughout the hotel.

Location

This hotel is in the De Pijp neighborhood of Amsterdam, just outside the main city center. We found it super easy to transit around, and the neighborhood is bustling with more locals than tourists.

Parking

Parking is available at a cost of 60 Euros per night, and valet service is included.

Room – Junior Suite, 1 King

The college theme was apparent when I arrived at our room, even in the hallway. The carpet had some faux paint stains, and artwork on the wall had been “vandalized.” Our room number was also shown as a simple math problem!

Walking into our suite, we were very excited to see it spread out over two floors!

To the left is a huge wardrobe with our usual suspects, including some very comfortable robes and slippers. There is also a steamer in the drawer, which is super handy.

The bathroom is to the right and has a functional pocket door leading to a visually appealing design.

We found the paper products quite rough compared to other Autograph Collection hotels we’ve stayed at, like Mount Juliet Estate. I assume this was due to the hotel’s eco-conscious initiative.

Marie-Stella-Marie provided the amenities, and I loved the motion-sensing lights underneath the sink. The shower had the Marriott Standard rainfall and handheld shower heads.

Moving out of the bathroom, you’ll see the lovely main sitting area and find the full-length mirror, which was Danny approved!

The mini fridge and coffee station are just to the left of the living room and are fully stocked. As is the European standard, all the snacks were included, even beer!

The main room has a small sitting area and table with some room information, a large TV, and lots of natural light. Another easter egg was a game of x’s and o’s that had been “scratched” into the table.

The stairs to the bedroom are beautifully designed and feature a similar motion-sensitive technology to the bathroom.

The school theme continues, as the headboard has been ‘graffitied’ and element composition models are on the carpet. It’s similar to the theme of JW Marriott Phu Quoc but as a hotel rather than a resort.

Attention to detail was also prevalent at this hotel. The housekeeping staff left a personalized note on the bed.

The bedside tables featured more evidence of the vandalism, chargers, and a phone with the room number and my name.

The bedroom had tons of natural light, and being the middle of summer, the sunset didn’t start in Amsterdam until 10:00 p.m. The skylight had a remote that was easy to use and essential if you wanted a dark room before 11:00 p.m.

At the foot end of the bed, there was a TV that we didn’t use, but it swiveled to customize for the perfect viewing angle.

Restaurants

Mondi – Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Breakfast

As with most hotels in Europe, the College Hotel has a very small footprint, so there’s only one restaurant on site. According to staff, the restaurant is very popular with locals, so reservations are compulsory during busy times. 

Mondi serves Caribbean cuisine, which we didn’t get to sample because we wanted to maximize our short stay in Amsterdam.

The complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Elite breakfast was lovely, though, and the restaurant serves high tea if you want to indulge.

When we arrived at breakfast, no one greeted us, which was strange. We meandered around tables, unsure of where to start until a staff member greeted us.

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members and above are able to select an a la carte item and enjoy the light buffet offering. 

Here are the menu choices:

We ordered two cappuccinos, the eggs royale, and french toast.

The buffet included the usual European classics and a “hazelnut spread fountain,” which was a Nutella lover’s dream.

Facilities

The College Hotel Amsterdam doesn’t offer a spa, pool, or gym as it’s located in a historical building, and space is limited. But that’s also a benefit, as exploring the hotel grounds is a treat. I recommend taking the stairs at least once during your stay to find some more hidden easter eggs.

Conclusion

The College Hotel Amsterdam is a fun place to stay in the city and get an authentic feel for how the locals live. Customer service is generally excellent, and high-level Marriott Elite members enjoy a fantastic breakfast benefit.

The only thing that could be improved is the Bonvoy point redemption rate, but everything else is fantastic!