Amstel or Le Grand?

[NorthernLass]

Two IHG free night certificates are now burning a hole in my account and I’m thinking of using them for an anniversary city break next spring. I fancy Paris or Amsterdam (both of which we have visited previously) as I’d prefer a direct flight under 2 hours from MAN or LPL. The free night cert can be used for premium rooms at the Amstel but Le Grand looks to have gorgeous public spaces so I can’t decide!

*We like food, culture, history and sightseeing so either city will do very nicely, I’d appreciate opinions on the hotel experience!

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Le Grand has mice. It’s commented on regularly in reviews. I cancelled an intern rate stay on the basis of the mice issue. Amstel was wonderful when I stayed on a free night up to the point when the Netherlands mandated EU vax QR codes (despite the UK vax app being demonstrably the same thing, the Dutch would not budge on non-EU QR codes) on my 2nd day and I returned to the Amstel to be refused entry by the security guard at the front steps. I was eventually permitted entry when I suggested I’d stand outside while he went to my room and packed my dirty undies in my case for me.

[NorthernLass]

Thanks, @BWS. Do the mice have to pay 150 euros to use the lounge though?!

The IC Bordeaux look amazing but there are only limited direct flights from the north which may not fit with our travel dates. Ditto Lyon, but I don’t think there are any direct flights these days.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Yes agree with both, although the Bordeaux pool looks a bit creepy with the dark stone and big red curtains hovering over it. It’s how I imagine the Rees Mogg kids were bathed by nanny.

[NorthernLass]

Well, I had thought it looked rather sexy in the pictures, but I don’t now 🤦‍♀️😂

But back to these mice, are they not more likely to be spotted in Old Amsterdam?!

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

NorthernLass wrote:

Well, I had thought it looked rather sexy in the pictures, but I don’t now 🤦‍♀️😂

But back to these mice, are they not more likely to be spotted in Old Amsterdam?!

Har har, I know many thought I over-reacted to my recent mouse encounter at the KLM Schiphol lounge. I stand by my hardline stance on the basis of the lounge being a place of unattended self serve food.

[Lady London]

paging @Harry T… he loves the Amstel and has stayed quite a few times there I think – you could search his posts on here

Also wasn’t there something on Amsterdam only wanting well behaved visitors now?

[Lady London]

NorthernLass wrote:

Thanks, @BWS. Do the mice have to pay 150 euros to use the lounge though?!

The IC Bordeaux look amazing but there are only limited direct flights from the north which may not fit with our travel dates. Ditto Lyon, but I don’t think there are any direct flights these days.

Lyon has a very fast train from Paris, from London I’d do Eurostar then change to it – probably the whole journey in 4 hours if you wanted to. Trenitalia has also just started on that route from Paris as competition with SNCF with some very nice fares

Several of the LCC’s do Bordeaux I think and at most times of the year I’d prefer Bordeaux to Lyon for a weekend. Very proximate to some of the world’s best vineyards.

[Andrew J]

NorthernLass wrote:

Thanks, @BWS. Do the mice have to pay 150 euros to use the lounge though?!

The IC Bordeaux look amazing but there are only limited direct flights from the north which may not fit with our travel dates. Ditto Lyon, but I don’t think there are any direct flights these days.

BA fly direct to Lyon 3 times a day from LHR. Unfortunately they’ve switched from T3 to T5 though so you’ll be stuck with the dreaded Galleries Club before your flight.

[George K]

Le Grand having mice is news to us – we had an excellent stay in February on an intern rate and upgraded to a lovely suite and free breakfast (Diamond Ambassador really shone through). The property is certainly ‘grand’ – opulence abounds – but I can’t do an Amstel comparison as I’ve never been there. All I can say is that I’d gladly go back to the Le Grand!

[Supergers49]

If you are going to book a basic room with the voucher, then I do not see any material difference between the hotel and I would make the decision solely based on which city you’d like to see.

However, if you want a lounge, are bothered about the breakfast, spending time in the hotel, or upgrading rooms… then Le Grand pips it for me.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

I’m sure I read in the Amstel thread in the IHG board on flyer talk that it’s being refurbished at the moment so something you might want to check.

[NorthernLass]

Yes, Rob mentions it in his review from last year – I’ll check it out as these things can drag on and on as in the current IC Rome saga!

[JDB]

@BlairWaldorfSalad if you won’t visit hotels or airports that have mice, rats, cockroaches etc. your travel options are extremely limited and would exclude most big cities, particularly in the US (most notably NYC) as well as any hotel in the countryside. These creatures can be kept down but not eradicated, even by top hotels, and even if you don’t spot them or think they’re not there, another guest will see them.

[NorthernLass]

Thanks all – the only travel option I’ll willing to consider for such a short trip is a direct flight from MAN or LPL! Not even being BA Silver would make it worth connecting anywhere, lol.

@Supergers49 – I mentioned in my post that the Amstel lets you book a variety of rooms with the free night voucher which is why I’m leaning that way!

[NorthernLass]

And if the Amstel – would you go for a Queen Classic River View or King Premium City View?!

[George K]

Having stayed in a canal-side room in Amsterdam before (at the Apollo), I’d go for that again in a heartbeat. You can get city views anywhere else 🙂 There’s always something special when overlooking water, I think…

[BJ]

I hope the mice at Le Grande are immigrants from Curio Westminster…

Yes, poor @Harry T and his OH no longer welcome at the Amstel…did they let you in Harry, I recall you were going this weekend?

[Lady London]

George K wrote:

Le Grand having mice is news to us – we had an excellent stay in February on an intern rate and upgraded to a lovely suite and free breakfast (Diamond Ambassador really shone through). The property is certainly ‘grand’ – opulence abounds – but I can’t do an Amstel comparison as I’ve never been there. All I can say is that I’d gladly go back to the Le Grand!

What is the breakfast at Le Grand GeorgeK? is it something like coffee and croissants at the Café de la Paix or do they give Ambassadors or Diamonds à la carte?

[qc]

Supergers49 wrote:

If you are going to book a basic room with the voucher, then I do not see any material difference between the hotel and I would make the decision solely based on which city you’d like to see.

However, if you want a lounge, are bothered about the breakfast, spending time in the hotel, or upgrading rooms… then Le Grand pips it for me.

There’s a world of difference between a basic room at Le Grand and the Amstel!

[George K]

Lady London wrote:

George K wrote:

Le Grand having mice is news to us – we had an excellent stay in February on an intern rate and upgraded to a lovely suite and free breakfast (Diamond Ambassador really shone through). The property is certainly ‘grand’ – opulence abounds – but I can’t do an Amstel comparison as I’ve never been there. All I can say is that I’d gladly go back to the Le Grand!

What is the breakfast at Le Grand GeorgeK? is it something like coffee and croissants at the Café de la Paix or do they give Ambassadors or Diamonds à la carte?

We got full breakfast which was basically an extensive buffet (they cater for a lot of nationalities so you’ll see some Asian and Middle Eastern options on offer there too) If there was an a la carte option, we didn’t use it! Options and quality were good enough. No complaints.

[slidey]

Amstel is much better than le grand in every way other than the building imo. Breakfast is much better, rooms bigger (upgraded le grand room is still small) and it just had a nicer feel.

Le grand service was kindof poor, checkin was half arsed, breakfast service was bad (didnt bother replenishing things for ages) but the hotel is pretty.

[Supergers49]

NorthernLass wrote:

I mentioned in my post that the Amstel lets you book a variety of rooms with the free night voucher which is why I’m leaning that way!

Ohhh… I didn’t know that. Apologies I missed it.

[NorthernLass]

Lol, perhaps we should keep it quiet in case it’s an intern rate!

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

AMB weekend rate has always offered a range of rooms to select from from the most basic to the presidential suite.

It’s not an “intern” rate.