Guest Book 2015

Lorenzo R, Dec 2015

Positive Experiences: B&B Amsterdam West was a highlight of our days in Amsterdam. Rhalf and Kitty offer a relaxed and hospitable stay, something that really makes a part of your days in the city - and maybe contribute to understand it better. The house is very well furnished and newly refurbished, we didn't have any problems with any of the facilities. The room was tidied up with the utmost care every morning - even our small baby noticed that her new Artis zoo puppet had been put to sleep after we left. Breakfast is abundant and consumed in a friendly and cozy atmosphere, in which you really feel at home - something rare nowadays in B&Bs. The house is outside the centre but very well connected to practically anywhere in the city. The rooms are just on a canal bank, so you can even row to the city centre in the summer, and ducks come to your window to be fed. I have a decent experience in B&Bs and I cannot recommend it enough Amsterdam West - actually it made me wish I could start my own B&B!

Candy Scott and Ann Kelly, Nov 2015

Positive Experiences
The owners were so welcoming and helpful. They couldn't do enough to make us feel welcome and at home.
The breakfasts were also wonderful, we enjoyed all we had to eat.
They gave us some great tips on where to go to visit and eat. Only wish we had spent a little more time as so much to see and do.
The accomodation was so interesting, as were Rhalf and Kitty. The bed was so comfortable, everything had been very well thought out for a great stay. Loved the ducks too.

For improvement
Don't think they could improve on anything, highly recommend.

Danielle G, Oct 2015

Positive Experiences: We stayed 3 nights on our way to London. Ralph and Kitty are amazing and made our stay extra special. When we arrived we were welcomed even though it was before check in time. Ralph gave us a map of Amsterdam and explained all the ins and outs of Amsterdam which was very helpful. The rooms were clean and very comfortable, Breakfast was delicious. I would definitely recommend this little Gem in Amsterdam.

Ortlieb5, Oct 2015

Positive Experiences:We had such a great experience visiting Amsterdam due to Killy and Rhalf. The information about their city, about biking in Amsterdam and the care they give you is so valuable. We highly recommend taking the bike tour with Rhalf. He was so informative and after taking the tour you will have no trouble biking in Amsterdam
Don't take a cab from it to the airport as the price Kitty charges cannot be beaten.

Room Tip: One room has door access to the canal where you can hand feed the ducks, Bonnie and Clyde.

Sarah, Oct 2015

+ The owner is very helpful. We did not plan any itinerary at Amsterdam, the owner give us recommendation on what to do, where to go and what to eat. He even go all out to help us buy the travel card. The room is very spacious and clean. The breakfast is delicious.

Courtney Yeh, Oct 2015

+ For anyone who is planning on a short/long-term stay, B&B Amsterdam West is a place you can't miss! Rhalf & Kitty have been extremely friendly helpful, your best city guide to know more about Amsterdam! The house is clean, the room is spacious, tidy, along with tea,coffee, fresh fruits, and sweets provided for guests to enjoy! The breakfast is as good as you can possibily imagine! This is indeed a wonderful experience again, thank you Rhalf and Kitty for making my 2nd visit this unforgettable!:)

Emily, Sept 2015

+ Perfect - friendly hosts, lovely room, great location - would love to stay again.

Wilson Chang, Sept 2015

+ Rhalf and Kitty were super helpful since the beginning. We received a confirmation/welcome email just a day or two after the booking with much helpful information necessary for the stay. When we arrived, they made sure their guests feel at home. Rhalf gave us a very thorough introduction of the house and the city center. Breakfast was amazing! And needless to say, the view to the canal was just priceless. We had a such great stay with Rhalf and Kitty, and we highly recommend this place!! :)

- None

John Martinek, Sept 2015

+ Convenient location to tram #13. Pleasant, spacious rooms. Fabulous breakfasts. Great hosts with enjoyable conversations.

Dozza M, Sept 2015

Positive Experiences: The b&b is located in suburban neighbourhood with easy assess public transport to the city. Our hosts Rhalf and Kitty were extremely helpful and went above and beyond. They also let us use the washing machine and dryer. The place was very clean and comfortable, made us homely atmosphere. The breakfast was delicious with selection of cold meat, cheese, breads and local Dutch delights. We parked our car in front of the house, there is no trouble at all. Overall, we had a very relaxed stay and would recommend it to others.

Helen Stirrup, Sept 2015

+ Kitty gave us a warm welcome and invited us into her kitchen where she made us tea and coffee. She explained how bed & breakfast worked in Holland and gave us a great overview of transport, places of interest, places to eat and where to avoid. She then showed us to our room and explained how everything worked - toilet, shower, windows, how the ducks liked to be fed!!

Breakfast was lovely and we enjoyed Kitty & Ralph's company each morning. They made us feel like old friends. The whole experience was amazing and we would definitely return. We hired bikes one day and Ralph accompanied us to the local park entrance. A wonderful experience - thank you

Charlotte, Sept 2015

+ It is a little bit further from the city but public transport is right by the accommodation and really easy to use to all the main areas.

- It is a little bit further from the city but public transport is right by the accommodation and really easy to use to all the main areas.

Iaanslattery, Aug 2015

Positive Experiences: I had a wonderful week here with my wife, I couldn't recommend the place more. The owners are charming and friendly, the breakfast fantastic, the room homely with a lovely canal side view.

I'd particularly recommend hiring Rhalf's bikes as often as possible, not only because it's the best way to tour the city but because they are customised, stylish beasts - far cooler, more comfortable and easier to ride than the usual city-centre hire fare. Plus he's a bike expert so any problems are sorted immediately including, as i found, help and advice with your own bikes back home!

There's plenty of other positives - the sauna, canoe hire, maps, fridge, expresso machine, the list goes on - which are mentioned in more detail in other reviews.

So thanks Rhalf and Kitty, we'll certainly be returning before too long!

Room Tip: Room with patio access means seats outside, canal-side, with local wildlife a bonus

Monique Slattery, August 2015

+ B and b Amsterdam west is a lovely place, during our stay we felt at home. Our lovely and informative hosts were friendly and welcoming. This added so much to the peasantry of our stay in Amsterdam. I have recommended the b and b to my friends and am planning on revisiting in the future.

- There would be nothing that I wold change! It was the perfect place for us.

Artem, August 2015

+ By Amsterdam's standarts the price is good and the price/quality is outstanding. The host Rhalf was very friendly, understanding and forthcoming; he did an amazing job running B&B Amsterdam West.

- I honestly could not wish for anything more while staying there, thank you so much again!

Chloelouisexo, Aug 2015

Positive Experiences: Me and my partner have just returned from our week long holiday to Amsterdam. We stayed here for the entire week, and I'm so glad that we did!
Finding the B&B is pretty simple, we printed out the directions and train info to help us, and we arrived without getting lost once!
Upon arrival we were greeted by Rhalf, we didn't get to meet Kitty unfortunately but I'm sure she is just as awesome.
The home is beautifully decorated, we were impressed with the record players and huge vinyl collection.
Rhalf was very welcoming, he offered us a drink and we all sat at the table with a map.
gave us a really good, in depth talk about getting around and places we might like to visit. He marked everything on the map for us. After this we were shown to our room.
The rooms are down stairs on the canal, they also have their own separate entrance from the house, which I thought was amazing. We were given room 2 (no door to the canal) for the first 2 nights and then we were put in room 1 (doors open up onto canal) which I thought was really nice because I'm a smoker. Before you get into the rooms there is a small kitchenette, with a fridge with bottles of water to drink, microwave and a coffee maker, we made use of all of these :)
There is a shared toilet and bathroom. The bathroom has a big shower, double sinks, a sauna and a set of drawers filled with towels, hair dryers and toiletries that you may have forgotten (razors etc) AWESOME IDEA!
We used the sauna one day, I recommend giving it a go. Rhalf told us how to use it and afterwards we felt so good!
The rooms are good sized, the decor is wonderful, both rooms have a bike on the wall that are just beautiful and I believe made by Rhalf? The beds are Queen Size and SUPER comfy. There is also a sink, mirror, cutlery, soaps, towels, shower gels, fruit, chocolates, coffee, books, magazines, fan, hangers, teapot, storage space. Basically everything you could ever need in a room, and if it wasn't there you just had to ask :)
We had breakfast every morning upstairs. Rhalf made sure we had full bellies! There is so much to choose from, warm fresh bread rolls and pastries, fresh fruits, boiled or scrambled eggs, cereals, Preservatives, crackers, biscuits and my new favourite foods, Hagelslag (sprinkles that you put on buttered bread) and Poffetjes (tiny fluffy pancakes) THESE WERE SO DELICIOUS!
We also got coffee, tea, juices etc
At breakfast Rhalf would ask us about our schedule, he would always give us advice on places to visit, like the greatest record store ever!
The conversation was always flowing and fun.
The tram to centraal station is a 3 minute walk from the B&B and it takes around 15 minutes to get there. They run pretty frequently.
After our days out we would always return to a lovely clean room, not that we left it in a mess!
There are 2 ducks that live outside and I really liked them! Rhalf left me some food to feed them in the mornings which I loved doing, they were the cutest things. He also has 2 cats, Han and Obi (coolest cat names ever) they stay upstairs

I don't know what else I can add. We have never stayed anywhere and been this happy, we usually stay at the Hilton when we travel. I think we'll be doing B&Bs from now on.
Rhalf is an amazing person and has so much knowledge and is genuinely
cool!  We will be staying here everytime we return to Amsterdam!
If you want to book here I would do it in advance as they fill up really quickly.
You have to stay here if you go to Amsterdam!!!!

Alexander Chelyshev, July 2015

+ This is absolutely great place to stay in Amsterdam, you've got clean, comfortable, well designed room, nice owners who will cook tasty breakfast for you and you may have a nice chat with them while eating. Very pleasant and easy going people who offer great place to stay. Great parksin Nieu West and tram stop around the corner, but you can have a nice walk to center with no rush to clear your mind and see Amsterdam while walking.

- I can only suggest put some small carpet near the bed as floor is quite cold in the morning.

markpugson, July 2015

Location:

This B&B is approximately 20-25minute tram ride from the city centre. The tram stop is a 1 minute walk from the front door! Really couldnt be easier to get into the city. The metro/subway/tube/MTR/MRT also stops right next to the tram stop.

Amenities:
We didnt utilise these as we would buy from the city and bring it back. There are several supermarkets on the way back from the city that are next to tram stops making food pickup very easy. We were informed that there are restaurants very close-by.
We were also told that there was a large lake with water sports very nearby too, but we didnt see this unfortunately.

The rooms/building:
Really nice house with a secluded area of guest rooms means you didnt feel like you were in the way of the owners. Overlooks the canal which is relatively quiet apart from the off boat. We had the right hand room (didnt have a door onto the patio on the canal).
The room was good sized and came with everything that we would need. Also had a little stand with chocolates/tea/fruit/etc that was topped up daily.
There was a good table to eat dinner on, and a sink in the room too. Ample amounts of space to store your belongings.
The owners also cleaned the room each day and tidied - bit of a shock the first time as I have never had this quality of care in a B&B.
The upstairs area where breakfast was held was very nice, again overlooking the canal, and very open.
Wifi is free and is fast - easily able to stream tv etc.

The Initial Meeting:
Finding the B&B was slightly difficult, but if you check it on googlemaps before going, you will find it easily.
The owners gave us a map and sat down with us talking through everything we needed to know about Amsterdam, but not to the point of boredom! We are huge planners and had every day planned out, but we still managed to go to see 90% of the attractions that we were informed about. The owners drew on routes of trams, tram stops, all the areas of the city including shopping areas, expensive shopping areas, bar areas, red light district, different historical areas and their relevance, sight seeing areas, etc. This was the most useful part of the whole stay and was much appreciated!

Breakfast:
Breakfast was served generally at whatever time you requested, however we ate at 9am. There was all sorts of pastries, different types of bread, pancakes, eggs, some cereal (choice of 3), juices, tea, coffee. Easily enough to fill up before heading out for your daily activities.

Comfort:
The room as said was very comfortable. Bed was good sized for two, and came with enough pillows and duvet covers (we went in summer). There is a great showed and a sauna too if needed.
The guest kitchen contains a fridge with refillable bottled water, kettle, coffee machine and microwave, but the owners said if we needed anything that needed an oven, we could just pop up which was great.

Extras:
The owners do pick up and drop off from the airport for a small fee. They were very kind to say instead of putting down the deposit for the keys of I believe 50 euros, they would just make this payable at the end of the stay if you lost the keys. This was very helpful as we budgeted to the T and didnt have enough to pay for this unless we took out more money.

Last notes:
If you are travelling to the airport via the metro/subway/etc and busses, I would strongly recommend taking the owners offer of a lift. It took us 45 minutes at 7am to get to the airport, and costed the same amount as the airport bus ran on a different travelcard.
The owners are lovely people and strike the right balance in terms of staying away, and helping out. I have had some that are always in your face, and some that seem like they just dont care.
I wouldnt hesitate to stay here again if I visited Amsterdam.