St Christopher's at Winston Hotel

, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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St Christopher's at Winston Hotel

, Amsterdam
2 star

Rooms: 27

Warmoesstraat 125 - Amsterdam - 4361 SH - Netherlands Hotel Website | | (+31) (0)20 623 13 80
226 Traveller

Reviews - St Christopher's at Winston Hotel

1/10
Booking Disaster
Submitted by: steve in 11/10/08
  • Age Group: 31 - 40
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Stag/Hen Party
Myself and a friend booked a total of 23 beds for my stag weekend.

All went well until we were told on our arrival a booking for 15 beds had been cancelled by the hotel. We then spent the afternoon waiting around for a booking manager who still did not come to see us once he was in the hotel.

The hotel claimed they had attempted to take part payment at some time previously (this had NOT happened with my booking made through the same booking site for the additional 8 beds).

The hotel claimed they emailed us, but could NOT confirm that we had received notification of the cancellation. Surely
when cancelling a booking of this size the hotel should attempt to have the client to confirm they are aware there is a problem.

As a result four guests were eventually given a bed (one being a single charged at 140 Euros when the original cost per bed was around 95) and the remaining guests had to move to another hotel which was a considerable taxi journey away.

By the time the party staying in the second hotel got checked in and back to the Winston that was the best part of the first day of my stag weekend gone. Again on the second day taxis had to be booked to get the second part of the group to the Winston, which again wasted half of the Saturday.

On the Sunday, the rest of the party did not come to the Winston due to going to the airport later in the day and the additional taxi costs involved. A morning we had all planned to spend together before leaving but was again ruined trying to contact the rest of the party trying to make arrangements.

All in all, the blunder ruined my stag weekend which had been planned for best part of a year, cost £435 Euros in additional hotel costs plus uncalculated taxi fares.

The hotel will now not respond to any emails regarding this.

As for the hotel the location was OK but the facilites were exteremely basic even for a hostel.
10/10
Awesome, awesome rooms
Submitted by: Heather in 06/11/06
  • Age Group: 18 - 25
  • From: Canada
  • Traveller type: Adventurer
I stayed here for 12 days when I was in Amsterdam. It is so cool. Each room is done by a different artist. They are so well done and some of them are super trippy. I recommend 602 or the Heineken room. If I remember it's 302. Enjoy!
1/10
What a dump!!!
Submitted by: Helen in 01/04/06
  • Age Group: 18 - 25
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Clubber
Filthy, dirty, rude, unhelpful, stoned staff. Avoid like the plague!! There are far better budget hotels in Amsterdam!

Historical Traveller Reviews of St Christopher's at Winston Hotel

Save your reservation number!!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Um can't really write a review because technically I never stayed there. I had a reservation for the weekend but realized going to the airport that I forgot my reservation number. I called the hotel and was told that they couldn't find my reservation but to come anyway...slightly worrying seeing that I had left a credit card number and we were due to land around 11pm. Anyway, got the hotel and faced the same lady that I had spoken to over the phone. Was told that "the hotel is full" and she can't do anything without the reservation number...hello? if the hotel is already full, how is finding my reservation number going to help things? I asked if she could help me find another place to stay, seeing that I was in Amsterdam for all of 1 hour, the mix up was their fault and it was 1am. Nope..had to walk the streets and find a hotel. so my advice is remember your reservation number and maybe call beforehand to confirm again!!!!

Stag Party Heaven

from A TripAdvisor Member
We were in a room of 8 (bunk beds) earlier this year for my Stag Party and for that kind of break, the Winston was spot on. The location was exactly what we wanted and the room was one of the cheapest we could find. We didn't have much to do with the staff and the only problem was that when getting in at about 5am, I had no idea what room I was in and neither did the dazed guy at reception. As a result, he decided to open doors of a few guests so that I could poke my head in and try to remember where I was staying. Sorry! I got there in the end, though.

Definitely wouldn't bring my wife here but for groups of party-goers it's ideal.

Holy Smoke!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
This was the fifth time I have stayed at the Winston and this time stayed for 4 nights. I booked pretty late and ended up in room 209, so I can't really complain about the room, too much. Small room (single use) decorated, by a rather eccentric artist in the stlye of a convant, catholic paintings, small statue, crucifix. Very unusual as my view from the window overlooked the RLD. Saying that can't really fault the accomadation as all I needed was a bed, bathroom and a breakfast, which is what I got for the price I paid (65 euros per night).

I must point out that the rooms in the Winston, are all designed differently by various artist in different themes, which makes the Winston nice alternative, especially as you can view your, potential, choice on their website.

The Hotel Winston does the job!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
This is the second time my husband and have I visited this hotel - the first was for my honeymoon in 1997 and more recently for my husband's belated 40th birthday present. I think the best thing about this hotel is location, location, location. It all depends on what you are in the Dam for. If you are looking for luxury accommodation this this is not the place. If you are looking for somewhere to put your head down and do you know what then it's fine. We spent to days chilling out - which is what we wanted to do. Down side - no tea/coffee facilities in room but you could get a very decent coffee from the bar downstairs. It wasn't too noisy and room (702 - Matisse Art Room) was clean and comfortable and everything worked. The staff were friendly enough. I'd stay there again!

Superb!

from Bod
We have just returned from a 3 day break in Amsterdam. After finding the name of "The Winston" and reading some mixed reviews we booked it. It was fantastic, cheap and very cheerful.
This was my 3rd time in The Dam but my first at the Winston, if I were to go back this would always now be my first choice!
It is not the fanciest place to stay but it was clean, you felt safe and the location was great!
In our party were 3 women in there 20's and 2 in there 40's and all had a fab time!!
On the lower levels the music was load but bearable. (After a visit to some coffee shops and a few beers its not hard to sleep) :)
I would definitely recommend people to stay here.

Not what it used to be

from A TripAdvisor Member
We have stayed here a couple of times now and it is not what it once was. The rooms that used to be fun are now very much in need of a refurbish and were not the cleanist or most comfortable. Carpets were dirty, bedding was full of holes, and the heating was off!! The worst was the smell from the drains in the bathroom and the smell of the toilets in the bar area that greeted you each morning as you entered the breakfast room. Standards have dropped here and the noise levels increased. Suffice to say not a romantic weekend break but if you are on a stag party you will not notice any of the above complaints.

Loved It!!!

from ilona06
Stayed in the "Absolutely Danny" room. Too fun! Location was fabulous. This is not your Holiday Inn Express. Can't beat the location in the red light district. Would definitely stay again.

t come here to sleep!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Let's face it. Why did we come to Amsterdam? During the day, its museums and sightseeing. At night, its the charms of the Red Light District. I was here with my 17 year old son, my brother-in-law and another friend. We had a great time! Was the Winston noisy....yeah, was it plush....no. Did I expect it to be noisy...yes! Did I expect it to be plush....no. Let's face it, this was a spur of the moment trip for my group that was inexpensive and close to the action. The Winston filled the bill. Actually, it fit the bill much better than most American hotels. We had a quad room (four single beds, as oppose to two doubles) with private bath. In my real life I travel extensively on business and stay in some great hotels. I expect creature comforts. Come to the Winston expecting a college dorm. It totally met my expectations. I would recommend it to anyone coming to Amsterdam for the "bachelor party" experience.

Avoid!!!

from Narnia72
Read reviews and thought - we like partying and this hotel looks a bit unusual, so will try it. Big mistake!

We arrived past midnight and as we opened the door, a haze of pot smoke floated out. The night porter was completely stoned and didn't look as though he had had a wash for about 10 weeks.

He demanded we paid upfront for all 3 nights - before even seeing the room. We were tired from travelling and so therefore agreed, but I would suggest you agree only to pay for the first night to check it out before you stay any longer!

We had booked the Timberland room (602). It is a reasonable size, but painted very red (fun for about 5 minutes, then it gives you a headache) and the orange fluorescent lighting is horrible. But the real piece de resistence is the illuminated picture above the bed, which is of legs wearing timberland boots, with a pair of ears grafted onto each leg and long hair growing down them. Pretty unappealing stuff...

The bed is the lumpiest bed I've ever slept on, and is shoved up against the wall, which means if there are 2 people sleeping there, one has to climb over the other to get out.

The bathroom was reasonable - quite a good shower area, however, we were told not to have too long a shower, else we would set the fire alarm off.

We went down to breakfast at 2 minutes to ten (it finished at 10). There was an extremely unfriendly notice on the door saying doors would be closed at 9.50 am. We tried to get a cup of tea, but they turned the machine off at the socket. The rudest waitress I've ever had the misfortune to encounter basically told us to get out. When we complained about her attitude (I had to remind myself we'd actually paid to stay here), we were told that there had been many complaints about her behaviour, but she said everyone was rude to her. No apology, of course!

The breakfast - when we made it down the second day at an earlier hour - was basic but fine. Hot rolls and hot boiled eggs (if you got them as soon as they came out of the kitchen), standard ham, cheese etc (fresh rather than pre-packed) - but lousy orange juice made from powder. However, they didn't seem to object if you took it back up to your room. We preferred this, as the breakfast room was like a classroom you had to camp out in.

The second day we came back to our room in the evening to find the master key in the lock. No idea how long it had been there and luckily nothing was taken, but again when we went to complain they just laughed it off.

On the final day we were basically "encouraged to leave" on the dot of 11am - they even sent someone up at 10.55 to make sure we were going.

We paid 89 euros a night for b&b (for 2 people). We then met someone who recommended the Hotel Nieuwe Amsterdam - rates from 90-130 euros (I think). We went to check it out and it was much, much nicer - will be trying it on our next trip to Amsterdam.

My opinion of the hotel winston is - if you're looking for a cheap place and you are basically going to use the room for drunken slumber, then it's ok. It's well situated (just off dam square) and the road is well-lit and - despite its proximity to the red light district - safe to walk down late at night. However, if you want to spend any time in your room at all (and when it's -2 in November, you do need to come in from the cold occasionally), go somewhere more user-friendly, who actually welcomes their guests rather than making them feel an inconvenience.

2 places to definitely recommend though - the 5 flies restaurant - lousy name, best meal I've ever had (go for the chef's menu - 5 courses at 44€ - worth every penny) and boom chicago - a improv comedy club that is absolutely fantastic. They will also give you info on good places to go and do a great boat trip.

Avoid it if you can!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Although I accept that people like going to Amsterdam for some fun and partying, and it tends to be noisy, what you encounter at the Hotel Winston is far too much. The place is extremelly noisy. We had three nights of terrible banging noise from the club and bar as well as the constant slaming of doors.
The rooms are dirty and tatty. They have done little to keep them in good condition. The carpets are particularly filthy, as are the toilets and walls. In our room the plug socket was hanging of the wall.
Certain members of the reception staff were rude and unhelpful. They made a mistake and gave away to someone else the specific room we had booked several months before. When we complained, they did nothing to repair their own acting and were rude.
If you do not care about where you sleep and do not mind to stay in a dirty, decadent and depressing place, then go to the Hotel Winston.

Top Local Tips for Amsterdam

The Hermitage Find out what is there since they have a rotating exhibit. It may be showing something not of your main interest as when I went. The S-x Museum is overrated, but might be good to kill an hour or so.

VVV It might be a good idea to book a hotel through VVV (http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/default.aspx). They were very helpful and found us a place to stay not over our budget in a wonderful distict. An office of the Amsterdam Tourist Info can be found just outside the central railway station.

Venture outside the redlight district Amsterdam is famed for the soft drug tolerance and red light district. But please go outside the seedy area and see the rest of the city. It has a completely different vibe! Take the free tour by Sandman for a great introduction to all this city has to offer.

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Other names for St Christopher's at Winston Hotel

  • winston hotel amsterdam
  • hotel winston
  • hotel st christophers at winston
  • Address: Warmoesstraat 125 - Amsterdam - 4361 SH - Netherlands
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