First impressions were of a stylish reception/lounge/bar area. Wooden floors, subtle decor in cream, white, and a sort of grey/khaki colour. Leather sofas, a raised bar (open until 1am, a blissful discovery for two thirsty travellers who arrived at midnight) area and extra decoration provided by the displays of white tulips dotted around the place. Sublime.
The room itself was small but, like the rest of the hotel, simply and stylishly decorated. The bed was incredibly comfortable with just the sort of softness you wanted to ease weary feet and legs after strolling round the city.
Breakfast is continental – breads, cheeses, meat, eggs, cereals – but very tasty and served in an attractive breakfast room just slightly below street level. Sit in the window and you can watch the bottom of people’s legs – and the whole of small dogs – walk past!
The location is great, on a quiet residential street with a park opposite. Okay, so you are not particularly in the centre of things – it is a fair hike or a 15-minute tram ride to Dam Square and Centraal Station – however you are just round the corner from the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum, a short-ish walk across Singelgracht to the Leidseplein and very close to Vondelpark. It is blissfully quiet – another aid to a good night’s sleep – although occasionally we could hear latecomers or early risers heading up and down the wooden stairs in the hotel.
As for the staff, well, they were great. Friendly, helpful, efficient, and another credit to the hotel.
You’ll probably have guessed that I rather enjoyed our stay at Piet Hein! I did and I would certainly go back. Very, very recommended!