Sir Albert Hotel, Part Of Sircle Collection

Everything about this hotel feels like a carefully constructed facade that masks a surprisingly mediocre experience. Upon arrival, I was assigned a room on the third floor that was uncomfortably warm. I assumed the issue would resolve itself once I turned on the air conditioning, but it never did. After raising the issue multiple times over two nights with no meaningful resolution, I finally gave the hotel an ultimatum: either move me to a different room or I would leave. In hindsight, I should have simply checked out. To be clear, the staff themselves were welcoming, professional, and accommodating throughout my stay. My frustrations are directed at the property and its management decisions, not the employees, who consistently tried to be helpful. The facade extends to the hotel's restaurant, Izayaki, located on the lower level. It aims for a trendy, upscale atmosphere with bouncers at the entrance, loud lo-fi EDM music, and sharply dressed staff. While the food is actually quite good, the overall vibe feels out of place when all you want is a relaxing drink in your own hotel after a long day of work. What ultimately motivated me to write this review was the fitness center. The hotel's marketing materials make it appear as though there is a well-equipped gym on-site. In reality, the fitness facility is located about 100 meters away in what is essentially a private personal training studio. The equipment is indeed high quality, but during my visit the fitness center owners were actively conducting training sessions with clients. I felt as though I was intruding on their business rather than using a hotel amenity, so I chose to leave rather than disrupt their sessions. The sleeping experience was equally disappointing. From appearances alone, the beds seem inviting, with quality linens and a substantial down comforter. Once the air conditioning was finally functioning, I expected a comfortable night's sleep. Instead, I found the mattress to be lumpy and worn. Taken together, these issues point to a property that presents itself as something far more luxurious than it actually is. The building shows signs of neglect, many of the advertised amenities fail to meet expectations, and the overall experience does not justify the premium price tag. I'm genuinely surprised that Marriott is affiliated with this hotel. I've stayed at other properties in the area, including the Apollo Hotel just down the road, and found them to be significantly better while costing nearly half as much. If you're planning to get around by bicycle anyway, there is simply no reason to pay the premium to stay here. As a final hidden surprise, the hotel sits directly adjacent to the windows of Amsterdam's Red Light District. This may be particularly unexpected for visitors who choose De Pijp because of its reputation as a vibrant but largely residential neighborhood, and who intentionally avoid staying near the more tourist-heavy red-light areas in the city center. Whether that's a positive or negative is entirely up to you, but it's worth knowing before you book.