Hotel The Exchange 

The entrance on Damrak is a little obscure, and walking down the narrow hallway behind a coffee shop to reach reception left us unsure of what to expect—but once inside, the experience was a pleasant surprise. We encountered three different staff members during our stay, and all were genuinely friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The room itself was small, with the bed running wall to wall, meaning there was no space to walk around it—one of us had to climb over the bed to reach the other side. That said, the bed was extremely comfortable, very clean, and well supplied with fresh linen and pillows. A big plus was that the window could be opened, which made a real difference after staying in several stuffy hotel rooms across Europe in winter. The bathroom was compact and basic but exceptionally clean, fully functional, and the shower was excellent. Shampoo/body wash was provided, and we were amused to be told the hairdryer was stored in the safe. The location is outstanding—about a five-minute walk from Centraal Station and within easy walking distance of everything we needed for our two-day stay. With a late flight, we requested a late checkout and were offered midday for free or 1:30 pm for 20% of the nightly rate (about AUD$33), which was well worth it. Luggage storage was secure and flexible, even late into the evening. The hotel spans two adjacent buildings, making access a bit of a maze with lifts and stairs. The lifts are small, typical of older European buildings—fine for us, but worth noting if you’re claustrophobic. Overall, you get exactly what you pay for—and for such a central location in a major European city, this hotel represents exceptional value.