I am hoping we can compile a good list here of discreet hotels in Amsterdam (and other cities in the Netherlands).

The scenario that I want to avoid is bringing a lady to the hotel, and having the reception make you sign her in as a guest, or staring at you as you enter, etc. I know it may not seem like a big deal, but I think entering a hotel without such awkwardness and discomfort is important in setting a nice tone for an evening with someone you don’t know.

Unfortunately, lots of nice hotels (especially small boutique hotels) are constructed such that you can’t enter without walking right by reception and attracting unwanted attention.

So what are some good hotels which have large/busy lobbies, or private entrances, etc.?

Thanks.

Hi,

Good call. The Ibis hotel by Centraal station is spot on for this, plus it is close to both de Wallen and Singel RLDs.

Awkwardness is the most that can happen, right? Since prostitution is legal in Amsterdam they won't turn away an obvious escort? I plan on getting a room for myself only and then inviting a lady friend over, rather than booking a place for 2 of us since the session won't even last the full day.

Yes, certainly compared to countries where prostitution is illegal, hotels have less issue with guests coming in. In Morocco, for example, the hotel security stand by the lifts 24 hours a day and monitor every single person entering.

Nevertheless, some hotels could get shirty with guests coming in if you have paid for 1 person and they have a slightly higher rate for 2 people (most hotels have a very slightly higher price for double occupancy).

My take is that very few hotels will care, firstly because the difference in rate between 1 and 2 people is tiny. Secondly, they'd probably assume the guest is a short stay rather than an overnight.

If you are worried about the awkwardness, you do indeed need a hotel with a large lobby or one that is busy. Bigger hotels such as Movenpick, Ibis and Hilton near central station, Krasnapolsky and Renaissance would all not even notice. But it depends what your budget is - the hotels I've mentioned (possibly excepting Ibis) can be fairly expensive.

Yes, Ibis (and the nearby Ibis Styles) by Centraal station are ideal for this. Plenty cheap enough and no issue with reception when guests accompany you to your room. You may wish to book a double room for single occupancy, as their single rooms often only have a single bed...

Generally not a problem but be aware that security (or “hotel detectives” back in the old days) at larger hotels, in particular, are capable of being nosey. Be ready with your story. If you’re seeing an escort who appears to be half your age, or less, prying eyes might start wondering about the relationship. I generally tell an escort in advance when I’m going to dress casually. That is typically a hint to her that she doesn’t have to dress to the nines.

If you have a laptop bag slung over your shoulder or you’re carrying a briefcase, you can play the part of traveling businessman or being her financial advisor. Marriott has gotten a reputation for training its employees to look for signs of potential human trafficking in this day and age. If the lady is not staying with you overnight, then the odds of any nosey behavior toward you/her are likely to be lower. North American major cities have more security presence near elevators, for instance, than what I’ve encountered in Europe. The European attitude I’m used to seeing is that they are quite hospitable towards their guests.

In my opinion, and having stayed in several of the larger hotels in Amsterdam in recent years, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Nobody will even bat an eyelid and they often don't know who is supposed to be staying in the hotel (due to staff shift changes etc). More often than not the lobby area is sufficiently large and / or busy that you wont even be noticed.

Thanks for the recommendations.

I've found the typical 3-star or 4-star chain hotels are fine for escort visits, and it's not unusual to see adverts for escorts in the back of the hotel magazines they leave in the rooms. A small family-run or boutique hotel might be a bit more awkward, but for the bigger chain hotels it would be unusual to have a policy of no escorts (which would be difficult to enforce in any case). I quite often book a room for two even when I'm travelling solo, just out of habit (I don't want a single bed if a girl is going to be visiting me for sex). Room prices are normally for the room, not per person, so it makes no real difference to the price when I want a double room anyway. In theory I could insist a girl visiting is the second guest I've paid for, but it's never come up as an issue.

There are too many people and too many different shifts on reception for hotel staff to be sure who is a guest, and if you have a "friend" visit your room for an hour or two, it's not really the hotel's business unless they are staying the night. Even then, assuming it's a double room which is officially for two persons, all they can really ask is that your companion signs in at reception; you don't have to specify that the girl is an escort. It's very unlikely you would be challenged if you walk in with an attractive young woman, the staff won't really be interested or surprised.

I've had regular visits from a couple of independent escorts over the years, they've never really had any issues coming to a hotel, I'd give them my room number and they wouldn't normally bother speaking to anyone at reception. The main thing is that in some hotels you can't get all the way to the rooms without a keycard (for example the doors to the corridors, or occasionally the lift itself, might be keycard activated). In that case I just wait in the lobby for them. Never had any issues walking in to the hotel with a girl when I've checked in alone.

I've watched a stunning babe sign-in with reception at one hotel (I think it was one of the Westcord ones) and it all looked routine. The girls themselves will be familiar with a lot of the hotels and it's part of their job to know all the ins and outs of hotel visits - a friend who worked as an independent escort for a while said she rarely had any issues, except for the occasional receptionist with a snooty attitude.

In terms of escort-friendly hotels, it would be easier to note the exceptions where people have actually had problems. I can't personally think of any "escort-unfriendly" hotels I've encountered in Amsterdam