Located on a tree-lined road in an industrial suburb, Ibis Amsterdam City West resembles a rectangular 10-story cube, with a facade that alternates between black and white in a blocky, pixilated pattern. Its floor-to-ceiling windows flood the lobby with natural light, which contributes to its cheery ambience. While similar to other hotels in the Ibis chain, this one breaks the mold a bit by mixing a bright color palette of orange, gray, and neon green with lots of natural wood in the bar and restaurant areas. Thick, concrete pillars seem to pay tribute to its industrial location, but their pleasing colors and playful, stenciled inscriptions turn them into something fun. The spacious lobby bar, with a small, adjacent outdoor patio, provides a pleasant place for guests to meet and mingle. With lower rates than at comparable, central Amsterdam properties, the hotel draws travelers across the spectrum looking to save a bit on hotel costs, or who prefer to avoid the city hubbub.

Ibis Amsterdam City West is located outside of the city center in an industrial area but has excellent transportation links. Bus 22 stops right outside the hotel with direct links to the central train station, Isolatorweb metro station is less than a five-minute walk away, and Sloterdijk train station is a 10- to 15-minute walk. Burger King is next door in the same building, but there are no cafes, shops, or other restaurants in the immediate vicinity. 

• Four-minute walk to Isolatorweb metro station
• 10- to 15-minute walk to Sloterdijk train station 
• 20 minutes to Amsterdam Central Station by public transportation
• 26 minutes to Dam Square by public transportation
• 27 minutes to Anne Frank House by public transportation
• 27 minutes to Royal Palace by public transportation
• 28 minutes to Schiphol Airport by public transportation
• 29 minutes to Jordaan district by public transportation
• 34 minutes to Van Gogh Museum by public transportation
• 34 minutes to Rembrandt House Museum by public transportation
• 35 minutes to the Flower Market by public transportation
• 43 minutes to Heineken Experience by public transportation

Ibis Amsterdam City West's 180 rooms are as compact as dorm rooms, with light-wood furniture and bathrooms that resemble space capsules. Available as Singles, Doubles, and Triples, the rooms can be a tight squeeze for more than two guests, and beds take up most of the space. But decor goes a notch above and breaks the chain mold, with a gray, orange, and beige color palette, and two-tone carpeting. Matching gray, orange, and white graphic panels behind the beds, which have pendant reading lights, are an interesting decorative touch. But the most playful element in rooms is the trompe l'oeil stenciled murals of bookshelves and faux objects surrounding the flat-screen TVs. The tiny capsule bathrooms are fitted with plastic molded sinks and plastic shower stalls, with hairdryers and toiletries provided. Bathrooms also have stencil drawings of bath items along a wall. All rooms include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. 

Ibis Amsterdam City West is low on extra features -- there are no fitness facilities and no meeting rooms. A breakfast buffet of breads, coffee, fruit juice, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and seasonal specials is served daily, but it's not included in the room rates, and it's a bit pricey. Guests have complained that the food is sometimes cold and not replenished. The restaurant serves an a la carte dinner menu. The hotel also has a trendy-looking bar, and a small 24-hour snack bar, with a microwave and outdoor patio. Other services include bicycles for rent, a safe deposit box at reception, and public computers for guests' use. On-site indoor and outdoor parking is available and is free on the weekends. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.