Sometimes on a road trip, you stumble upon a hotel like Amsterdam Inn & Suites and it’s a godsend. That’s what happened to my husband and myself heading from Quebec to Fredericton, New Brunswick.
We had taken the ferry across the St. Lawrence River from St. Simeon, Quebec to Rivière-du-Loup early that morning. By the time we reached Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick, we were tired, hungry, and ready for a break. Besides, the drive to our hotel in Fredericton the next day would take a comfortable hour-and-a-half.
The Amsterdam Inn & Suites beckoned at an exit off the Trans-Canada Highway and we decided to go for it. It was a good choice for several reasons.
Types of Rooms on Offer at the Amsterdam Inn & Suites
Amsterdam Inn & Suites is a small New Brunswick chain, and this hotel was its newest built just a year or two ago. We checked in at the reception desk in the bright and cheerful lobby. It wasn’t crowded and there was lots of room at the inn.
The 78-guestroom Amsterdam Inn & Suites had a variety of choices from rooms with two queen beds to a one king bed suite with a separate living area and full kitchen. We opted for the two queens and took the elevator up a floor to our room. There was a mini-fridge, coffee maker, desk with chair, and flatscreen TV. Wi-fi is free.
Other configuration options included a two Queen, pet-friendly drive-up room with a patio, and a suite with a separate bedroom, living area, and kitchen equipped with a toaster, microwave, dishwasher, sink, and full fridge.
There are also rooms with one King bed and sofa bed, and a business suite with one King bed, sofa bed, and separate sitting area. The bridal suite comes with a Jacuzzi tub and electric fireplace.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the Hotel Restaurant
Best thing of all? Our room came with a free hot breakfast in the hotel’s full-service restaurant Exit 153.
We could pick what we wanted from the menu which included yogurt and granola, omelets, pancakes, eggs cooked to order with hash browns, toast, bacon, ham, or sausage. Eggs benedict, bagels, and wraps were other choices. And, of course, juice, coffee, and tea.
It’s a good place for lunch and dinner as well. The lunch menu featured crepes, salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, and daily specials. The extensive picks for dinner included pasta, chicken, beef dishes such as short ribs, and fish including Atlantic scallops.
If you just wanted a snack and a drink, there was a little bar in the restaurant, as well.
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Amsterdam Inn & Suites Amenities
If you need help with anything, Amsterdam Inn & Suites front desk is open 24 hours. Plus, there’s free parking.
Ever gotten hungry in the middle of the night? There was an honor-system snack station off the lobby.
Amenities included a fitness center, business center, and guest laundry.
Fun Potato Attractions Near to the Amsterdam Inn & Suites
While staying there, we learned that Florenceville-Bristol is the French Fry Capital of the world. The McCain French Fry empire was founded in 1957 by the McCain brothers Wallace, Harrison, Robert, and Andrew in this little community, their hometown.
It was fitting that just down the road was the Potato World Museum. As well as getting educated on the many types of tubers there are, I was surprised to find that the Florenceville-Bristol soil is so packed with nutrition that it provides higher-than-normal yields.
From Chips to Charcuterie: Regional Potato Specialties
A highlight of the museum was its café which was jammed with locals for lunch. The sandwich platters and burger platters were varied and of great value, but it was the potato-centric offerings that I found astounding.
The French Fry Charcuterie Boards included two choices of differently seasoned fries (Outbacka had bacon and cheese melted on top) and six different sauces (including maple bacon, Siracha mayo, and parmesan herb). There was also potato soup, smoothies, and chocolate potato cake.
Also a short drive away was Covered Bridge Potato Chips. We took a self-guided tour of the plant and at the end were rewarded with a bag of freshly cooked chips. Delicious. They can be found in grocery stores and retail outlets around the world. After coming home to Toronto I found them in our local Bulk Barn.
The Amsterdam Inn & Suites is a five-property chain. As well as in Florenceville-Bristol, there are hotels in Sussex, Saint John/Quispamsis, Fredericton, and Moncton. Owned by the deWinter family, Amsterdam Inn & Suites launched in 1994. The name reflects the family’s Dutch heritage.
Rates at the Amsterdam Inn & Suites
Rates start at $139 per night for two Queen Beds. The Bridal Suite and the One King Bed suite with living area and Kitchen start at $209. You can compare rates for any room configuration at Expedia.com. Children 17 and under stay for free. Pet friendly, you are allowed two pets per room, a maximum of 45 lbs each. No exotic pets are allowed. There is a fee of $25 per pet per night plus taxes.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Tourism New Brunswick arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
