Using Marriott hotels in Amsterdam

The Marriott is close to the Rijks/VH museums, also the Leidsplien Square.
The Renaissance is the other end of the city center near Centraal Station, Anne Frank House, and the Jordaan neighborhood.

The Marriott on the Stadhouderskade is close to the Leidseplein, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum. The Renaissance Marriott is close to the train station, Dam Square, red light district.

Renaissance hands down. It is less than a five minute walk from Centraal station and a block away from a major tram station. Want to head somewhere on a day trip? No problem with the transportation hub of Centraal being so close. There are also a lot of restaurants and stores you can easily walk to. It is really convenient to have a quality property in the center of everything.

I second Greg's posting above. I have stayed at the Renaissance several times now on points (not sure it is worth the price if not using points though). Saves time and hassle as you can walk there from Centraal Station in 5 minutes. Centrally located, but it is located down a quiet side street, so no street noise. On the edge of the Jordaan Neighborhood. Last, assuming your Marriott points give you access to the executive lounge, it is top notch. Enjoy.

I have stayed at the Courtyard Amsterdam Airport hotel, and staying again in Nov. They have a shuttle, you can take from the airport,and a return shuttle. The hotel's shuttle goes to the airport for a fee of 5.50 euros per person, one way. From the airport, there is a train that runs 24 hours that can take you directly to the city center, about ten minutes ride. Cost of the train ride is 3.00 euros per person, one way.
Now why did I pick this over all the other AMS Marriotts? Points, its 25,000 per night, others were 35-40 per night. Also, I have a lot of luggage(returning from Red Sea scuba trip) so not riding the train with the luggage was a no brainer.
The Courtyard Amsterdam Arena Atlas is a bit closer to the city center and also 25,000 points a night, but I didn't like the area it was in.

We recently stayed at the Marriott Hotel near Leidseplein and had a great experience. Easy walk to lots of museums and for places farther afield, the tram stop is close by. Hotel staff was very helpful. The complimentary breakfast and afternoon reception in the concierge lounge was the best we've ever had in a Marriott. Highly recommend.