Amsterdam hotel $$?
 

I am planning for a Europe trip this summer with a buddy and just trying to get an idea on approx. expenses for airfare and hotel since they will be the biggest costs.

Airfare will probably range $800-$1000 in the peak season and that's a good enough estimate for me. How about hotels in AMS? I was in BRU couple of years ago and stayed at Novotel near the town square. It was a great location, small but clean hotel and not too expensive.

Can someone give an idea on Amsterdam hotel prices and locations? Looking something along the lines of a Novotel or any other midscale property. Location is a bigger key than luxury. Any ballpark numbers would be good help. Thanks.

Where are you flying from? If North America, $800-1000 for peak summer travel season is on the optimistic side. Think $1300+
Also, suggest you try doing a search "Amsterdam hotel" generates multiple threads, including this one http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europ...-us-100-a.html

Amsterdam is probably a city where priceline is a good choce for hotels

cheap hotels in amsterdam dont exist

To clarify, I don't mean $50/night. 100-125 euros/night perhaps?

For a central Novotel equivalent I would imagine more like €180-€200 during the Summer at standard rates (eg hotel website).

However, Priceline should get you something of the €100-€125 range.

Also, there wiill be special offers by the likes of Travelzoo where you will be able to get prices similar to Priceline.

And there are some cheap(ish) hotels in Amsterdam like CitizenM and some in the South of the city like Park Plaza Vondelpark (where I got a Travelzoo rate of around €89 last year).

Yes, if your visit is not during extreme peak times (such as the IBC conference in September), you should be able to find something decent for about €100-125 per night.

AMS seems a lot more expensive than BRU. Is it just my perception or hotel rates have gone up too?

Brussels is the "capital" of the EU and has lots of hotel rooms for the visiting bureaucrats from 27 countries. In summer (July-August) "all' Europeans take 4 week holidays ;-) and there is a large surplus of hotel rooms in Brussels at relatively affordable prices.

Amsterdam is a major tourist destination and at peak tourist times (New year's, April/May, during the summer and during some of the bigger conferences) the hotels can easily fill their rooms at premium prices.

You might want to consider the website below: (Airbnb.com) for lodging in Amsterdam.

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Amsterdam--...s=2&room_types[]=Entire+home%2Fapt&sw_lat=52.35662714675427&sw_lng =4.878732222167969&ne_lat=52.380524495448675&ne_ln g=4.917871016113281&search_by_map=true

Got it. Basically BRU has a larger supply to meet the demand. It makes sense.

Is end-Aug/early-Sept a good season to visit AMS? Like cafes still having outdoor seating etc?

Yes, is a good time. Weather in Amsterdam is unpredictable (could be very nice, could also be miserable any time of the year), but late August/early September should be quite warm still. The IBC conference this year will be from 12-17 September and hotel prices will easily be 100% higher during this week!

The best place to start is some travel web sides that actually sell hotel rooms. You get an idea of the price.

As far as location is concerned, DEFINITELY stay in the center (I stayed closer to the outskirts once and it turned out to be a bad idea). I think the 2 best locations for tourist activities are close to the Centraal station (around Singel) or in Leidseplein / Vondel Park.

As a HHGold member, I'd look at the Doubletree Centraal Station, excellent location and nice upgrades, if rooms available

Actually I am Marriott Plat and Gold on HH/ SPG. But not sure if those properties cater to lower budget during peak season.

Generally, I wouldn't mind paying a little more but I am traveling with other people and they would like to keep the hotel costs low.