Amsterdam hotel recommendations- HELP!!
 

Calling all Amsterdam experts...

My wife & I will be visiting Amsterdam for 3 nights later this month (Dec. 28-31), and need some hotel thoughts. She'd prefer a small charming B&B, and I'm open for anything that won't break the bank (under US$200/night).
I'd like to be in the vicinity of Central Station and the major attractions, so please let me know if you have any thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

For a small hotel, try the Fita. I stayed there with a friend 4 years ago. It's clean and comfortable and rooms have private bathrooms and an inroom safe. It's located on a side street parallel to a tram stop so the central train station is only a 10 minute ride away. It's also within a 5 minute walk of the national art and van Gogh museums, and the Concertgebouw.

The double rates posted are NLG 220-265 including tax and breakfast.

I stayed at the Maes B & B. It was clean, comfortable, quiet, and well-located. Here's a link to their Website:
http://www.bedandbreakfastamsterdam.com/

Rates for a double are NLG195-300.

It's not small and it's not a B&B but I had a very pleasant experience at the Crowne Plaza that's about 2 blocks from the Centraal Station.

I go to AMS about 4 times a year, and will in fact be there Dec 29 to Jan 1 (on the UA flights thru IAD). My friend PremierExec2000 suggested a great hotel which I often frequent, the Crowne Plaza. The other one I stay at is the Renaissance, which is across the street from the C.P. I have always found great specials at these properties through their respective websites. Both hotels are very nice and about two blocks from the Centraal Station.

I used Priceline to get a room at the Marriott for $63US per night. It's not a B and B, but I'm sure she could find some way to amuse herself with the $137 per night your not spending to make up for it ;-)

I can give you the hotel scoop next week when I get back.

missydarlin-

I stayed at the Marriott in October (also priceline..warning they will add a 5% city tax to your room that has not been collected). It's right outside Vondelpark, and is an excellent location to base yourself. Go see Boom Chicago, an improv type show, just right up the block. You won't regret it.

I recommend the Krasnapolsky, right on Dam Square. I just returned from AMS on Monday and enjoyed my stay there at the hotel, centrally located and 5 stars. Try "Bookings.nl" for deals on all of the hotels in Amsterdam. I stayed there for $100.US over a five day stay. Cheers!

Try the Canalhouse. Its located on the Keizersgracht, just minutes away from Dam Square and Central station. http://www.canalhouse.nl/

Try the Ambassade on Herrengracht - a very nice hotel indeed.

http://www.ambassade-hotel.nl, I think

I'd recommend against anything too close to the Central Station--it's not the greatest area close in to it. (Keeping in mind two things, though: a not-nice area of Amsterdam is still head-and-shoulders above a not-nice area in a U.S. city, and in Amsterdam, everything's pretty close, so getting too far from the Central Station is a hard thing to do. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)

I've used points at both the Hilton and the Pulitzer--both amazing and well worth using points for, though I doubt I'd ever pay non-reimbursed money to stay at either.

I strongly second 1K-SFO's advice to avoid the Centraal Station area. It's the only part of Amsterdam where the streets are filled less with interesting shops and architecture, and more with fast-food places and 20-something Americans and Brits who are stoned to the bone.

I've stayed at the Krasnapolsky (Dam Sq.), the American (Leideseplein), and the Grand, and they're all pleasant but fairly big. I have a second-hand recommendation for the Sunhead B&B, which is on the Herengracht, a few minutes walk from lots of nice places. (Note: I hope they're still in business; I couldn't access their Web site today.)

I did not like the KRASNOPOLSKY though the location is great. I would advise against it.

Around the Central Station its a bit seedy WITH NO CHARM.

I would also vote for the Sheraton Pulitzer. It is right on the Prinzengracht (sp) canal, and is a collection of charming dutch homes joined together. I know they are currently offering a special rate of 220 euros (which should be right around US 200. It includes a late 4pm check out, full breakfast for 2 and a 25 euro credit toward food/services at the hotel. If you go, definately ask for a canal view room.

I concur with comments about staying in the vicinity of Centraal Station. I really like the Leidseplein area, the Americain and the Marriott are in this area. I like the Hotel Vondel, a small 3-star in Vondelstraat, footsteps around the corner from the Marriott. If your wife likes B & Bs, this small hotel is a good bet, and quite reasonable. Trams come by Leidseplein every couple of minutes to transport you anywhere you care to go. This area is within walking distance of two absolute must-see sites: the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. The other "don't miss" is the Anne Frank House (go first thing in the AM to avoid lines and crowds). There is a great Pancake Bakery near AFH, their pancakes cover the whole giant plate and make a complete meal. Mmmm!

I concur with comments about staying in the vicinity of Centraal Station. I really like the Leidseplein area, the Americain and the Marriott are in this area. I like the Hotel Vondel, a small 3-star in Vondelstraat, footsteps around the corner from the Marriott. If your wife likes B & Bs, this small hotel is a good bet, and quite reasonable. Trams come by Leidseplein every couple of minutes to transport you anywhere you care to go. This area is within walking distance of two absolute must-see sites: the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. The other "don't miss" is the Anne Frank House (go first thing in the AM to avoid lines and crowds). There is a great Pancake Bakery near AFH, their pancakes cover the whole giant plate and make a complete meal. Mmmm!

I just got got back from my first visit there, what a wonderful city.

We went to the tourist booking office at central station and got the AMS City Centre Hotel (about a 15 minute walk from the station) for about $70 a night. (checking online it seems to be going for about $125-ish.) I think it's about a 3***, our rooms are tiny but very funky, newly refurbished and very clean, almost a 'boutique' hotel style-wise. The included breakfast was fine, and it's right across from a tram stop, very convienient. The nieghborhood didn't strike me as particularly grotty, but I used to live on the lower east side.

Have a great time!

This post reprised from this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000171.html

A nice alternative to hotel rooms and B&B's would be short-term stay apartments. I used the following service/site for a stay in AMS this past May and thoroughly enjoyed our accomodations (a 2 BR townhouse). A friend who joined us there had a similarly nice 1 BR apartment.

http://www.amsterdamhouse.com/

Ah, but therein lies the charm!!