Where should I stay in Amsterdam?
August 3, 2011 8:14 AM Subscribe
I will be in Amsterdam for work in early September, and am planning to stay for a couple of days afterwards to visit the city, since I've never been before. I need recommendations for areas to stay in, please!
We'll be staying near Oosterpark for our work meetings, but I need to switch to somewhere cheaper once I'm covering my own costs. I haven't yet had time to read travel guides, etc., so I have no idea what areas of the city to look at for accommodations. Given that I will probably only stay an extra two days, I'd like to be within walking distance of things worth seeing, but I'm not a huge fan of crowds so don't mind being a bit out of the action, either. I like walking, so "walking distance" can be interpreted fairly loosely.
Things to consider:
-I want to be able to just wander around and admire the city
-I'd be happy to rent a bike for a day or two to tour around that way
-I hope to visit some of the amazing museums (Van Gogh, Anne Frank house)
-I'm fine with staying in hostels, as long as they're clean and my chances of coming home with bedbug-infested bags is pretty minimal
-I'm into yummy (vegetarian or better yet vegan) food, good drink, seeing cool things
-I'm not into partying, plus I'll be a bit tired after running intensive meetings for a few days
I'm a late-20s queer woman, and my budget, if possible, is no more than $150 USD per night, though less is obviously great. Suggestions of either neighborhoods to look at, or specific places, are both appreciated!
We'll be staying near Oosterpark for our work meetings, but I need to switch to somewhere cheaper once I'm covering my own costs. I haven't yet had time to read travel guides, etc., so I have no idea what areas of the city to look at for accommodations. Given that I will probably only stay an extra two days, I'd like to be within walking distance of things worth seeing, but I'm not a huge fan of crowds so don't mind being a bit out of the action, either. I like walking, so "walking distance" can be interpreted fairly loosely.
Things to consider:
-I want to be able to just wander around and admire the city
-I'd be happy to rent a bike for a day or two to tour around that way
-I hope to visit some of the amazing museums (Van Gogh, Anne Frank house)
-I'm fine with staying in hostels, as long as they're clean and my chances of coming home with bedbug-infested bags is pretty minimal
-I'm into yummy (vegetarian or better yet vegan) food, good drink, seeing cool things
-I'm not into partying, plus I'll be a bit tired after running intensive meetings for a few days
I'm a late-20s queer woman, and my budget, if possible, is no more than $150 USD per night, though less is obviously great. Suggestions of either neighborhoods to look at, or specific places, are both appreciated!
A lifetime ago (okay, maybe 2002?) I stayed at the Hotel Brian, which looks as if it has since changed hands. Rates were cheap, rooms were clean, and it was walkable to everything. Reviews of the hotel look good online. I was able to walk everywhere (including Anne Frank house and Van Gogh museum) and bike rentals were close by. You can book a room/check rates online. Have fun!!
posted by jabes at 8:54 AM on August 3, 2011
posted by jabes at 8:54 AM on August 3, 2011
De Pijp is a good option if you want to be out of the center.
Stayokay Vondelpark is a good option for a hostel. Also out of the center.
Given your budget, I'd have a look at Priceline Name Your Own Price. Take a look at this primer:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g188590-c115136/Amsterdam:The-Netherlands:Web.Hotel.Bargains.In.Amsterdam.html
The center proper, called the Grachtengodel, is within the concentric canal rings if you look at a map. Once you're a block or two away from any busy areas like the Dam Square or Red Light District even the center is quiet and relatively uncrowded.
Also be aware that the IBC conference is Sept 8-13 making accommodation searches tough and expensive.
posted by humboldt32 at 8:55 AM on August 3, 2011
Stayokay Vondelpark is a good option for a hostel. Also out of the center.
Given your budget, I'd have a look at Priceline Name Your Own Price. Take a look at this primer:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g188590-c115136/Amsterdam:The-Netherlands:Web.Hotel.Bargains.In.Amsterdam.html
The center proper, called the Grachtengodel, is within the concentric canal rings if you look at a map. Once you're a block or two away from any busy areas like the Dam Square or Red Light District even the center is quiet and relatively uncrowded.
Also be aware that the IBC conference is Sept 8-13 making accommodation searches tough and expensive.
posted by humboldt32 at 8:55 AM on August 3, 2011
I love the Lowlands. I booked my lodging through the listings on Rick Steve's "Through The Back Door" series. I contacted actual families and stayed in their homes for a fraction of the cost---$40 per night in Bruges, for example. Instead of staying in an overhyped hotel, I was next to the moat at the edge of the city. It was awesome. You can easily find his series on Amazon.
posted by effluvia at 9:15 AM on August 3, 2011
posted by effluvia at 9:15 AM on August 3, 2011
maybe a bit high on your price range, but i can vouch for this b&b
hosted by a super friendly gay norwegian dude and his partner.
either way, i'd look into bed and breakfasts over hotels in Amsterdam, much more fun and better way to get insider tips. Westerpark and the Hugo de Grooteplein area in de Baarsjes are also up and coming, walkable areas where you might get cheaper deals.
Avoid Amsterdam Noord, hard to reach because you need to take the ferry, and not very fun area. Bound to be cheaper though. Slotervaart, Bijlmer Bos en Lommer are more out of the way areas with bad reputations.
Have fun!
posted by PardonMyFrench at 10:06 AM on August 3, 2011
hosted by a super friendly gay norwegian dude and his partner.
either way, i'd look into bed and breakfasts over hotels in Amsterdam, much more fun and better way to get insider tips. Westerpark and the Hugo de Grooteplein area in de Baarsjes are also up and coming, walkable areas where you might get cheaper deals.
Avoid Amsterdam Noord, hard to reach because you need to take the ferry, and not very fun area. Bound to be cheaper though. Slotervaart, Bijlmer Bos en Lommer are more out of the way areas with bad reputations.
Have fun!
posted by PardonMyFrench at 10:06 AM on August 3, 2011
I stayed a few years back in I guess what is called the Museum Quarter; it's bordered by the Vondelpark to the north, Hobbemakade to the east, and Noorder Amstelkanaal to the south. It's a small area, which means you are 2-5 minutes' walk to not only the museums and Concertgebouw, where I enjoyed watching the orchestra's free lunchtime rehearsal (and Museumplein and Vondelpark), but also to the Old South, de Pijp, and the Grachtengordel, the girdle of canals that's just outside the old center of the city. To walk to, say, the train station will take you a good half an hour, which means everything else you'd want to go to (except the Jordaan) is closer.
This section of the city has advantages over the old center: not only cheaper, but quieter at night, and more 'authentic' than more touristy areas. It was nice to walk out of the hotel and be surrounded by families and apartments. When I wanted to go into the center, a 20-minute walk gave me time to gird up for it. Unfortunately, the hotel I stayed at seems to be out of commission the last year or so; it was fine, especially for 80 euro a night.
posted by troywestfield at 11:58 AM on August 3, 2011
This section of the city has advantages over the old center: not only cheaper, but quieter at night, and more 'authentic' than more touristy areas. It was nice to walk out of the hotel and be surrounded by families and apartments. When I wanted to go into the center, a 20-minute walk gave me time to gird up for it. Unfortunately, the hotel I stayed at seems to be out of commission the last year or so; it was fine, especially for 80 euro a night.
posted by troywestfield at 11:58 AM on August 3, 2011
Response by poster: This is all fantastic advice, thank you! Lots for me to look into tonight...
posted by sabotagerabbit at 12:47 PM on August 3, 2011
posted by sabotagerabbit at 12:47 PM on August 3, 2011
We stayed in this B&B-esque self-service apartment. Super central and good: http://www.mnque.com/www.mnque.com/OPENING.html
posted by rumbles at 6:02 PM on August 3, 2011
posted by rumbles at 6:02 PM on August 3, 2011
I absolutely love walking in Amsterdam. Perfect walking city. Don't forget -- trams run everywhere there. If you want to explore another part of town, jump on one for 10 minutes and you'll be there. Don't miss out on cruising the Red Light District. Many adults walk around this area like it's R-rated Disney World. (It's generally safe there. Cops abound.) Make sure to hit up the Van Gogh museum, too!
posted by bprater at 1:45 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by bprater at 1:45 PM on August 4, 2011
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I myself was staying in the NH Caransa in Rembrantsplein and I highly recommend that you avoid the big tourist areas to stay.
It's pretty easy to walk anywhere, from anywhere (YMMV depending on how much you like city walking). Renting a bike is pretty easy and fun; I think I got mine from Mike's Bikes, which was fine. It was indeed a great way to see the city, but I ride a road bike at home and I found the Dutch style bike to be a pain.
I skipped the Anne Frank House. If you want to go, get there very early. Very. Early. Line goes on forever. The Van Gogh Museum is really wonderful, as is the Rijksmuseum (which are next to each other, relatively speaking). You could do both the same day, but I'd budget all day.
If you like coffee, I HIGHLY recommend Koffie Salon on Utrechtstraat between Utrechtsedwarsraat and Falckstraat. Great pastries, too!
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:51 AM on August 3, 2011 [1 favorite]