Where to Stay in Amsterdam

The Travel Pages recommends where to stay in Amsterdam, whether you want a budget or 5-star luxury hotel, camping or hostels.

The drawback to the beauty of Amsterdam, with its many canals and narrow streets, is a lack of accommodation in relation to the numbers of people who want to visit. There are plenty of hotels, sure, of all types and standards, but even more people trying to get into them.

The best advice is therefore to book well ahead, if you want to stay in a particular hotel, type of hotel or location. This applies even more at the weekends, when most people want to visit. Even in the least busy season, winter, when room rates drop, you should still plan ahead. Turning up in Amsterdam without a room booked is not recommended.

Some visitors prefer to be in the city centre, a short walk from Centraal Station and somewhere near to Dam Square. This is fine if you don’t mind a bit of noise, as the city centre is a lively place, well into the early hours. If you want to party and be near the bars, this is fine.

If you prefer some quieter and more characterful, look for a hotel in the Jordaan, perhaps, or elsewhere around the Canal Ring. Some of the tall, canalside buildings have been converted into hotels, and they certainly have atmosphere.

What they often don’t have, though, is a lift, so if you’re not hot on climbing stairs, bear this in mind before booking. Rooms in these places can also be quite small, especially on the upper floors. You can even stay on the canals, as some boats have been turned into floating hotels.

The Museum Quarter is fine if you plan to spend lots of time visiting the main museums, but as an area it lacks a bit of the character you get if you stay on or within the Canal Ring. Finally, bear in mind that the city centre is quite compact, and many of the main attractions can easily be reached on foot or by tram, no matter where you are.

Breakfast is usually included in the cost of a hotel room, and will normally mean a cold buffet. Small hotels will probably serve you some cheese and ham with rolls and coffee, though larger hotels will usually have a large buffet with some hot dishes too.

The cost of hotels in Amsterdam is perhaps a little bit higher than you might expect, because of the shortage, but for the most part are not outrageously overpriced.

Where in Amsterdam to Stay?

You’ll enjoy Amsterdam no matter how short or long a visit you have. If time is tight, think what your priorities are and don’t try to squeeze too much in.

If it’s culture you’re after, base yourself near the Museum Quarter to get an early start and beat the queues (which can be long for the Van Gogh Museum).

If it’s the night culture you’re more interested in, then stay in the city centre or near the Leidseplein, from where you can stumble out the door and right into the best bars and clubs.

For a relaxed and more romantic atmosphere then book yourself somewhere in the Jordaan and make the most of its cafés and canalside strolls.

Price Ratings

These days it’s difficult to quote exact hotel prices, as they vary so much from season to season and depending how you book. There can be rooms at a wide range of prices in the same hotel, and there can be great variations between the official rates quoted and the prices on offer if you search online. Our three ratings, then, are merely guidelines. The hotels are listed cheapest first.

€ = Inexpensive
€€ = Moderate
€€€ = Expensive

HOTELS

Amstel Botel
€

This floating hotel is in the dock about a 15-minute walk from  Centraal Station. It can be a bit noisy, but it’s a bargain for 3-star comfort.
Oosterdokskade 2-4
020 626 4247
amstelbotel.nl

Canal House
€€

One of the most characterful hotels in the city, made up of three 17th-century canal houses that have been stylishly converted, but without losing the historic feel. Not far from the Anne Frank House. Was voted one of the top three European city hotels by a UK newspaper.
Keizersgracht 148
020 622 5182
canalhouse.nl

Keizershof
€€

Converted 1672 canal house with just four beamed rooms, though the historical feel extends to the fact that not all rooms are ensuite. Makes up for it with character – and a great breakfast!
Keizersgracht 618
020 622 2855
hotelkeizershof.nl

Seven Bridges
€€

Near where the Keizersgracht Canal meets the Amstel River, with views of seven bridges, this old canal house has antique decor and makes for a stylish stay without breaking the bank.
Reguliersgracht 31
020 623 1329
sevenbridgeshotel.nl

Singel Hotel
€€

One of the better options that’s close to Centraal Station, yet overlooking the Singel Canal in a quiet location. Small rooms but cheerful and friendly.
Singel 13-17
020 626 3102
singelhotel.nl

The Dylan
€€€

Chic celebrity hang-out based around a 17th-century former theatre, discretely set back from the canal front and decorated in a restrained modern style.
Keizersgracht 384
020 530 2010
dylanamsterdam.com

Pulitzer
€€€

Perhaps the best treat in Amsterdam for a splurge romantic weekend, the Pulitzer is made up of a maze of old canal houses that are now the ultimate in modern comfort. Highly recommended.
Prinsengracht 315-331
020 523 5235
pulitzeramsterdam.com

CAMPING IN AMSTERDAM

There are several campsites around Amsterdam, some as close as five minutes away from the centre by bus. One of the nearest is the Vliegenbos campsite at Meeuwenlaan 138 (020 636 8855; amsterdam.nl/vliegenbos), which is about 15 minutes from the city centre using public transport.

Further out but with cabins to rent (Amsterdam can be wet!) is the Amsterdamse Bos at Kliene Noorddijk 1 in Amstelveen (020 641 6868; europarcs.nl). Amstelveen is about an hour south of the city centre on public transport.

HOSTELS IN AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam has numerous hostels catering to the budget visitor and one of the best is through the specialist Dutch hostels chain, StayOkay. It’s the Stayokay Hostel Vondelpark at Zandpad 5. It’s right by the Vondelpark, as the name suggests, and a great location handy for both the Museum Quarter and the city centre.