Amsterdam Accommodation
Choosing a hotel
For most visitors, the areas southwest of the centre are the favoured places to stay in Amsterdam. The canal belt (Grachtengordel) around the three picturesque canals of Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht is always popular, as is the area around the Museumplein. There are plenty of hotels to choose from in these areas and most are quieter than those in the central Dam/Damrak area.
Roughly half the total number of beds in Amsterdam are in de luxe or first-class hotels, but tourists tend to go for the small, family-run hotels, which are not only cheaper and more charming but are often in better locations. Many of these lower-category hotels are converted from narrow old town houses overlooking canals, but the disadvantages are very small rooms and steep stairs - many hotels don't have a lift.
The busiest times of year, when you need to book well in advance, are the flower season (April and May), Easter, the summer months and Christmas and New Year. Low season, when packages and hotel prices are at their cheapest, is from October to March (excluding Christmas and New Year). The VVV tourist office publishes a useful brochure called Amsterdam Accommodation Guide, available from their offices locally and abroad.
Reservations
You can book your accommodation via a travel agency or through the Amsterdam Reservation Centre.
5 De Ruyterkade, 1013 AA
Tel/fax: 201 8800; E-mail: reservations@amsterdamtourist. nl;
For reservations outside of Amsterdam, contact:
The Netherlands Reservation Centre 2 Plantsoengracht, 1441 DE Purmerend, tel: (029) 968 9144; fax: (029) 968 9154; www.hotelres.nl
The centre offers special winter packages known as “Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Way”, a deal which includes lower-rate accommodation (from budget to luxury hotels) plus, for example, free entrance to the Rijksmuseum, free drinks in certain bars and a free canal cruise.
Bed & Breakfast Holland tel: 615 7527; fax: 669 1573; www.bbholland.com
Good-value accommodation at locations throughout the city, though not necessarily in the centre. Besides bed & breakfast rooms, they also offer studios with kitchens for those who want self-catering. They work only via fax and email and take no last-minute bookings as they are generally full, especially in holiday periods and summer months.
If you do arrive in the city on spec there is a free telephone reservation service at the airport, or you can ask the VVV offices at Centraal Station to make a reservation for you - a small booking fee will be charged. If you want to stay with a family in a private house - which works out a lot cheaper than opting for a hotel - the VVV will also be able to help.
Immediately around Centraal Station you will find many so-called “Youth Hotels” and “Hostels” offering accommodation at rock-bottom prices, and in summer you may be approached by touts as you arrive at the station. Cheap they may be, but they are also fleapits, often located above a noisy all-night disco or café, and you will be expected to share rooms as well as bathrooms. They are best avoided, but if you use them, never leave any of your valuables unattended.
Apartment and houseboat rentals
Staying at self-catering studio, apartment or residence is becoming a more popular choice in Amsterdam. And in this city of canals there's also the special option of a houseboat rental. Among the reputable companies who do both land and water accommodation are:
Amsterdam House,
7 's-Gravelandseveer,
1011 KN Amsterdam,
tel: 626 2577; fax: 626 2987; www.amsterdamhouse.com
The company provides moderately priced housing in 30 apartments and eight houseboats for short or long rentals. Rooms are comfortable and fully equipped, with many overlooking the canals.
Prices & booking
Prices are quite high, and in recent years the emphasis has been on the top end of the market, a trend the city is trying to reverse. Bear in mind, however, that breakfast is normally included in the price (the choice of cheeses, cold meats, cakes and rolls, if rarely something to write home about, will keep you going for a good part of the day).
All hotels in the Netherlands are graded from 1 to 5 stars according to their facilities (or lack of them). As a general rule the quality of accommodation is high, but you get what you pay for. Prices vary depending on the season. Winter rates are commonly 30-50 percent lower than the published rates. But you need to ask for a discount - it won't be offered automatically.
You can book directly with the hotel; invariably the person who answers the phone will speak English. And at an increasing number of hotels you can book directly through their website. You'll often get the best available rate by doing so - but not always. It may be worthwhile to compare the internet rate with the one you get from a direct call to reception or reservations accompanied by a request for a discounted rate.
Updated May 2005