There are many factors you must decide before placing your reservation. I know you've heard all the typical questions and usual answers. Here are a few typical issues.

[luxury hotel or money to shop?]

Like every other city in Europe, Amsterdam has a variety of hotels to suit every budget. If you like to be pampered or treated like royalty, READ NO FURTHER! I see no reason to spend the extra money unless you plan to sit in your room all day. One of your most vivid memories of Amsterdam will be your stay in a Dutch hotel where the service is personal and the atmosphere European. Most Dutch hotels offer a comfortable well decorated room, but don't expect the Intercontinental Hotel, unless you want to pay the price. What you will enjoy is a friendly establishment where the innkeeper still takes pride in the business and really cares about your comfort.

[city center or outskirts?]

Amsterdam is a walkers (or bicyclers) city. Normally, I would recommend hotels in a good secondary part of a city, but in Amsterdam the best place to stay is in the center of the action. Amsterdam is a beautiful city and there is no better way to enjoy it than to step out of you hotel in to the beauty of the canals, cobblestone streets and architecture. Staying in the central canal ring (Centrum) allows you to be within walking distance to most of the famous sights. Public transportation in Amsterdam is convenient and perfect for more distant sights.

[best neighborhoods]

Westerkerk - This is the west side of the canal ring in the vicinity of the 17th century Werterkerk and Anne Frankhuis. The Westerkerk area has quiet residential neighborhoods which are not too touristy but offers some nice restaurants, cafes and shops. The Westerkerk is located on the outermost Prisengracht (Princes Canal). Hotels in this area are within very close walking distance to Raadhuisstraat, Centraal Station, Magna Plaza Shopping Center, Kalverstraat Shopping, Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) and the Dam. This neighborhood is pleasant, convenient and safe.

Dam - If you enjoy walking, the Dam is centrally located to all popular sights, shopping and restaurants. The Dam Monument is surrounded by the popular De Bijnenkorf (The Beehive) department store, Het Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace), Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky and the Rokin, Damrak and Kalverstraat shopping streets. The Kalverstraat is a pedestrian only shopping street with every type of store imaginable. From the Dam walk east to reach the famous «de Walletjes» . It only seems appropriate that the oldest part of the city is also home of the "oldest profession". The Red Light District was officially sanctioned here as far back as the 14th century. Although the Wallejes is a fun place for an afternoon stroll, I would not recommend this area for a hotel. Hotels on the Rokin and Damrak attract tourists and can be a good bargin but they are located on two very busy streets.

Leidseplein & Leidsestraat - The area around the Leidseplein is my favorite in Amsterdam neighborhood. This is Amsterdam's second largest entertainment district (after the Rembrandtsplein) with many hotels, bars, sidewalk cafes, night clubs, shops and restaurants. The Leidseplein is a bustling square with many large outdoor beer cafes, international restaurants and theaters. The Leidseplein is located at the southwestern end of the Leidsestraat shopping street between the Singelgracht and Prisengracht. The Leidsestraat is a bustling street with countless shops selling everything from Groceries (Albert Heijn is a Dutch Supermarket, cousin to American Stop and Shop, Bi-Lo and Giant Supermarkets) to Women's Clothing (In Wear, Sissy Boy, etc). Although the nightlife on the Leidseplein can pulsate well into the night, many of the hotels in this area are on quiet residential streets away from the evening crowds. Hotels in this area are within walking distance of the Rijksmuseum, Jordaan, Vondelpark and Kalverstraat shopping streets. There are also countless interesting little shops, galleries and cafes on all the side streets and canals of this part of Amsterdam. The Runstraat and Huidenstraat are two interesting streets with a number of small neighborhood boutiques and cafes.

[other neighborhoods]

Rembrandtsplein and Muntplein (Centrum)

Vondelpark and the Rijksmuseum (South of Centrum)

 

[elevators or stairs?]

In this antique city, luxuries like air conditioning, elevators and good plumbing must not be taken for granted. What you can count on in Amsterdam is a decent Dutch style breakfast which is almost always included in your hotel rate. This can include a variety of Dutch cheeses, cold meats, breads, rusks (a round dry crunchy toast), cereal, yogurt, juices, strong dutch coffee, tea and Dutch cocoa. It's enough to hold you over until lunch. What you can't count on is elevators, air conditioning and modern plumbing. The best way to judge these 'luxuries' is to ask around, read the reviews and surf the Internet to find the information to make your visit comfortable.

 

SINCE JANUARY 2001