strawberryjamtart

I'd appreciate any advice on where to stay while I am in Amsterdam this October. I will be choosing a hotel, but want to avoid any seedy dodgy areas.
I would like somewhere that is pretty, clean and has restaurants, shops and cafes. I will be attending a conference.
So yes, I will be avoiding the red light district, and am keen to avoid anywhere that I can get mugged or approached by druggies.
Thanks in advance for advice and suggestions.

hetismij2

Where is your conference?
How much do you want to pay a night?

You are unlikely to be mugged or approached by "druggies"in Amsterdam. Far less likely to be mugged than in many cities in Europe.
Most hotels on the likes of Booking.com and especially on Tripadvisor are in very safe areas.

Tulips

I would say the new Andaz on Prinsengracht ticks all your boxes.
Except maybe the budget one, but your didn't mention that.

The Red Light district is not really that seedy. The Grand is not far from the Red Light district, and that is pretty and clean.

tarquin

Amsterdam mostly feels safe. Maybe not a good idea to walk through the Vondelpark at night, but if a naked lady smiles at you in the red light district, it won't do you any harm

I like the Jordaan area best.

HappyTrvlr

Look at Hotel Ambassade on the Herengracht canal. Great area.

suze

I strongly prefered the neighborhoods of Leidseplein, the Jordaan, around Vondelpark. I didn't like the central area around the Dam and train station (and RLD) much.

strawberryjamtart

Thank you all for your helpful replies.
The conference is in a convention centre that is quite a major conference venue and out of the rings of canals - I think a tram or buses go there.
SO I take it Prinsengracht and Herengracht, Leidseplein, the Jordaan are the good places to stay.
I saw a nice looking hotel online called The Toren - I hope it is there as it looks lovely.
Hotel Ambassade looks good too, may take your advice there.

Leely2

I have stayed at the Toren and enjoyed both the hotel and its location very much. Pretty area, very convenient to many sites.

sandralist

In October, I would first want to know what the best tram lines are to the conference center and then book a hotel near a tram stop. It can be pretty rainy in October, and in the later part of the month it will begin to get dark earlier, and you sound like a nervous traveler. Amsterdam is quite a safe city.

You would actually need to deliberately go to the Red Light District to have any contact with it. Likewise, you are not going to be around people using drugs unless you go inside a cannabis bar. I've been to Amsterdam a half a dozen times, and the only danger I felt was from bicyclists -- but even there, the bike paths are clearly marked and you just need to learn not walk on them.

KTtravel

We enjoyed the Hotel Estherea. I found Amsterdam to be a very pleasant city to explore and did not feel unsafe wandering the city. Have a great time!

IMDonehere

While we were in Amsterdam last month, we accidentally walked through the Red Light District during the day. Maybe there is more is going at night, but the only danger we saw were the young gawkers blocking the street.

menachem

That's probably Rai, in which case, anything in "South", around Museumplein and Beethovenstraat will be convenient for you. Also hotels in De Pijp are in a good location.

Anything close to the number 4 and the number 25 trams is good.

spaarne

<i>Amsterdam - where to stay
Posted by: strawberryjamtart on May 26, 14 at 9:09am
I'd appreciate any advice on where to stay while I am in Amsterdam this October.</i>

<i>HappyTrvlr on May 26, 14 at 2:14pm
Look at Hotel Ambassade on the Herengracht canal. Great area.</i>

Ditto the Ambassade hotel and the area. It is close to the Spui on which you'll find the Cafe Luxembourg (beverages and light eats) and brown bar Cafe Hoppe (beverages and friendly local professionals). Good restaurants on Spuistraat are the Luden and the famous Five Flies.

If your conference is at the RAI and the weather is typical Dutch drizzle you might want to take a taxi. It is a hike from the nearest metro station or tram stop as I recall.

menachem

The number 4 tram stops right outside RAI.