We are staying overnight in Amsterdam in January, 2008 on our way to Africa. Need suggestions on hotel. Would it be best to stay in a hotel near the airport and take the train into city center for sight seeing and dinner? We leave fro Africa the next day at 10:30 am, so we will only have 1 afternoon and evening in Amsterdam. Thanks

Around the airport various hotels, like Sheraton, Hilton, NH hotels etc. They have a shuttle to/from the airport.
From the airport there is a good frequent trainconnection into Amsterdam.
Depending how much luggage you have with you, an airporthotel might be better.

Thanks for the information. These hotels are running around 200 euros per night. Has anyone stayed at the Ibis Amsterdam Airport Hotel? It seem to be about half the price.
We travel very light, so luggage is not a problem, but we are worried about the weather in Amsteram in January and think staying near the airport is a good idea. Thank you very much for your help.

Ibis is o.k., no luxury, rather basic.

I have stayed twice at the Hotel Piet Hein in the Museum district and will stay there agin if I return to Amsterdam. With a morning flight, I would probably use a taxi to get to the airport but I found the airport train and Tram convient my last trip. On my first trip I used an airport bus each way and nearly missed my flight because the bus stopped at a lot of other hotels after it picked me up. The bus would be OK to go from the airport to the Piet Hein. The hotel is on Vondel Park and within walking distance of the museums, the Concertgebouw, and a lot of restuarants.