70 is boiling. Max you can have is slightly above 30.
I have always found Amsterdam quite expensive so I am bookmarking.

We usually find 70 degrees fine to sleep in. I guess it's one of those things where you risk it, hoping a heat wave does not come along during our stay.

Yes, exactly Suze. Because we are travelling on a tight budget, we aren't picky :) as long as the accommodation is clean and semi-central, we won't complain :)

Thanks kiwiabroad & good luck with your planning. I think often people who are used to traveling with a much larger budget and staying at the nicest places, just don't understand considerations and concessions a budget travel might make in order to be traveling at all!!!

<i>Whathello on Mar 30, 16 at 12:59pm
70 is boiling. Max you can have is slightly above 30. </i>

It is Fahrenheit in the New World. Temperatures are circa 75F daytime and probably 60F max at night in Amsterdam's August. The North Sea is a moderating influence in Holland.

And actually 70 is not boiling, even in Centigrade.

kiwi, if you're still searching: we love Park Plaza Vondelpark (disclaimer: our most recent visit was 5 years ago), which we chose in part because it had free wifi, breakfast included, AC, and no steep stairs. That visit was in August, and, as others have commented, we availed ourselves of the lounge fireplace more than the AC !

Tram 2 stops right outside (Emmastraat.) Our room was bright and had lots of storage, with the largest bathroom I've ever had in Europe.

While its location may not be as central as what you have in mind, the tram makes getting around quick and easy. Being near the park could also be a plus for you, whether in August or October.

Received a Park Plaza email recently advertising 20% off; not sure if the promotion is still in effect, but might be worth a look.

First off .. its not your imagination.. Amsterdam is more expensive to me too.. I can always find a hotel in a good area.. with ac , in summer, in Paris in your price range.. my luck with Amsterdam is never that good.. I think we are paying 165 this May..

We prefer staying very central for shorter visits.. so that does push up price point.

I have been to Amsterdam 4 times now.. ALL in either july or august.. and seriously.. bring a sweater , rain jacket and do not worry about AC.. you may get lucky and encounter some "warm" weather.. but that's going to be like 21 C. ( about 70 F) .. there is the slightest of chances it could be even 75 .. but it will cool down at night anyways.
Have you googled weather averages in Amsterdam.. its not a hot place.. ( but yes.. if you go to Paris in summer GET ac for sure)

Don't forget looking at hostels. Some hostels offer private rooms with private bath. You might want to see if there is something like that to fit your budget.

But book early for something like Stayokay, especially if it's a private room you're after. All other hostels, except maybe Winston Kingdom: avoid.

Thanks menachem. I'm not doubting your recommendation at all. Only wondering why the decent hostel options in AMS are few and far between?

I should have added, and it's probably a given, to check the travel forums and booking sites for recommendations before booking the hostels. We travel as a family so I take that into consideration but people in their 20's might have a different standard than my family. I remember sleeping on a "boat-tel" when I was a backpacking college student. I wouldn't stay in that boat again. ;)

Winston Kingdom in Warmoesstraat is pretty cool, if you can stand being in the RLD, unending drunk and stoned crowds, the sex trade, an entire neighbourhood catering to people with the munchies, etc.

Loads of hostels by people wanting to make a quick buck, fire safety usually at stake, not too clean, noisy, theft. Wouldn't do it, but your mileage may vary. Stayokay is excellent and has two locations in Ams, one in Vondelpark, one at the nice end of Oudezijds Achterburgwal. But: book now, because their private rooms go really fast. (I stayed at Vondelpark in one of the dorms. It was OK, but only for one night)

Another option, further out, in Amsterdam Zuid is Citizen M.
Noord now also has interesting places, there's the cabins at Camping Zeeburg (lots of international stoned people again and it's relatively far to the city center) or the cabins at Camping Vliegenbos (Noord, a ferry ride away from town)

https://www.amsterdam.nl/vliegenbos/

You have your own little cabin in the woods

This is very cool too, and you can be sure that almost no one will have had this experience

https://www.amsterdam.nl/vliegenbos/.../campinghotel/

75 euros/night. Can't be beat. Cabins are 85/night. Here too, book early!

I stayed at Vliegenbos with my cycle club: it's a very nice place and not too far from the city. Also, at the end of the day it can be very nice to withdraw there, and the place has a laid back fun atmosphere, lots of international guests, but it's used by Dutch people too, usually traveling through on bikes (like we did)

while I'm at it. If you're coming over during the summer months:

http://www.blijburg.nl/

PS: Vliegenbos ask you to bring your own bedding. Hema has that very cheap: buy while you arrive, donate when you leave.

Hi everyone!

We are all booked in for 5 nights at the Ibis Styles Amsterdam City! It looks central and is all that we need for our stay :) thank you so much for all the valuable advice and suggestions you have contributed :)

That's great you have found somewhere. The new breed of hostels are amazing, for those following this thread for another time have a look at Generator Hostels, talk about funky and modern.

Is that the one built into Central Station? That's a good spot.

Ibis styles is not a new bread of any thing. It is part of a large hotel group.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibis_Styles.
It's price is aimed at higher than the Ibis hotel. Still what I like to call modular design as every room is the same.

Menachem- no it's not the one by the central station. Ibis styles Amsterdam is on the outskirts of the canal ring from what I can see on the map.