Amsterdam and An Amputee
 

My husband and I are taking a Viking Cruise next September that begins in Amsterdam. We have decided to go a few days ahead to get a feel for the city. But of course we need to find a hotel. Our travel agent suggested the Movenpick Hotel, which looks OK from reviews. Anyone have some other suggestions? We want to be closer to sights worth visiting (I am an amputee and walk well, but I am not a long distance walker). Being close to transportation is always helpful to me. What are some of the more interesting things to see or do in Amsterdam (other than a walking tour:( ) ? Thanks in advance.

Also, anyone who has stayed at the Movenpick, does it have an elevator and are there any problems one might foresee for an above knee amputee?

You will be glad to know that the tram system in Amsterdam is very good and very easy to use. Also, you will probably enjoy a canal tour; you can get onboard and see much of the city without ever having to get off for the duration of the tour.

My favorite must see sights include the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank house. The second has stairs but is worth it if you can manage.

I don't know the Movenpick hotel so I can't help you there.

Yes. There is an elevator.

Maybe you can get some ideas from these links.
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/expe...led-travellers
http://www.amsterdam.info/hotels/wheelchair/
http://www.globalaccessnews.com/amsterdam07edwards.htm
http://www.frommers.com/destinations....NQmpAVjE.dpbs
http://www.toegankelijkamsterdam.nl/...ijkheid_engels
Yes I know I have included wheelchair assess information to try and help give you some idea of what is available for those who unfortunately do not have the same physical situation as most of of us.

I wouldn't choose the Movenpick. It's next to the rail station, one of the very least interesting areas of Amsterdam.

A much better choice would be near the Jordaan/9 Streets area, which has lots of atmosphere and is a pleasure to be in. The Sheraton Pulitzer is one of several good choices in the area (but if you choose the Pulitzer, be certain to ask for a room that does not require using stairs).

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me. I will check out the links and the Pulitzer and thanks for the room choice tip. Will the Pulitzer present a problem in traveling to where the Viking river cruise boats dock? Because we are coming for a few days before the trip, we have to get ourselves to the dock and we haven't looked at how to do that yet. Wheelchair access means no steps for an amputee, so that is fine. Does anyone know what kind of weather we could expect in mid September?

What are some of the more interesting things to see or do in Amsterdam (other than a walking tour:( )

My and others two cents on that:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm

In adition to trams there is the Museum Boat that takes you by water to several popular sites like the Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum area, etc.

Weatherwise it should be pleasantly warm, not hot, with cooler evening. But it could be wet and cool or really warm/hot. Weather here is never predictable. You have to pack layers and be prepared for some rain.

The Movenpick was suggested by your cruise company as it is closest to the cruise terminals. If you have a lot of luggage it may still be a more convenient place to stay than in the centre. You can book a shuttle from the hotel to the station from where you can get trams or buses or tour boats. There is also a tram which stops by the hotel.

Weather will be and is unpredictable. Just back from Rotterdam and had gorgeous weather. Totally unexpected I took clothes for frosty weather never used them.

It's a short taxi ride -- I would expect less than 10 euro -- from the Pulitzer to the dock area. The Hyatt Andaz hotel is in the same area -- I haven't stayed there, but it is a relatively new hotel and I'd expect it to be accessible. [I don't know for certain that the Pulitzer is accessible -- my most recent stay there was in August, but I don't recall the entrance.]

I'm not at all sure whether trams or any of the canal cruises are chair-accessible -- you might want to contact them if you need to be sure.

We stayed at the Moevenpick and enjoyed it very much. It's a very modern hotel so of course it has elevators.

It is not "beside the station" but some distance away. Therein lies what might be the problem for you.... it's a bit of a walk. But they do have a shuttle that is free and runs to the station every half hour. There is also the tram as has been mentioned.

In your case I'd use Google maps Streetview and take a virtual walk around not only the Moevenpick but any other hotel that interests you. You'll get a good idea of where you would be comfortable staying.

BTW... Amsterdam is one of the best cities for using Priceline's "Name Your Own Price". See the Netherlands forum at Tripadvsor... there are 2 very long threads called "Bidding one a 4 star..." and "Bidding on a 5 star..." You have a lot of lead time so you can study up on how and when to bid... $100 or less for a 4 or 5 star hotel is worth the time spent in research in my opinion. :^)

I'd stay at the Mövenpick. There's a tramstop across the road from it. If you cut through past the library (a great place to visit in its own right, by the way) you'll be right in the Zeedijk/Nieuwmarkt area.

The problem with some hotels in the canal area is that sometimes it's quite a distance to a tram stop. Pulitzer is such an address.

Some rooms at the Pulitzer are less accessible. Pulitzer is spread out across a couple of canal houses: if your room is in one of these, you might face levels or stairs.

Thanks to all of you for your replies; I am gathering great info from you. I have learned that while the Pulitzer is supposed to be great, it's not as accessible as one might want. So we are caught between the Moevenpick and the Dylan Hotel at the moment. Dylan is pricier, but more centrally located to sights. i will check out the Andaz and see what it is like. Anyone out there stay there? Perhaps we are overthinking the " where we stay" part. Just trying to add a little ambiance to what is around us, I guess.

Yep, I think you're overthinking it. Public transport from Mövenpick is good, with a tram every 10 minutes, to Central Station. It's nice to be on the IJ as well and to have Java Eiland and KNSM Eiland nearby: these are interesting areas too, off the beaten path though.

All trams now have level flooring and are accessible without steps from the platform.

By the way, Mövenpick is next door to BIM huis. Which is a great location for a sundowner with full views of the IJ and its traffic. Magical at sunset.

http://bimhuis.nl/cafe-restaurant

My issue with the Dylan, nice though it is, would be is that you'll be midway between tramstops of lines that go anywhere. Check it out on Google maps: either you'll have to walk to Leidse straat for the number 2 or 5 trams (to Rijksmuseum) or you'll have to walk to Raadhuisstraat for trams 1, 14, 17 to Dam for instance. If you want to go to the Anne Frank house, your nearest tramstop will be Westermarkt/Raadhuisstraat and from there it is a shortish walk to the Anne Frank house, but from the Dylan, you'll have to walk the entire distance: check out google maps to see if this is something you're prepared to handle. Basically, every day will begin and end with a considerable walk. You'll have to factor that in, I think.

My issue with the Dylan, nice though it is, would be is that you'll be midway between tramstops of lines that go anywhere. Check it out on Google maps: either you'll have to walk to Leidse straat for the number 2 or 5 trams (to Rijksmuseum) or you'll have to walk to Raadhuisstraat for trams 1, 14, 17 to Dam for instance. If you want to go to the Anne Frank house, your nearest tramstop will be Westermarkt/Raadhuisstraat and from there it is a shortish walk to the Anne Frank house, but from the Dylan, you'll have to walk the entire distance: check out google maps to see if this is something you're prepared to handle. Basically, every day will begin and end with a considerable walk. You'll have to factor that in, I think.