Looking for a bed and breakfast in Amsterdam or Haarlem but most popular ones on this site and on tripadvisor are booked - The Collector and Boogaards. Any other recommendations please?

Maes B&B. Many positive reviews here. We enjoyed it and the location in the Jordaan.

http://www.bedandbreakfastamsterdam.com/

Another vote for Maes. We stayed there last summer and liked the neighborhood. A word of caution; if stairs are a problem you'd better look someplace else.

Thanks! I've sent off a reservation request to Maes.

I stayed at Hotel Kap in Amsterdam; it offered a very nice breakfast in the room price.

Thanks Suze. I'm actually looking into bed and breakfasts for my friend and her daughter for their first trip to Amsterdam and I thought a bed and breakfast would be less expensive for them as well as providing them with a homier environment and a proprietor who will give them info and tips about the city.

Good thinking Lily.

If your attempt at Maes falls short I suggest doing a google for B&B in Haarlem, Leiden, and Zandvoort. Also use keywords pension and zimmer in place of B&B. Due to the popularity of B&Bs some hotels are starting to call themselves B&Bs.

BTW, Tripadviser does not publish any reviews of the small one room B&Bs. These are always the cheapest and friendliest places to stay. They are usually owned by a retired or widowed woman who rents out a room in her house for nearly peanuts. Some city tourist offices have listngs.

We loved Boogaards!

Thanks for the heads up hopscotch. I noticed that about tripadvisor. I have an email in to the Haus de Kiefte in Haalem but I will also try Leiden and Zanvoort and I'll try the city listings as you suggest. And thanks Maude but Boogaards is booked up. They did give us some other suggestions which we are exploring including the B and B Amsterdam and Barangay's.

FYI- my friends have booked Maes Bed and Breakfast in Amsterdam for 115 Euros per night. Thanks for all the recommendations!

We are at Barangay right now and can highly recommend it. The hosts Wimmo and Godwin are gracious and have been most helpful. We have the two rooms on the top floor. Perfect for a family. Rooms are clean and comfortable. We will stay here again when we return.

Just curious...on the Maes B & B. I see they have a cat. Has anyone's cat allergies acted up when staying there?

We stayed in Hotel Hestia on the recommendation of a fodors member, and it was absolutely perfect, its in the Leidseplein area,very reasonable and most comfortable, with a lovely family always there running the place.

http://www.hotel-hestia.nl/

Thank you, lucielou!

I have been searching for a nice ,affordable hotel in Amsterdam for days. I've just booked the Hestia.

We stayed at http://www.citycenter-amsterdam.com. It is a lovely bed and breakfast located in the centre of Amsterdam.
Rated top bed and breakfast in Amsterdam. Give a look: http://www.citycenter-amsterdam.com/guestbook.html

I have stayed at the hotel Zandbergen twice and really enjoyed it. The location is in a residential area just on the outskirts of Vondel park and right on tram line 2. Henk, the owner is a great host.

http://www.hotel-zandbergen.com/

Hello, I've stayed at Maes many times in the past 8 years and never had a problem with alleries due to their house cat, which I'm highly allergic to. Their place is spotless, and Ken & Vlad run a wonderful B&B at a prime location. Matter of fact, I'm returning for Queen's Day and of course I'll be staying at Mae's!!!!