A couple of days ago my husband learned that his company wanted him at the IBC convention in Amsterdam in Sept. (after telling him he would not need to go for two months). Since there was time for me to get a reasonably priced flight, we decided we'd take some vacation and I'd go along. I knew hotels were going to be a problem that late and during IBC (even a post on this forum last year mentioned it), but I didn't realize how bad it would be. I have never spend so much time looking for a hotel room, made so many inquiries, or been so universally "rejected" as in the last 36 hrs.

It was looking like the best I could do - short of 300 Euros a night and up - was the BW Beethoven Sept. 7-9, some apartments associated with Joop's in Haarlem the next three days, and then move to the BW Lancaster in Amsterdam again the last 5. (Or an extra day in Haarlem and 4 days at LeCoin. Or stay at an airport hotel the whole time, which would really be bad!) But just a few minutes ago I checked my e-mail and had an offer for the entire 10 days at a new (April opening, according to the website) B & B called the Blue Moon. It's directly across the canal from the Rijksmuseum, which seems a good location. But, of course, I can't find any reviews for the place since it's so new.

On the off chance somebody knows it, I thought I'd post a query. Or ask if anyone knows another nice B&B that practically no one else in the world has heard of, thus might have a vacancy. Just about everything under 200 Euros I've seen recommended on this forum is booked all or part of the time.

the Blue Moon's location sounds good, at least. Have you tried the Hotel Residence le Coin? We liked it in June. If you click on my screen name above, you will find our trip report of London-Paris-Amsterdam, with specifics about the hotel and restaurants we liked there.

Here's their website: http://www.bluemoon-amsterdam.nl/ Rooms look OK, if a wee bit garish. Did you see their special offer of a massage if you book for three nights? Does that mean you'd get three massages if you book for ten nights? I'd probably go ahead and book there. The location is really good. If you do stay there, please report in when you return.

Maureen, Le Coin had the last 4 days of the stay, so that meant two nights in Amsterdam, then to Haarlem for 4 nights instead of 3 before we could come back to Amsterdam. I have gotten 5 more rejections since I posted last time, so I'm thankful to have gotten the Blue Moon, (I hope), though I'm holding onto the first two nights and the three Haarlem nights for a couple more days just to be safe.

We are looking at 3rd floor at the Blue Moon (I assume 4th floor US), which doesn't overjoy me. My most vivid memory of my previous trip is Dutch stairs. But the owner tells me that the stairs aren't as narrow or steep as those I remember from my last trip many years ago. Still, I will certainly think for a few minutes each time I leave the room to avoid forgetting anything and having to go back up. And a few extra trips up and down will be a lot better than moving between 3 hotels in 10 days - in the same city, yet.

Betsy, he says we're getting 2 massages. (Will I need my legs done after a few days of the stairs?) Seems like we should get 3 but then my husband and I would have to fight over the 3rd. Since we're getting the queen bed room, I think it must be the one on the website that's VERY YELLOW. Might take sunglasses just for that. Didn't see any sign of a chair, a dresser, wardrobe, closet, etc., so I'll hope for the best. But at least the room won't be as small at the one we stayed in in Athens in May (luckily for one night only). I'll certainly post info when I get back (if I'm not blind from the yellow walls).

Yes, Maureen, I will check your trip report more carefully now. I've really only glanced at ones - or sections of ones - having to do with hotels. I spent nearly all day Fri. and Sat. searching hotels and e-mailing queries. After a break to relieve a condition I am calling "mouse elbow", I'll start researching what to do after I get down the stairs. I'm so thankful to have discovered the usefulness of this forum about 6 mo. ago. It's been 34 years since I was in Amsterdam the summer my husband and I trotted off to Europe for 11 weeks when we were in grad school - with a copy of Frommers Europe on $5 a Day!!!! Does that date me or what? Anyway, it's a good guess things have changed a lot and I get a lot of good information here.

Polly, regardless of accomodations, I'll bet you'll enjoy your visit to Amsterdam. We were very impressed with the contemporary, fabulous restaurants we found there (names and addresses in my trip report). And the friendly atmosphere, safe streets, lovely canals. Have fun!

polly229, how about Priceline? There may or may not be good deals for your dates. But if there are, it's a good way to get a good deal on a 4* hotel. See previous posts here and http://www.betterbidding.com and http://www.biddingfortravel.com .

We're staying at the Best Western Lancaster this week, and I'll report back when we return in September. We were fortunate to get a special promotional rate of 64.50 Euros per night including breakfast. But that's way under the normal price.

We got that price through www.bookings.org .

Amsterdam is so full for the IBC show -people reserve a year ahead, more if they can - that I had serious doubts about Priceline. Didn't find anything without bidding and was afraid I'd have to wait so long that I'd really be in trouble - or in Utrecht. I don't know how many rooms there are in Amsterdam, but 40,000 people attend the show. When I was researching hotels on this forum Fri. I came across a thread last year from somebody who was trying to find a room during IBC and was told by several people that they might have to go to Haarlem, which was how I got the idea to check there. But even most of the Haarlem hotels were full. Although my husband isn't working the show daily, he will have to go to several evening functions and to the show at least once during the day, so I didn't want to get too far out. (A number of the hotels on the convention list, 15 pages of small type printed out, are in Utrecht and other somewhat distant towns.) I was very naive to believe I was going to find something good, quickly. Rates are high, too. The rate you got at the BW Lancaster, WillTravel, is less than half what they are charging Sept.7-9 and 12-17 - and no availability 9-12. And that was the only Amsterdam hotel I found that had anything the night of the 12th. (I'm not counting the 10-bed-dorms-john-down-the-hall places and 350-800 Euro hotels, both of which seem to have plenty of room. )

I'm a "Priceline virgin" but will need to try it, I think, for NYC in Nov. Boy, have hotel rates in midtown Manhattan gone up in the last two years!