My DDIL asked for my help to find "a hotel in Amsterdam, near the city center, that is not 'out of this world' expensive". It would need to accommodate two adults, a four year old, a 14 month old, and a one month old. Don't tell her, but I think they're nuts to travel with that adorable brood--but that isn't what she asked me! Thanks.

I recently took a trip with my elderly mother and we were very comfortable in the NH City Centre, and I thought it was simply an exquisite location for getting everywhere plus a variety of budget-friendly restaurant choices -- especially considering my mother is a light eater.

But the MAIN REASON I picked that hotel is because it has an ELEVATOR, and the problem with MANY Amsterdam hotels is that they are in canal houses with steep, narrow, spiral stairs that are dark to boot -- and I would not want to take children and strollers on such steps.

The NH City Centre not "out of this world expensive", but Amsterdam hotels usually don't come cheap, and B&Bs usually have staircase problems. I don't know if the NH City Centre have family-sized rooms.

There is more than one NH hotel in Amsterdam. The one I am talking about is on the Spuistraadt.

I don't know if houseboats are truly kid-safe, but you might ask around about that.

Bicycle traffic in Amsterdam poses a real hazard to all pedestrians unused to paying attention to where it is coming from. If I were shepherding around small children, I might consider staying in a somewhat less busy location, like Haarlem or Delft. But you didn't ask me that!

How long are they staying for? When are they planning on visiting? What is out of this world expensive?
Maybe an apartment would be a better idea? Or a bungalow park near Amsterdam - Zandvoort maybe?

We enjoyed our stay at the Hestia, near Vondelpark, the Van Gogh and the Rijk museums. It was also very convenient for transportation options. They have a triple at 176 E and probably could add a cot for the littlest Baby . Even a double with 2 cots might do.

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

Sorry I meant a triple with 2 cots

Thanks for the info--I will pass it along to my DDIL.

There are reasons I won't bother going into that make a large city a better choice for them.

They would like to go this coming weekend. I don't have any details about their price point.

What would be a good way to find an apartment? VRBO? Other websites?

Ah, a bit short notice for an apartment I fear.

They need to do a search of hotels in the centre, and go for a fairly modern one, which will have lifts and big rooms. They should then check that the hotel will allow two babies and a four year old in one room with their parents. It may not be allowed in a normal room for instance.

Hotels in Amsterdam are expensive though.

Ordinarily I would agree with hetismij about such short notice for an apartment, but the volcano may have upset the apple cart -- but for better or worse when it comes to accommodations, I don't know, but I can imagine some renters got stuck with cancellations so it might be worth a try.

That said, I'm not an expert on finding Amsterdam apartments. I'd just start with the obvious sort of google searches.