We are going on a river cruise leaving from Amsterdam but want to spend 2 or 3 days there prior to the cruise. Can you tell me what area we should book so that we are able to walk or have easy access to the museums, galleries etc. Hotel recommendations would be appreciated as well. Haven't done any research so far but always start with Fodors boards!

I stayed at the Toren when I had a few days layover on my way home from Africa. You may not like the hotel--I did but it's quite "designed," lots of blacks and reds--but I thought the area was great for walking around, right by the Anne Frank House, the Westertoren (West Church) and close to the Jordaan. I would look nearby if you don't care for the appearance of the Toren. The Estherea is close and often recommended here, though a bit pricier I think.

I found Amsterdam extremely pleasant, attractive and easy to navigate.

http://thetoren.nl/location.php?lang=EN

http://www.estherea.nl/

Enjoy your trip!

Oops, sorry, I meant to type Wester<b>kerk</b>. The mind, it rattles...

The Hotel Nadia and the Pulitzer are nearby and often mentioned favorably here too.

WHo and how many is "we". And what is your budget? Amsterdam has hundreds of hotels - many centrally located.

"Who" is 2 active seniors looking for a 4* or so. $200-$250 US.

Thanks

trav...you may want to step up a bit and try The Seven Bridges, alongside the quiet Regulier Canal...can walk to many sites...near the Rijk's Museum and the diamond district.
Elegantly apopointed, superb bkfsts. We've stayed there twice and enjoted it very much...our family has stayed there also.
http://www.sevenbridgeshotel.nl/cms/

stu

Oops..noticed they now charge dearly for bkfst. About twice what is was when we were last there. There are several rstaurants open for breakfast in the vicinity if I recall.
However, a stay there is an experience

The Hotel Ambassade on Herensgracht is centrally located, very nice, and unique.

Consider the Moevenpick... it's right at the cruise terminal.
We stayed there and my wife especially loved it. It's not that far from the main sights... a 10 minute stroll to Damrak or take the free shuttle to Centraal Station. There's a tram stop at the front door plus a hop on hop off canal boat stop next door.

What's more, you can often get it for in the $100 range using Priceline's NYOP. See http://www.betterbidding.com for more info and advice. Look up the "Bidding on a 4 star in the Centrum" on the Netherlands forum at TripAdvisor.com

Thank you everyone. I do use Priceline and wanted to get some ideas before bidding.

We shall have only a few days in Amsterdam and wonder how long a walk it would be from say the railway station to the Rijksmuseum?

donkat take a tram - it is about 15 minutes by tram from CS. Considerably longer, but doable, on foot.

Google says the walk is 33 minutes. I'm a reasonably fast walker and could probably make that time, but I know a lot of people don't like walking quite as much as I do. Trams looked easy and plentiful.

We recent;y stayed at the Amstel Intercontinental and we loved everything about this hotel. Our room was huge and lovely and the staff was very accommodating in every way. ( I was injured while in Europe and on my way back to the states for treatment and could not get around easily) Hope you enjoy Amsterdam and your cruise.

Thanks Cali will Cali will check that one out.

Whoops!! don't know what I did there.

We stayed at the NH Amsterdam Centre on Stadhouderskade near Leidseplein and were quite pleased. Got it on Priceline for quite reasonable rate (about $100/night IIRC) bidding 4* in museum area. Room was not large but quite adequate and very nicely furnished with also smallish but well fitted out bathroom. Breakfast (additional charge) was great and staff efficient and friendly. Well located, close to trams stops and walking to museums, parks.

I don't know when you're going, but we enjoyed La Remise. It's a very elegant B&B, not too far from the Rijksmuseum. The townhouse has three bedrooms, very minimally but beautifully furnished, and includes an expanded continental breakfast. www.laremise.nl Rates are around 140 - 165 euros.

Two of the bedrooms are on the second American floor, and the smallest is on the top floor, next to the dining area. If you're an early riser I guess the smallest would be OK, but if not, at breakfast there will be people right outside your door - just an FYI.

We're also in our 60s and fit, and loved this location. We walked all over, and took one of the nearby tram stops into Dam Square. Easy walk to the museums - in fact, we preferred this location because it was quieter and closer to the museums and park, as well as many nice restaurants.

It does have a typically VERY steep Amsterdam staircases, on which we were very careful!

A lot of Amsterdam guesthouses and b&bs have stairs. We Dutch do not always consider them steep. (Joke!) But anyway: there are a lot of excellent rated b&bs and inns in Amsterdam, a lot of them rented by owner and not as expensive as hotels. You could check www.weekendhotel.nl or http://www.tripadvisor.nl/Hotels-g18...nd-Hotels.html

Stayed at the Estherea and found it incredible, comfortable room and very charming hotel. Good location and excellent staff.