I will be in Amsterdam with my husband for 5 nights in June. I am having a hard time finding a hotel with AC in a pretty, central location with cafes, restaurants etc . I would like to spend no more than $300 per night. I have looked at the Estherea and the Toren. They are both a little above our range, which we would do, but the rooms are really tiny. I know European hotels have small rooms, but these are really small! To upgrade would add a great deal of money. I hope Fodorites can help me with this problem.

Since the weather there is rarely very hot many of the moderate hotels in Amsterdam just don;t have AC - besides the fact that many are in older buildings not amenable to it.

Are you sure you will need AC?

If so - and you want a central location that is pretty and has large rooms I would suggest that you increase your budget - which is only moderate for Amsterdam.

Have you checked out kayak.com? There are several 4* hotels with AC listed within your price range - but naturally you would have to check on room size - and only you can decide how central you want to be - and how pretty the surroundings.

Frankly, I think you're going to have to give on something.

You may not like B&Bs, but if you want space and location you might consider Maes B&B (http://www.bedandbreakfastamsterdam.com/). My friends and I loved it there -- we almost never left the block to eat and were in easy walking distance of the station and many attractions. They have everything from small rooms to suites to apartments and offer a nice breakfast too. Our room was particularly neat but not for everyone -- tiny room with fantastic view of the gardens behind the homes on our block, and an enormous bathroom with jacuzzi tub at the top of a tiny ladder staircase.

We stayed here and just loved it. http://www.boogaardsbnb.com/

It is well located, walking distance to all of central Amsterdam and lovely hosts. We would definately stay here again.

We stayed at the Eden American Hotel when we were in Amsterdam in May 2009. We were glad we had AC, but being from TX we are "conditioned" for it whereas we have noticed folks wearing sweaters when we are sweating!

Anyway, we stayed in a deluxe room for a bit less than $300 and it was large with a wonderful balcony. Our friends stayed in the classic (regular room) and though smaller, it was fine. The hotel is in an area with lots going on - the canal boat tour is right out the front door --- as well as bars, cafes, shops, etc. We rented scooters from a place around the corner from the hotel and scooted all over the city.

We are going back to Amsterdam in May and I debated staying at the Eden American again, but opted to book a room at the Swissotel just to be in a different area this time.

Check out the Hotel Inntel in the city center... Stayed there many (8) years ago and it has all the features you have requested. Good location, AC, and reasonable rates. Basic room size was smallish but for $300 you can probably upgrade.

I suggest the Sonesta hotel, which is located in one of the most historic parts of Amsterdam.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/hotels...otel-BR-1.html

Their rates vary, but are usually around €200 per night.

Another hotel in a top historic area is the Pulitzer hotel.
http://www.hotelpulitzeramsterdam.nl/

Both hotels offer top service and are a few steps away from restaurants, museums etc. etc.
Forget AC, you hardly need it. Instead enjoy the wonderful historic atmosphere of this wonderful city.