Hello, guys, I came upon "Prins Hendrik hotel" and the description says "close to the swinging centre". Is it what I think it is? Should I stay away from that area?

I can't find any reviews anywhere! The hotel is listed on Venere.com - is this website dependable if I reserve a hotel (either this or another one) through them?

Here's a more complete description:

http://www.hotels.nl/amsterdam/prinshendrik/

If you are thinking it is in the red light district, it is not. It faces the Central Station.

My favorite area of Amsterdam (which is a lively young town) is the canal district.

By the way, that site has lots of user reviews for that hotel.

Thank you, Dorma, this link is very helpful!

I will keep looking

You might also check out www.channels.nl for map locations and reviews.

Not sure exactly what you're looking for, Faina, but I stayed at the Estherea this past April and it was a very nice hotel. About a 5 minute walk SW of the dam square, so not far from the train station either, but not Right There.

http://www.estherea.nl/estherea_content.html

Probably better rates on bookings.de

I vote for Maes B&B. A great place in the Jordaan area. Great owners and staff. Very helpful with suggestions on where to go and eat.

And talk about an ample breakfast. Also, all the guests have free use of the kitchen 24 hours.

Tom

www.bedandbreakfastamsterdam.com

Sigh... I want impossible: a budget hotel in a central area if not without stairs, at least with a lift, and on a tram stop.

Great to hear, Tom. We are staying with them next week.

We also stayed at Maes B&B and enjoyed it very much. Loved the location, the breakfast, the hosts.

I missed what the budget is... how much per night, and single or double?

If you're asking me... single, $100-150, the less the better.

tripadvisor has reviews. Estherea is very nice, but I think oevr your budget.

I crossmatched these with Tripadvisor comments:

Amsterdam hotels with single rooms for under 120€:
-----------------------------------------------------------
<b>Hotel Fita</b> Jan Luykenstraat 37 Amsterdam 1071
http://www.fita.nl/ Single 90&euro; / Double-single use 110&euro;
Discount of 5% per night offered, after 3 nights

<b>Hotel Singel</b> Singel 13, Amsterdam 1012
http://www.singelhotel.nl/ Single 107&euro; including breakfast

<b>The Bridge Hotel</b> Amstel 107-111, Amsterdam 1018
http://www.thebridgehotel.nl/ Single 110&euro; including breakfast

<b>Hotel Residence Le Coin</b> Nieuwe Doelenstraat 5, Amsterdam 1012
http://www.lecoin.nl/indexEN.html Single 110&euro; but breakfast is 9.5&euro;

<b>Leidse Square Hotel</b> Tesselschadestraat 23 Amsterdam 1054
http://www.amsterdamcityhotels.nl/ Twin 117&euro;