Amsterdam hotels
 

We are four adults in our late 50's/early 60's traveling to Amsterdam together for a week in March. Two in our party want to take advantage of the Hilton's winter rates to have club access, etc. I'd prefer to stay in the canal ring or museum district (most likely at the Estherea). Could any of you comment about the pros of staying at the Amsterdam Hilton (the Waldorf is too pricey)? I'm not keen on staying in a big box hotel in the outskirts of town, but maybe I'm misjudging it and the location is better than how it looks on a map.

Thanks in advance for your sage advice.

It isn't the outskirts of town, but is a bit away from the canals it's true. A quieter area with easy access into the centre.
The "big box hotel" is actually on the monuments list and protected.

Know nothing about the Hilton. We stayed in the Estherea and loved it. Would stay there again.

The hotel's page says its 15 minutes from the Museumplein. Looks like just a few blocks from the tram line - which are easy to use. Perhaps you are going to other cities and could compromise. If the prices are good compared to staying in other hotels you've looked it, then I would stay there, but staying within the canal ring is very special.

It's not that bad location although I would choose a place much closer to the center personally unless I am staying on my company's expense.
If a member in your party is not used to walking many miles, you would need to learn to use the public transit system, which is excellent. Just get a multi-day unlimited pass https://en.gvb.nl/ontdek-amsterdam/g...meerdagenkaart , often even sold by high-end hotel reception, and learn to use the check-in/out system. If your group is not a public transit type, you might have a problem as it is a hassle to get around even by taxi. The traffic congestion is very bad during the day.

I took my hotel advice from Ballad of John & Yoko:

Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton,
Talking in our beds for a week.
The newspapers said, "Say what you doing in bed?"
I said, "We're only trying to get us some peace".

Hotel was cheap on Priceline, breakfast very pricey, and trams convenient.

(I also favor Paris'Hotel College du France because Thin mentioned it.)

Hilton also has a bit of history as former lover of someone in the Dutch royal fàmily was shot there - or something like that,

John And Yoko were there in 1969. You can rent their room.

The widow of Prince Johan Friso was supposed to have had an affair with Kees Bruinsma before she met the Prince He renounced his right to any claim to the throne in order to marry her.
Kees Bruinsma was shot by the hotel, in 1991.

Herman Brood killed himself by jumping from the roof, in 2001.

If the price is good, better than in the centre then go for it. You may even appreciate being in a quieter area.

In the Canal Ring we really enjoyed the Hotel Ambassade and it's location on tne Herengraxht Canal.

Stayed at that hotel for business after a weekend within the canal ring. I loved the Hilton as much as the canal ring. You can easily access the centre by tram, the hotel is in a quiet quite posh area of the city with good restaurants and shopping close by and the outside bar at the hotel is lovely...wide steps leading down to a canal. Had a glass of Chardonnay and some apple pie there every night one May and it was very pleasant. Easy taxi access to Schipol also. I wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

<i> Amsterdam hotels
Posted by: internetwiz on Dec 10, 16 at 10:30am</i>

For a good location and the antithesis of "big box" try the http://ambassade-hotel.nl/.

Glad to see this discussion. I have a res at the Estherea in May. Friends just returned from Amsterdam and stayed i the Leidesplein (sp?) area. They said it was so noisy at night they had to wear their Bose noise cancelling earphones and still didnt get much sleep. This was in mid November! Are the canals really that noisy? Is Estherea in a quieter area? I know its on a main canal. I would have a courtyard facing room. Any experiences with noise at this hotel? I didnt see any reviews that mentioned noise problems.

Thanks!

Leidseplein is noisy - it is the main area for nightlife.
SIngel will not be as noisy.

Thank you hetismij2!

I concur re Ambassade. You might look at the Pulitzer and the Torens.

I think it would depends where exactly in the Leidseplein your hotel was located as to the noise situation. It's a large neighborhood.

To the OP I definitely would want to stay right in town. Amsterdam is a large city so even if you are somewhere central, there's still plenty of walking and tram taking you'll be doing.

At the Hilton you have Beethovenstraat around the corner. A pro, I'd say. Leidseplein is horrible. Apollolaan, where the Hilton is, is much nicer and it's a pretty posh hotel. I went to many extravagant wedding parties there and the odd bar mitzvah haha. Oud Zuid is much nicer to stay than is the centre of town. Public transport is excellent and you'll have very easy access to the big museums.

Don't wanna box? Treat yourselves to the cozy, beautifully-presented <b>Seven Bridges</b> smack on one of the smaller, quieter canals. Very residential area, walk to the Rijks Museum, the Diamond District...most anywhere of interest in the city. The Regulier Canal gives you a view of seven bridges, hence the name.

We discovered the small inn about ten years ago, loved it and have since sent several of our family onto it. (They all still talk to me!)

The hosts are delightful people and service is impeccable.

https://goo.gl/photos/RVUAkuXcXVcetp3KA

SEVEN BRIDGES, PHOTO #2

The Amsterdam Hilton isn't a "big box hotel", but that has been pointed out already.

tower,
I also love the Seven Bridges Hotel. Stayed there for a week about 10 years ago and found it perfect. Breakfast was huge (lots of bread).
Did you ever eat at the tiny Italian restaurant on the nearby corner? Not sure it's still there but I found it delightful and delicious.

Zoe..no didn't get to it..but about two or three blocks toward The Dam, there is a wonderful old restaurant that manages to plow onward with excellent vibes. We loved it for it's authentic Dutch dishes and seafood/fish dinners..and its inviting ambience.....<b>SLUIZER's,</b>.

I just looked at that restaurant. I wouldn't call anything on it's menu authentically Dutch, apart from some of the ingredients, but as long as you enjoyed it that is the main thing.

het....alas, unlike several Fodorites I sure as hell ain't no blooming foodie nor were either of my two wives..if we enjoyed the offerings, the service and the ambience, and were not stiffed on the prices, and would be keen to return, happy are we. Tra la la... and Bon Apetit! And no photos of each course, please.

Sluizer is an Amsterdam institution, because for decades it was the only fish restaurant in town. Nowadays there are several, but Sluizer has never really updated. It's of mediocre quality, but atmospherical enough.

It's not everyone's cup of tea... but we liked the Pulitzer. Check it out on Trip Advisor.

tower, That you enjoyed it is recommendation enough, I just pointed out that it is not authentically Dutch food, which is what you said it was. I have no idea of the quality of the food, I haven't eaten there.

It doesn't look like internetwiz is coming back to this thread.

het...thanks for clarification. OP's disappearance is nothing new on these forums. Rather poor manners when we take our time to help them. Have a good holiday season.

Sorry for the delayed response. My computer's been down and I'm finally able to get back online. I was able to convince my travel partners to stay at the Estherea, so that's what we're doing.

I appreciate everyone that weighed in about the Hilton. It sounds pretty nice, but for me, I'd rather stay by the canals in a smaller hotel.

(And tower, I did look at the Seven Bridges, but I believe you had to prepay for the room, something I'm hesitant to do. And if you click on my profile, you'll see that I'm much more active on the Asia forum, but I've been on the forums since 2003, so not exactly a fly by night Fodorite.)

internetwiz,

I hope you do a TR,because my trip is in early May. I will also be staying at the Estherea so will really look forward to hearing how you liked it! :-)

We are in Amsterdam now, using our Hilton points at the Doubletree Centraal Station, which is very well located for getting around. We arrived at Schipol airport, took the train right from the airport to Centraal Station, and walked two minutes or so to the hotel. Trams, trains, and boats are all around us. We took an evening Water Colors cruise as part of the Amsterdam Light Festival to see light pieces installed to be seen from the water. Had an excellent Chinese meal at a floating restaurant (yes, here in Amsterdam!) right across the street from the hotel. A big Starbuck's is right downstairs. No club here, but breakfast is free at the hotel restaurant and bottled water is available free at the front desk. We like this location and will stay here again.

Sorry, I just noticed that you'll be in Amsterdam in March -- long after the Festival of Lights is over.

Better late than never, but Dayle, I hope you liked Hotel Estherea as much as we did. It was in a perfect location, the breakfast was good, and the all day coffee/tea/hot chocolate was a welcome treat.