My friend & I are travelling to Amsterdam in late December. We are in our early 30s & are travelling alone, and neither of us has been to Amsterdam before.

Can anyone recommend what area to stay in, and some hotels that are safe, clean and affordable?

Im looking for a place that has 2 beds, its own bathroom. Id like to spend less than $130 USD per night if possible.

Thanks!
Katy

I loved the Leidseplein district and area around Vondelpark (I did not care much for Central around the train station and the RLD, or at least not as a place to stay).

www.amsterdamhotspots.nl was a helpful website for my 1st trip (solo female summer before last ago). I paid 57 euro for a single room but the bath was shared. Next time I'd spring for a bit more for private honestly.

The Eden Hotel is a perfectly fine place to stay, with spacious (if not particularly exciting) rooms with private bathrooms, and I'm pretty sure it's in your price range. It's Best Western-affiliated, so you can check the bestwestern.com for hotel details and price info. It's central and walkable from just about everything, and of course the tram stops right out front.

Katy, You might like Hotel Fita. www.fita.nl It is on a quiet street in the Museum district. I've stayed there several times alone. It fits your criteria.

Try researching these; they have been recommended in the past.

Hotel Kap **
http://www.kaphotel.nl/
Twin / shower 75E

Hotel de Munck **
http://www.hoteldemunck.com/
88 - 98E

Hotel Fita ***
http://www.fita.nl/
115-120E

Hotel Filosoof ***
http://www.hotelfilosoof.nl/
125 - 138E

http://www.bestwestern.nl/eden/
for Hotel Eden.
You might be able to get a twin for 115E in December.

Mentioned above (and where I stayed), twin w/shower at Hotel Kap shares a toilet. But I'm pretty sure some of the rooms had full private baths. The staff & included breakfasts were quite nice there. Location was great.

You're going to have a blast. Museums and strolling around all day, cozy brown cafes at night . . .

Check
http://www.bookings.nl/city/nl/amsterdam.html
I have got some great rooms with them - go for something with a canal view. It's magic to see the lights reflecting through the treebranches in midwinter . . . they have lots of places on the smaller canals, too.
HTH