Thanks to all for your help. I think the Jordaan area might work for me based on your assistance and the feedback from my colleagues who have already made this trek. I've emailed 5 inquiries and hopefully will hear back or its off to the Hilton airport for me.

PalenQ, I lived in Amsterdam for 10 years! I always use public transport. Don't go "ignorant fool" on me, mate!>

Well when you said:

<Overtoom is a looooooong way from Rai or Zuid> in reaction to my comment about the much closer Lelyland station it seemed you may not have heard of that station, which did surprise me, as did you statement in a previous thread that the Jordaan did not have any canals!