Anyone have an input/experience/first hand information on any of these? We want a small, charming, clean, canal house, and would prefer not to spend more than $ 150 a night. Many thanks for any information.

We were there in August. Started out staying in Weichmann, but only stayed 30 mins. The twin beds actual went to the floor when you sat on them (no boxsprings), the bed spread did not look clean, and everything look old and worn. The phones did not work so we had to walk downstairs and use the pay phone The hotel entry was dirty and full of smoke (the owner's wife chain smoked). Very unfriendly staff/owner, unwilling to give us another room without increasing the price. We moved to the Canal House for the same price. Canal House gets great reviews on this site. We paid 130 Euros which included breakfast. I would go with Canal House.

Also try the Estherea and Ambassade.

I have stayed at the Weichmann several times over the past 5 years.. it's just a simple hotel. You can either wind up with a more modern room, or a room with more period furniture- less comfortable but larger. I believe every room has a private bathroom.

The hotel has the very narrow and steep staircases (no elevator) typical of Dutch homes. This may be a serious issue for older travelers and people with special needs, or large/heavy luggage.

The Weichmann is on the inexpensive side of hotels (in Amsterdam). My family has stayed in several hotels in Amsterdam that were really no better, but cost twice as much.

I don't really think that the color of a bedspread or the age of the furniture makes a big difference for most vacation travelers. I just want a clean, convenient, safe, and inexpensive hotel to sleep at night. I'll be out all day seeing the city. Business travelers have different requirements and the Weichmann wouldn't be the place to stay if you were hosting a business event.

The location is absolutely fantastic.. and the front rooms have a beautiful view of the Prinzengracht canal, while the rear rooms are very quiet (important for hollidays). I can not say enough about the location. This is a very very nice part of town-- lots of excellent smaller resturants, a short walk to the clubs, museums, Dam square, etc.

The dining room where breakfast is served has many large windows. It sits on the corner by a bridge and is a lovely place to have breakfast and watch the locals ride their bikes to work in the morning.

Breakfast (included) isn't what Americans would expect.. and is typical European fare with cerials, boiled eggs, cold cuts, coffee, tea, oj and the like. We found the convenience very welcome after a long night out on the town. (Gary's Muffins is just down the street if you need to get going early)

Even with its' downfalls we keep coming back because of location and value. The staff has always been helpful and they are very knowledgeable about what is going on in and out of the city. The owners speak English, Dutch, German and probably a few additional languages.

I have always wanted to stay at the Canal house but have never been able to get reservations to work out... Everyone agrees that it is fantastic. Be aware that the Canal House is a much more expensive hotel and really isn't at all comparable. A double room at the Weichmann is the same price or less than a single at Canal House.

Fortunately Rapples, there was no price difference in Weichmann and Canal house for a double room, both charged 130 Euros. Also, my complaint was not the color of the bedspread, but that it did not look clean. I suppose the timing has to be right. We called Canal House and they had available rooms that same day, although I would not try to get a room at the last minute without having reservations before going. I cannot comment on the breakfast, we didn't stay that long. All summed up we were much happier with the move. There quite a few hotels within that price range, maybe not in the same location.

Clea

We'd still love some input on the Singel, Nes and Prisengracht! Any first hand knowledge is welcomed.

Canal HOuse - great place - great rooms - great berakfast - great view - great location. Need I say anything more

I just posted a reply on the Canal house -my absolute fave! Just click on my screen name & read it for the Amsterdam post!

Hey there, check out

http://www.bookings.nl

I've got some great deals on hotels in the Jordaan through them. Accurate write-ups on hotels too, if you just want to get more opinions on specific places . . .
HTH

Note that hotel websites usually try to charge the full amount, meanwhile the discount sites are giving big reductions for the same rooms.For A'dam try bookings.nl
You should have no probs at that price range.
I like the hotel Doelen in Nieuwdoelenstaat at the other end of the old town from the redlight.Space is tight in A'dam, this place has more than most.