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Best area to stay in Amsterdam for a first time visitor

Best area to stay in Amsterdam for a first time visitor

Old Dec 9th, 2017, 06:21 AM
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mrt
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Best area to stay in Amsterdam for a first time visitor

Going to Amsterdam this summer for 2 or 3 nights. Since I want to see as much as possible which is the best area to stay?
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Old Dec 9th, 2017, 07:08 AM
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It's a relatively small city, so you can see "as much as possible" from practically anywhere. We like the Jordaan neighborhood.
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Old Dec 9th, 2017, 07:37 AM
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As StCirq says it is a fairly small city, so just look for somewhere in your price range, and check on a map where it is.
Just make sure you end up in the right country
Amsterdam is in the Netherlands, not Belgium.
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Old Dec 9th, 2017, 08:01 AM
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I would suggest Utrecht. Not far away and much nicer than overtly touristy Amsterdam
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Old Dec 9th, 2017, 09:23 AM
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We loved Amsterdam. Our family of four stayed 5 nights at the Hotel Residence le Coin. We had never been to Amsterdam, and found this location to be perfect.

http://www.lecoin.nl

It's on a nice smaller street, across from the Hotel l'Europe, with cafes on the canal.
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Old Dec 9th, 2017, 09:28 AM
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Just to add for those now reading this thread it was originally tagged Belgium.
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Old Dec 9th, 2017, 10:48 AM
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I've stayed near the Museumplein. A tram into the center at the end of the street. Very happy spot. Hotel Aalders. Wonderful breakfast and elevators.
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Old Dec 9th, 2017, 12:17 PM
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I think this may depend a bit on your pocket book. I like the hotels just slightly out from the chaos of Summer tourism.In July it was jam packed where you almost could not walk on the sidewalks in the inner city, not pleasant. The Delphi Hotel is on Appolinaire (check spelling, but close) and this is a little boulevard in a quiet/nice part of Amsterdam. It is on the tram line and about 5 min to the VAn Gogh Museum and Rijks Museum. this is a less expensive hotel, but not cheap,, not so big, clean and in a nice neighborhood. Has a nice breakfast. i've gone back here about 4 X and you might like it. Get room on boulevard and get directly from their website, not middle men. Get trolley ticket and you can ride all over Amsterdam from here. Sue
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 12:54 AM
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Sue81, for the nth time

APOLLOLAAN

Especially because you've been back 4 times.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 09:02 AM
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Yes I quickly realized I should have put Netherlands rather than Belgium.
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Old Dec 10th, 2017, 01:23 PM
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Hotels on canals with rooms facing the canal are precious and pricey but for a few days splurge - the Joraan area is perfect for that and walkable to nearly everything.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 02:02 AM
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Jordaan doesn't have many hotels.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 05:17 AM
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Another vote for Hotel Aalders. It’s a simple but comfortable hotel on a quiet street near the Museumplein. Well situated for sightseeing.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 06:42 AM
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I think there are quite a few hotels in the Jordan - yes, canal views are pricey but most hotels have a variety of rooms. We stayed near the Central Station one time - much too busy! Out by museumplein, or any that area that requires a tram ride in, would not be my first choice but better than the central station area. Certainly would not stay out of town, even Haarlem, if you can afford to stay in the city. Can you tell my pick would be the Jordan?
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 06:51 AM
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I'd look at Haarlem as a nice friendly commute especially if family. If just a couple the area near (but not in) the red light zone is fine, a fair few boutique hotels, local restaurants and quiet canals.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 06:57 AM
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I liked the Jordaan area, too - it's been a number of years since we've been there, but we stayed in the Maes B&B, and really enjoyed the place and the location. It's more upscale than when we stayed in 2006, but there are some hotels and more B&Bs in that area.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 08:28 AM
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There may be good reasons to stay in Haarlem, Utrecht or another nearby city when visiting Amsterdam but for a first time visitor like the OP who is there for 2 or 3 nights I can see no compelling case for doing so. To get the most of Amsterdam, stay there. On future visits certainly consider staying further afield.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 11:14 AM
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Are we talking about the same Jordaan? Booking lists about 3-4 hotels in the area. (that's the area between Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht, Lijnbaansgracht and Elandsgracht)

One of the drawbacks to Jordaan is that it is a public transport wasteland. I used to live on 2e Lindendwarsstraat, and for most trips I had to walk to Central Station to be near public transport.

There used to be apartments for rent there, but since the crackdown, less so.

Again I'm plugging Pension Homeland at the old Navy Institute. Bonus: they have a very good restaurant on site and the place is a haven of peace in a busy city. A 10 minute walk and you're at Nieuwmarkt.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 12:04 PM
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Yeh a canalside hotel further south than Jordaan would be more centrally located for walking to many sights. Also investigate house boats though I think many of these could be in the Jordann. But if a walker then Jordaan is not that far from any major sight really as central Amsterdam is very compact.
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Old Dec 11th, 2017, 01:02 PM
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I would stay near tram lines 2 and 5 if possible. We have stayed all over the city but since we mainly go for museums and like the ease of getting into and out of the city the train/airport provide we try to stay near these two lines.

Up to you obviously
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