xgapeach1

My husband and I are traveling to Amsterdam and Paris in late April of next year. We have Paris all figured out, but this will be our first trip to Amsterdam. We're looking for a hotel that is "old world" - - (think Casa Fuster in Barcelona, Ritz in Madrid, The Palace in New York, etc.) and would love suggestions. Also, any tips for foodies to dine in Amsterdam? We also want to take a trip out to the tulip fields....haven't read anything about it yet, but hope to get some Fodorites to lead the way. We always trust word of mouth over guide books. We will only have 3 full days and hope to find a personal guide for a city tour on day 1. We can do museums on our own, unless we hear otherwise. Thanks, Forum Friends.

PalenQ

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm

a thread I and others relay our favorite Amsterdam things.

Old world hotel then the American Hotel is a venerable old upscale ornate hotel right in the heart of things -

http://www.edenamsterdamamericanhotel.com/en/

To tiptoe thru the tulips check out the Keukenhof - the flower show of the year by Dutch flower growers - only on in April and May - take a train to Leiden then frequent shuttle buses right to the Keukenhof Gardens - and if you want to tiptoe thru the tulips walk around the area outside Keukenhof as you'll be in the midst of miles of undulated flowers - tulips and other blooms

http://www.keukenhof.nl/

As for city guide - consider taking the canal boats that go all around Amsterdam and give commentary en route - do this first IMO to orient yourselves.

tom18

We loved the Hotel Aalders. Near to museums and convenient to a tram stop. Nice hotel, in a pretty residential neighborhood, good breakfast, friendly staff.
http://www.hotelaalders.nl/en/

jamikins

Our b&b highly recommended this Indonesian restaurant and we lived it so much we have been back 3 times!

http://sampurna.com

It is right by the bloemenmarkt on Singel Canal

jamikins

You said you wanted a hotel but I will throw out this fantastic b&b in a traditional house that we stayed at http://www.boogaardsbnb.com

The hosts are fantastic and location is great!

PalenQ

chinese-Indonesian restaurants are a great food treat in Holland - famous for the Rice Table (Rijstaffel) - a feast of many different dishes all spread out so you help yourself and empty dishes are constantly refilled - some are more authentic than others that may be in the tourist areas.

menachem

Rijsttafel is an invention. but Sampurna is as good as they go. Blauw aan de Wal brings a more up to date version of Eurasian cuisine.

http://blauwaandewal.com/

I would suggest you book yourself a table at De Kas

http://www.restaurantdekas.nl/

and I'm hearing good things about Ron Blaauw's gastropub concept

http://www.rongastrobar.nl/

He handed back his two michelin stars to start this.

What kind of guided tour are you looking for? Will it be on foot?

Holly_uncasdewar

My favorite place to stay in Amsterdam:

http://www.estherea.nl

2010

We are just planning our first trip to Amsterdam, too! Hope you don't mind if we follow the replies to your questions. Thanks!

menachem

If I may suggest, if you find a guide, ask him or her to also include "jewish" Amsterdam, the area around Waterlooplein and east of Jodenbreestraat plus the Plantagebuurt. It's a part tourists seldom visit, because they stay within the canal ring, but it's one of the most beautiful and "history heavy" parts of Amsterdam, and it's includes the beautiful and newly restored Portugese Synagogue.

spaarne

<i> First trip to Amsterdam - where to stay, what to do, where to eat, what to see?
Posted by: xgapeach1 on Nov 17, 13 at 11:00am
My husband and I are traveling to Amsterdam and Paris in late April of next year. We have Paris all figured out, but this will be our first trip to Amsterdam.</i>

For a unique place to stay I recommend the Hotel Ambassade, http://www.ambassade-hotel.nl/en/.

For what to do see PalenQ's thread. Also, the Michelin Green Guide to Amsterdam is the best published guide you will find.

For unique eating try the Five Flies, http://www.thefiveflies.com/en/home. Just down the street is my favorite lunch spot in Amsterdam, the Cafe Luxembourg, http://www.luxembourg.nl/en/index2.php. And two doors away is the classic 350 year old Cafe Hoppe, http://cafehoppe.com/.

Try to make it for King's Day, the next generation of Queen's Day. Here is my photo log of five years ago, http://tinyurl.com/55px5p. It is a great party. You will be in time for the blooming of the tulips. I suggest a bike ride from Haarlem, as in http://tinyurl.com/5nwqzp.

I recommend hiring one of the bicycle rickshaws to show you around the city sights and sites. A rickshaw will give you a much better experience than those long crowded canal boats.

I am curious. You have Paris "figured out?"

Cali

We have stayed at the Hotel InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam twice and we loved it both times.

indy_dad

Perhaps not directly applicable to your questions/goals, but maybe a few tips along the way.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-with-kids.cfm