HAarlem or Amsterdam?or points beyond
 

<BR> Message: My husband and I are going to arrive in Amsterdam the last weekend of<BR> June via the airport, later in the evening. Does anyone have a suggestion or two<BR> for a quiet place to stay in Amsterdam or points closer for a night or two?thanks, for any helpful hints--we have not been to the Netherlands.<BR>

If you search for "Haarlem" you will find some comments thereon, including some from me. I found the main square in Haarlem far from quiet on weekend nights, particularly Sat. night, as the locals party literally most of the night.

There is a much-praised B&B in Haarlem - of course I forget the name. Someone will surely post it, or check the 'Rants & Raves' department! Haarlem is close to A'dam but quieter & cheaper, also closer to the Floriade & Keukenhof (flower gardens/shows). You can take the train to Haarlem from the airport (about 15 min.).

We stayed in Amsterdam at the Hotel Agora on the Singel Canal close to the Flower Market. It was very nice and quiet, too.<BR><BR>We went to Haarlem. There are several hotels on the main square. It was not at all quiet when we went there. A large loud carnival took up the whole square!<BR><BR>I doubt that the square is very quiet at any time- it is really not very big and there are quite a few hotels and restaurants on the square.<BR><BR>We liked Haarlem, visited the beautiful church and were very interested in the Carrie ten Boom house, a Christian version of the Anne Frank House- The Christians who lived there were the head of the underground who found safe hiding places for Jews and as a result were themselves imprisoned in Concentration camps - all but one died in them.<BR><BR>We did not have time to go to the Frans Hals museum there.<BR><BR>It is just a 15 minute train ride from Amsterdam. We were very impressed with the Amsterdam transportation system. Just step out of your hotel- get on a tram and ten minutes later you are at the train station where the trains run on a very frequent and convenient schedule.

The Amsterdam Hilton is a little out of the way, but it is on a canal and very quiet. The staff was very friendly, and we really enjoyed our stay there.

Thank so much for the positive replies! I hope they continue as the time approaches toleave--thank you thank you

I recently went to Haarlem for a brief stay at a magnificient little gem of a place: the Spaarne 8 (which is also the address). Only 2 rooms in this little B&B, but the service and ammenities are wonderful. Here is their website: www.spaarne8.com. A truly memorable experience!! Very romantic! <BR><BR>

Is it worth it to go to Haarlem for the day? We are staying in Almere.