Can anyone tell me what is the best area to stay in, in Amsterdam? We will have 5 days, mid October to explore the city and area and are looking for a convenient area to get around in, close to trains, and subways?
Also looking for a reasonable hotel , under $150 in this area as well. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

There are several nice areas for hotels - you really can't go wrong as long as you're not near the Red-Light District - some like to be along canals like in the Jordaan - some locals like menachem and hetismij and others will hopefully see this. You may even want to start a new thread with Looking for Hotel Areas and Hotels in Amsterdam."

Current title may not catch attention of many who could help you - IMO of course.

>>under $150 <<

under $150 = under approx €130 which is kind of low for central Amsterdam (I think your title is fine -- anyone knowing about Amsterdam will see your thread tagged for the Netherlands.)

Read a guide, fire up booking.com or similar.

Again: there are few hotels in Jordaan, let alone "along canals".

Yes, Amsterdam regular hotel prices are higher than that. You might strike lucky (like I did, yesterday) by doing a search on booking the moment you arrive on Schiphol and booking then. But it's a gamble. And you'll find that the more central you want to be, the higher the prices. $150 might get you something okay on the outskirts.

Pal hasn't been in Amsterdam for years (like dozens of years), so don't use his advice for where to stay. Jordaan is a nice neighborhood, but few hotels there. And US $150 is pretty low for A'dam these days. We found a nice apartment (for 4 people) in VERY central area for about 250 euros per night, two years ago, but it had some drawbacks like super-steep stairs and what I would call inadequate kitchen (and I'm not fussy). The Netherlands are expensive.

Pal hasn't been in Amsterdam for years (like dozens of years),> Went to Amsterdam 2-3 times a year for 40 years until seven years ago - mice hotel areas don't change. Certainly as much as St Cirq who has said she hates the city.

A few years ago we stayed at The Hotel The Exchange. It is in your price range, depending on specific dates. It is not for everyone, but it worked well for us. Our room was clean and very well kept. I would not hesitate to stay there again, FWIW.

Botels in Amsterdam

There are a few dozen Botels - boat-tels in Amsterdam

Botels in Amsterdam

so don't use his advice for where to stay. Jordaan is a nice neighborhood, but few hotels there.> St-Cirq simply does not know much about Amsterdam hotels - giving out misinformation - there are many hotels in the Jordaan like link above mentions.

And there are several dozens hotels in the Jordaan - some have canalside rooms. The Jordaan is a quiet old area laced with canals.

Pal hasn't been in Amsterdam for years (like dozens of years), so don't use his advice for where to stay. Jordaan is a nice neighborhood, but few hotels there.>

As for the Jordaan it has at least 85 hotels and remains a favorite of many.Why do folks give out misinformation then call others clueless - 85 on booking.com alone!

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?aid=336408;label=amsterdam%2Fjo rdaan-WWSPhSErLIJrt7z_Vww6hQS260954489248%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1 85%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-

And Expedia/com claims to have more than a 1,000 Jordaan hotels but that my be stretching the boundaries of the traditional Jordaan perhaps.


13813684143%3Alp1019126%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm;sid=8d0a06 d0251ac5458291d43b87f0f01c;dest_id=162;dest_type=d istrict;from_district=1;keep_landing=1;redirected= 1;source=district&gclid=CjwKCAjw8qjnBRA-EiwAaNvhwOxnV7m4KqRxH32u0az9DYOZ_uJdo-ppEIblcOCWRdVbwVHjeKiIfBoCibIQAvD_BwE&

Prinsengracht is not "Jordaan", Pal. Jordaan itself just has few hotels because the houses aren't suited for it.

Several dozen? No way.

The majority of these are illegal apartments tbh. I filtered for "hotels": 8 properties, the majority of which aren't on canals.

they mainly look like hotels in pictures but illegal I guess. But I'd book thru booking.com and feel secure.

I would advise anyone renting a small hotel or rooms or apartment's, etc. to ask before booking if the place is legal and if so get the registration number then check with say Holland Tourist Board on it or how to check on it.

Maybe Menachem, who used t live in or near the Jordaan I believe before fleeing to Rotterdam, is IME the ultimate authority on anything Amsterdam - if he says most of booking.com's hotel listings for Jordaan are illegal then they are illegal - even though many of these places still operate and even thru booking agencies like booking.com - local authorities seem slow to crackdown -same with airbnbs.

Just book a regular hotel, with a good customer rating. There's no special magic to avoiding illegal short stay rental. Just know that 90% of short stay rentals in Amsterdam is illegal.

Curious why short stay rentals that are illegal are not shut down? Easy to find them with listings on Booking.com and many places on there have good ratings.

This has to do with Dutch law. Inspectors know where to find them indeed. But the criminal fact has to be established in the presence of the person on the lease or the apartment's owner. The majority of short stay lets now have something like the RING doorbell installed and guests are instructed not to open the door, or lie about what they're doing in the apartment.