In A'dam, would you rather stay in Jordaan or near Vondelpark?
Jun 17th, 2005, 05:50 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In A'dam, would you rather stay in Jordaan or near Vondelpark?
I have two hotels to choose from. I've already been to tripadvisor.com- reviews are about the same. Comments?
Hotels are Hotel Acacia's in the Jordaan or
Hotel Parkzicht. Both are 2-star and neither are fabulous, *but* they're about 75-80 E/night.
Any other suggesting are welcome. Thanks!
Hotels are Hotel Acacia's in the Jordaan or
Hotel Parkzicht. Both are 2-star and neither are fabulous, *but* they're about 75-80 E/night.
Any other suggesting are welcome. Thanks!
Jun 17th, 2005, 07:00 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
I don't recognize the names of your two hotel choices, but we just returned from Amsterdam and loved it there. Click on my name above and you can find my trip report which includes recommendations for the hotel where we stayed and good restaurants and cafes.
The Hotel Residence le Coin, where we stayed, had twin rooms for about 105 EU, and it's in a great central location. See my report for details.
In general, I remember the Vondelpark area as being very upscale, quiet and nice. The park sits between the museums and the symphony concert hall, so it's a very nice location. It depends which direction the hotel is and how far from the park you are, but overall it seemed to be a good location, but not the most central and not on a canal.
The Hotel Residence le Coin, where we stayed, had twin rooms for about 105 EU, and it's in a great central location. See my report for details.
In general, I remember the Vondelpark area as being very upscale, quiet and nice. The park sits between the museums and the symphony concert hall, so it's a very nice location. It depends which direction the hotel is and how far from the park you are, but overall it seemed to be a good location, but not the most central and not on a canal.
Jun 17th, 2005, 07:01 AM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd definitely recommend giving Priceline a try for Amsterdam. I recently returned from a trip to Amsterdam and actually split the bid for my stay so ended up staying in two separate hotels (which wasn't a problem or I wouldn't have split it in the first place).
If you bid 4* for the City Centre/Museum zone the most likely hotels to come up are Marriott, Renaissance or Le Meridien. See www.betterbidding.com or www.biddingfortravel.com for hotel lists and check you would be happy with what could come up.
I stayed in the Marriott and the Renaissance. I preferred the Marriott, both in terms of the rooms and location but both hotels were perfectly fine for our stay, particularly for the Priceline price.
You may well get a hotel on Priceline for the price you are considering for your 2*. That was certainly the case for us.
If you bid 4* for the City Centre/Museum zone the most likely hotels to come up are Marriott, Renaissance or Le Meridien. See www.betterbidding.com or www.biddingfortravel.com for hotel lists and check you would be happy with what could come up.
I stayed in the Marriott and the Renaissance. I preferred the Marriott, both in terms of the rooms and location but both hotels were perfectly fine for our stay, particularly for the Priceline price.
You may well get a hotel on Priceline for the price you are considering for your 2*. That was certainly the case for us.
Jun 17th, 2005, 07:42 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 2 star hotel experience in Amsterdam was one thing that did not endear me to the city.
I would pick a 2 star as far away from the city center as feasible with public transportation commute times in mind. The closer to the city center the more the lower end hotels become flophouses for pot heads. I realize that's a broad, sweeping generalization. I am sure (I hope!) that there are some exceptions. Yet the many low-star hotels I stuck my head into while checking out my theory contributed to my belief. I wouldn't even hazard to guess what a centrally located youth hostel is like.
I would pick Vondelpark over Joordan for this reason. It's out a little further but reasonably close to the city center.
Priceline is a good idea if you can get a deal. For example the 4* Sofitel in the city center had a gorgeous bar, beautiful lobby and appeared pot head free.
I would pick a 2 star as far away from the city center as feasible with public transportation commute times in mind. The closer to the city center the more the lower end hotels become flophouses for pot heads. I realize that's a broad, sweeping generalization. I am sure (I hope!) that there are some exceptions. Yet the many low-star hotels I stuck my head into while checking out my theory contributed to my belief. I wouldn't even hazard to guess what a centrally located youth hostel is like.
I would pick Vondelpark over Joordan for this reason. It's out a little further but reasonably close to the city center.
Priceline is a good idea if you can get a deal. For example the 4* Sofitel in the city center had a gorgeous bar, beautiful lobby and appeared pot head free.
Jun 17th, 2005, 07:52 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
indytravel, what you say about lower-end hotels being flophouses for potheads is certainly the impression I get from reading various hotel reviews at TripAdvisor and elsewhere.
Two apparent exceptions to the pothead hostels appear to be the Shelter hostels which are run by religiously-oriented people and prohibit drugs and smoking.
Two apparent exceptions to the pothead hostels appear to be the Shelter hostels which are run by religiously-oriented people and prohibit drugs and smoking.
Jun 17th, 2005, 07:56 AM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
indytravel brings up a good point. Amsterdam is a city with an absolute dearth of good mid-range accommodations. It's not Paris, with dozens of decent 2 and 3 star places to choose from. Having said that, what I've heard about the Acacia is that it is rather spartan but clean. And the Jordaan is a lovely area.
How about the Bridge Hotel? It's on the Amstel, nice neighborhood. I did not stay there, but looked at a couple of rooms - very plain but clean and wholesome looking.
Hang out in downtown Amsterdam (nearest Dam Square and Centraal) if you want, for whatever reasons you want, but get yourself a room elsewhere.
How about the Bridge Hotel? It's on the Amstel, nice neighborhood. I did not stay there, but looked at a couple of rooms - very plain but clean and wholesome looking.
Hang out in downtown Amsterdam (nearest Dam Square and Centraal) if you want, for whatever reasons you want, but get yourself a room elsewhere.
Jun 17th, 2005, 09:33 AM
#8
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed at the Ramada Inn/Suites near Vondelpark in late april for 109e/night. It was a great room, wonderful view, walking distance to most sites or the #2 tram was a block away and very convenient. It was not a 'european' hotel but had a king sized bed, large size by european standards, clean and comfortable.
Jun 17th, 2005, 09:39 AM
#9
I'll chime in because I chose a popular budget 3-star in Amsterdam & as above was was not particularly impressed. A'dam is one city I would up my hotel budget a bit if I returned.
For the original question, I loved the Vondelpark area, but never made it to the Jordaan so have no comparison for you.
For the original question, I loved the Vondelpark area, but never made it to the Jordaan so have no comparison for you.
Jun 17th, 2005, 10:33 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Jordaan is one of the most pleasant areas in any city that I've ever been in -- an absolute joy to stroll around and enjoy fascinating buildings and canals. However, I would guess that any 2* hotel there would be way less than pleasant.
Priceline is a reasonable alternative for Amsterdam, but remember that you always run a set of risks with Priceline. (For example, you can't change or cancel, you might wind up in a more remote location than you want, you're very likely to get the least desirable rooms in the hotel where you stay.)
Priceline is a reasonable alternative for Amsterdam, but remember that you always run a set of risks with Priceline. (For example, you can't change or cancel, you might wind up in a more remote location than you want, you're very likely to get the least desirable rooms in the hotel where you stay.)
Jun 17th, 2005, 11:30 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Vondelpark area is a little bit more upscale and green; the Jordaan is a fantastic funky center city area. I don't know those hotels, but here's one right in between the two (plunk middle of the city, by the flower market) for 85 euro/double I can recommend. Smallish rooms, some a little bit dark, but very clean:
http://www.hotelbrouwer.nl/rateseng.html
http://www.hotelbrouwer.nl/rateseng.html
Jun 17th, 2005, 11:38 AM
#12
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TXgalinGA, take frequent looks at www.bookings.org . I've been doing that for Amsterdam, and new hotels show up with different offers all the time. I booked the 3* Best Western Lancaster for a rate of 64.5 Euros per night including breakfast and VAT (but excluding city tax). The room has full facilities. The reviews are mostly reasonable, although it's a little out of the city center across from Artis Zoo. We'll see how it goes. I couldn't find any reasonably priced hotel closer in that fit all of my requirements.
Priceline is certainly a good option also. I've gotten a 4* counteroffer of $94 for August weekend dates only, and a counteroffer of $103 for a 5-day period. Then there are taxes and fees. My guess is that the first is the Marriott, and the second the Renaissance, based on bid analysis of other posters, but I can't be sure of course. However, I don't want to spend that much at this point.
Priceline is certainly a good option also. I've gotten a 4* counteroffer of $94 for August weekend dates only, and a counteroffer of $103 for a 5-day period. Then there are taxes and fees. My guess is that the first is the Marriott, and the second the Renaissance, based on bid analysis of other posters, but I can't be sure of course. However, I don't want to spend that much at this point.
Jun 17th, 2005, 12:19 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UPDATE: Yea!!!! Got the Marriot Amsterdam for $100/night!!! So excited-it seems like it is in a great location. *And* we were going to pay $94 for a shoddy 2-star. Yipeee!! Now, I need to work on getting our rental car. Should I try Priceline again????
Jun 17th, 2005, 01:25 PM
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TXgalinGA - that's great news. I'm glad the Priceline option paid off for you. You will have a great stay in the Marriott. It's a good hotel in a great location and for the price you paid, it's an excellent deal in a city like Amsterdam where accommodation isn't cheap. Priceline can be really rewarding when you get decent 4* accommodation at 2* prices.
I can't help you with a rental car but can advise that you will not need or want a car in Amsterdam. I assume it's for another part of your trip?
I can't help you with a rental car but can advise that you will not need or want a car in Amsterdam. I assume it's for another part of your trip?
Jun 17th, 2005, 01:57 PM
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have to correct myself- we're actually paying $90/night for the hotel!!! ($299 total for three nights including taxes)
AND- got the car!! Major thanks to the person that rec Andrew (Betsy, I think???) We got a GREAT car (BMW or a Merc), picking it up in Colonge and dropping it off in Munich, 1 week for $284. The trip is coming together- thanks to everyone who has helped out so far!!
Lauren
AND- got the car!! Major thanks to the person that rec Andrew (Betsy, I think???) We got a GREAT car (BMW or a Merc), picking it up in Colonge and dropping it off in Munich, 1 week for $284. The trip is coming together- thanks to everyone who has helped out so far!!
Lauren
