cshellen

Hi there,

I'm a single girl in my 30s headed to Amsterdam this August and I'm looking for a unique hotel or B&B.

I'm going for the art & architecture (not the nightlife), so something safe with a bit of history & character would be great.
I'd like to keep it under $150/night (well under, if possible), and while I'd love a central location, I'm not opposed to creative ideas (e.g. close to a good bus line, they rent bikes, etc.).
(I've already looked at the bigger websites, btw... I'm really looking for individual hotel/b&b recommendations)

Thank you!

bilboburgler

I think its called
http://www.hotelbrouwer.nl/ little wooden rooms overlooking the canal

WTnow

I would go for a houseboat right on the canal! We paid less than amount and had a spectacular one in the very best part of Amsterdam with wonderfully helpful people near by.

It really is THE experience to have in Amsterdam and there is nothing like it.

Here are pics and more info:
http://www.soultravelers3.com/blog/5...C4C5F9121.html

Rick Steves gives them high marks and we were very impressed. Even the taxi driver was impressed with our location as it is the very best in the central area.

Get some out of the world cheese and scrumptious creme puffs nearby and fall in love with the architecture all around and boats going by, feeding ducks and swans, free wifi, do your own cooking or eat out, close to everything with a real local feel.


Cooler right on the water in August too!

artstuff

We enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Agora, a canal house located on the Singel (#462).

http://www.hotelagora.nl/

It is conveniently located just a few doors down from the Koningsplein, where there is a tram stop and a grocery store. Across the street from the Koningsplein is the beginning of the Bloemen Markt (Flower Market) which runs into the Muntplein.

The rooms were nicely decorated with some antiques, the breakfast room was lovely and looked out over the garden, breakfast was standard Dutch (breads, cheeses, meats, juice, tea/coffee) with a soft or hard boiled egg. The owners, Els & Yvo, and the staff were very pleasant and willing to answer questions. The hotel doesn't have an elevator (at least when we stayed there almost a decade ago), but they do lock the lobby door at night (they have an all-night desk clerk who will "buzz" you in). I don't know if they had air conditioning, but I would definately want AC if I was travelling to Amsterdam in August. Peace, Robyn >-

cshellen

Fantastic ideas everyone - those are exactly the kinds of places I've been looking for!

Bilbo - did you stay at the Brouwer? I love the building's history and the pictures look great.

Travelnut

The Brouwer has grown in popularity as it has become more known... you can check on Tripadvisor, too.

suze

I stayed solo at www.kaphotel.nl

I prefer the area out around the Leidseplein and Vondelpark. I felt the true "central" area was a bit sketchy and not as pretty. I would not have been as comfortable there in the evenings, as I was out in the canal rings district.

suze

re HOtel Kap, I would spring for a room with a private bathroom... some of the singles have private showers but share toilets down the hall. I'm not remembering if this place is air conditioned, which you'd probably want in August.

TRSW

I highly recommend Maes B&B. It is in your budget and the owners and staff are great. www.bedandbreakfastamsterdam.com

Tom

Fibonacci2358

I will endorse http://www.hotelpiethein.nl/ in the Museum District. I've stayed there twice and it's easy to reach on public transportation. (Train from the airport, tram from the main station)
Single rooms are 86-99 euro on their website.

cshellen

I can't believe it... usually I get one or two responses that are just what I'm looking for, but literally every one of the places you've all suggested are PERFECT! I've finally booked my flight, so I'll just check availabilities and let you know the winner.

Thanks again SO much (and I definitely caught the tip about air conditioning... good idea)!

cshellen

Thanks to EVERYONE! It looks like the Brouwer won. It had everything I wanted, yet only costs me 55 euros per night.

I have a feeling I may swelter, but I couldn't find a hotel with charm, affordability AND air conditioning, so I'm sacrificing air. Please, global warming, give us a break this summer!

bilboburgler

In reply to "did I actually stay" no but my partner did as part of an extension to a visit we made together so I saw the rooms, the weird spiral staircase and owners who were very nice to her. All very pleasant. The area is on the edge of the red light zone (but note that this is a legal, honest activity in the country) and has some good restaurants in the area. Victoria ate breakfast in the hotel (I think) but one supper was in a greek deli( with tables) you follow the canal to the south a short way and other restaurants are over the first bridge to the south turning west. No names 'cause I was not there.

NativeNewYorker

Hotel Weichmann on the Prisengracht, in the Jordaan section. Stayed there 3 years ago. It's a small canal house with a beautiful breakfast room with canals on 2 sides. It's not glamorous, but it's also not expensive. Great character. Location, on a scale of 1 to 10, was an 11. I would go back in a heartbeat!

delawhere

Where is the houseboat your talking about and I do I get in touch with the owners?

europesthebest

There's a really cool studio apartment which shares a dining area with the apartment below it, Bikkers Boven, so if you're going alone you have an excuse to socialise with your neighbours.Its in your budget. The area is very arty, in the old shipping district, with an arthouse cinema and old Dutch buildings. You can look for it with this vacation rental online service: www.way2stay.com/Amsterdam-apartments-en-67.html