We will be in Amsterdam for 2 days in July 2005 and would appreciate some help in narrowing down the hotel choices.

Before my short list of hotels, here's what we'd like in a room:

Would like to walk everywhere.
Clean.
King bed (or at least queen)
Not $700 USD / night
Would like a nice view from the room

After spending all afternoon on-line I've narrowed it down to the following:

Swissotel
Banks Mansion
The Park Hotel
Hotel Toren
Nh Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
Renaissance
Marriott

I appreciate all the help I've received from this site over the years & I promise I'll leave y'all alone about the hotel thing after this!

Much thanks,
Deb

check out www.channels.nl for hotel reviews

We stayed at the Renaissance last March for 4 days and it was fine. Rooms were spacious (3 in one, 2 in another), staff very helpful. Great location on a canal, definitely within walking distance of anything - Ann Frank, shopping, restaurants, tram, Red Light. Definitely recommend.

I have been to Ammy (as we affectionately call it) 8 or 10 times. I would NEVER stay in a hotel again. We rent apartments. On top of being less expensive than the hotels, you live like a true Amsterdammer, have tons more room, and a big kitchen. No comparison. Check out this site, and you'll totally understand what I mean:

http://www.piedaterreproperties.com/

Do you have a map to see the locations of the hotels around the city? I ask because I loved the Leidseplein and Vondelpark districts, but didn't much care for the central area (I've only been to Amsterdam one time for five days, so am certainly no expert, but this was a very strong impression).

Allof your hotels seem to be top of the line luxury hotels - how can you go wrong? Location means little in Amsterdam unless you're driving as parking is very expensive and even hard to find in the city center as central historic Amsterdam can't be more than 3 miles by 3 miles, with most things of interest in a much smaller area. By train of course something close to central station, may be important. (There's an IBIS, equivalent of Holiday Inn, right on a platform of central station!

We adored The Canal House. It more than meets all of your requirements and at a fraction of the cost.

TC -
I looked at Canal House but found a few posts (here & elsewhere) talking about the mildew-y, damp accomodations. Did you find that to be the case?

Not at all. We thought it was charming, well run, served delicious breakfasts, a great location, attracted interesting guests and a good value. We had the large room at the top, front overlooking the canal. Its the one pictured on their web site with the big wheel in the ceiling - used to haul furniture up from the street. I can't recall the room name. This is more a B&B than a full service hotel however. I'm not sure of your needs. There was always someone at the front desk to assist, but it surely doesn't offer the amenities of a Swissotel. It is a "walk-up" - no lift.

I've stayed in Krasnapolski a few times, and like it, though it's not my favorite area. The cheapest rooms are very small and not nice, so don't go for those. Their breakfast is great; huge buffet in the winter gardens.

I like the Pulitzer, in a series of canal houses. I you have a room in the front, you will overlook the canals.