Hi... Planning to go to Rotterdam (by train from Amsterdam) for 2 nights (then on to Ghent and Bruges). Looking for a nice hotel no more than $300/night. Breakfast included would be nice but not mandatory.

Hello, I live in Rotterdam and I can certainly give you some suggestions.

All are in the center of Rotterdam and I've tried to take location into account as well

Motto, on Botersloot. New hotel in the freshly renovated Savings Bank building. Right in the middle of the MaHo quarter with a number of very good local restaurants around the Botersloot/Pannekoek area. It's part of IHG, so it might be favourable points-wise. Around the corner from Markthal and Binnenrotte and close to the Old Harbour area.

Postillion Hotel at the WTC on Meent: Meent is a chic shopping street. On one hand you have MaHo Quarter, on the other end Coolsingel with its shopping and public transport options. Right in the centre of town, but tucked away from crowds all the same

third and last option (there are many)
Bilderberg Parkhotel at Westersingel: at the intersection of vibrant Witte de Withstraat, with good restaurants and bars and Museumpark and with good access to the Nieuwe Binnenweg area

I'm partial to the MaHo area because I live there myself. It is both the oldest and the newest part of the Rotterdam. Very local destinations include Goudse Singel and Industriegebouw with their innovative restaurants. Worth mentioning are Rotonde and Heroine. For pizza: Old Scuola, also in Industriegebouw.

Enjoy discovering Rotterdam! It's unlike any other Dutch city.

Thanks! Will look into these suggestions