Spending 2 nights in Amsterdam in Sept. We are an American couple early 50's. Not sure what area to stay in. Would like convenience -- but not total insanity/congestion. Where would you recommend we stay?

Hi Pamo. We were in Amsterdam in April/May this year. Love that city. We stayed at the RENAISSANCE Hotel, which is in the lovely Joordan district. Just a few blocks from a good size supermarket, go around the corner & there's the canal, can walk to Dam Square & the train station & Anne Frank Haus, more residential, & not all the crowds. Great service. We loved it.

Address is Kattengat 1; Amsterdam, 1012 SZ, Netherlands; Joordan district; Euro178 + tax per nite senior rate (per Marriot site got AARP rate); king bed, nonsmoking, early checkin, low floor;
800-468-3571; 31-20-551-2034; 31-20-621-2223; VISA guarantee; cancel by 6pm day of arrival or 1 nite fee (E178); [email protected]; Marriott.com;

Some friends stayed at the Marriot south of Dam Square; it is less expensive; good location & they liked it.

Good luck, Julie
p.s. I imagine you know about tripadvisor.com also?

hi Pamo:

we are oartial to the charming, boutique inn...The Seven Bridges, on the Regulier Canal. Walk everywhere...quiet neighborhood, yet close to the sights. Many of our family and friends have also stayed here on our recommendations. It may our stays in Amsterdam that much more deliightful.
Above all, enjoy your visit.

Stu T.

http://www.sevenbridgeshotel.nl/

Typos...(where's an editor when you need one?)

"partial" in first sentence.

"It made our stay"...etc.

stu t.

www.thegrand.nl

I like the area near Rembrandtplein. Hotel prices can vary drastically depending on events and seasons and when youbook, and you haven't listed a price range. We found the Best Western Eden to be extremely convenient and of acceptable quality - but look at the reviews before deciding.

I loved the Hotel Fita when I stayed there in May for six nights. It's not downtown with all the hubbub around the Dam et al., but it's still central, next to Museumplein. Two minutes' walk and you're at the Van Gogh Museum. It's a quiet, safe area, and there's a tram stop nearby in front of the Rijksmuseum that goes straight to the train station and stops at central places like Leidseplein, etc.

The prices are reasonable, it's a nonsmoking hotel, and it's clean clean clean. Family run in an old building (steep stairs but there's an elevator). Fabulous breakfast included (English style with bacon, eggs, toast, pastries, cereal).

www.hotelfita.nl I believe is the address, or if not, it's easily googled. It's very popular, I think.

I second Hotel Fita. We were there beginning of June and really enjoyed the place. Really good breakfast and very clean rooms.

I just checked out this Hotel Fita. Looks very nice but I notice in the facilities they mention a complimentary Play-Mate in the bathroom. Can someone explain what this is before my mind conjures up all kinds of things.

We love the Jordaan area as well---lovely canals, restaurants, shops, greenery---and relatively calm despite being near Centraal Station, Spuistraat, etc. We stayed in a WONDERFUL apartment, but it has a three-night minimum. Will post about it when I get my information together.

Absolutely love the Canal House in the Jordaan neighborhood. Just around the corner from the Anne Frank House.

I have stayed here 3-4 times and each time it is a pleasure.

Http://www.canalhouse.nl

We have always enjoyed our stays at the Hotel Washington just east of the Museumplein. Very quiet neighborhood but easy access to everything.

http://www.hotelwashington.nl/

There are reviews on the Fodor's Hotels section as well.

Yikes, that last rec. was rather expensive (but very nice, no doubt)...
Good areas would be anywhere along or just outside of the 'canal ring' on the map. So the Joordan, Museumplein, around Vondelpark, etc... Avoid Dam Square, Damrak and Centraal at least, if you don't want congestion.

I have no idea what I did - I thought the last note before mine was for the Grand Hotel (Sofitel) !! Hotel Washington is very reasonably priced.

I also recommend Seven Bridges and Canal House. Both have lots of character and are well located. If I had to pick one over the other, I would choose Seven Bridges. It is truly a special and unique hotel. Try the small Italian restaurant just down the street- excellent food and atmosphere. I can’t remember the name, but it is on the corner, just down the block from Seven Bridges.

Zoe

Merlot, the playmate is an innocent little rubber duck with Hotel Fita printed on it!!!

I like the Leidseplein area, and out around Vondelpark. Also various canal rings. I don't care for the Central area so much. I've heard nice things about The Jordaan but have not been there myself.

Zoe: I don't recall the Italian restaurant, but just around the corner from the 7Bridges are two old and excellent houses..."Sluizer's", next door... "Sluizers Fishrestaurant"..

http://www.sluizer.nl/indexeng.html

Stu T.

A strong second for the Seven Bridges Hotel (they also have an apt. next door). A lovely hotel in a perfect location: charming, beautiful views of multiple canals, quiet, convenient, etc.

They now (FINALLY!) have a website!

http://www.sevenbridgeshotel.nl/

Like they say on the website: USE THE TELEPHONE to contact them and for any questions. In spite of the fact that there is an email address, I suspect they wouldn't know what to do with an email if it was printed out and handed to them. Don't email them.

All that aside, the staff is extremely helpful, accomodating, etc. Perfect English to boot. Call them.

We also like the Leidseplein area, and out around Vondelpark, We stayed Hotel Hestia on a recommendation of a fellow Fodorite, and found it to be very nice, and good value for money.