Amsterdam in The Netherlands is truly one of my favorite cities. I’ve visited many times and really like how the entire city center is preserved intact, with most buildings dating back at least 300 years. Walking down the streets and canals, you really get the feeling of what that must have been like in the 17th and 18th centuries.
As a tourist city, there are many hotel options, but I would always recommend staying in the city center, not in surrounding neighborhoods. I would also avoid staying in the Red Light District as hip as it may sound, and also avoid the area directly around Amsterdam Centraal Station, the main train terminal. Here are my recommendations for great hotels in Amsterdam:
My favorite – Amsterdam Marriott
While Amsterdam has many small, quirky hotels, I’ve always liked the Marriott. It’s right at the center of the action at Leidseplein, one of the city’s main squares. It’s has several tram stops right out front that can take you to any corner of the city. The rooms are clean, stylish and quiet. I suggest getting a room overlooking Leidseplein, the lights of the city are great to look at after a long day of sightseeing. The hotel is also within walking distance of the great museums as well as the PC Hoofstraat, a stylish shopping street. Room rates start around $235.
Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
Stadhouderskade 12 ยท
Amsterdam, 1054 ES Netherlands
marriott.com
Budget choice – Flying Pig Hostel
The Flying Pig Hostel is an Amsterdam experience and is a fun, cheap way to visit the city. This is not for quiet people and if you go, you will make friends. The hostel is also the center of backpacker fun and networking. Queen size dorm room beds start at $22. per night, with private rooms from about $60. The hostel has two locations a downtown location off Dam Square and an uptown location near the Leidseplein. I would go with the uptown location.
Flying Pig Hostel
Vossiusstraat 46
1071 AJ Amsterdam – The Netherlands
flyingpig.nl
Luxury choice – Hotel Pulitzer
If money is no object, there is only one choice for me in Amsterdam, the fabulous Hotel Pulitzer. The hotel is located on the Prinsengracht canal, always the finest address in the city. The name means “Prince’s Canal” and the area was once home to royalty. The Hotel Pulitzer is made up of 25 restored townhouses from the 17th and 18th century. They’ve been combined to form an amazing hotel, filled with modern luxury and conveniences, yet packaged in a historic wrapping.
A canal-view suite provides the ultimate in luxury, some even have their street entrances, like having your own Amsterdam apartment. The hotel has a gym and all the usual amenities, along with a fabulous restaurant. Suites start at around $750. per night. For fun, spend some time cruising the canals aboard the hotel’s own boat, “The Tourist”, a restored classic cruiser. Private rental is $385. per hour.
Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam
Prinsengracht 315-331
Amsterdam 1016 GZ, The Netherlands
pulitzeramsterdam.com
Freddy Sherman is a world traveler and editor of the travel blog travel4people.com. You can follow him on twitter, @thefredsherman
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