Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [96]
Doelen Nieuwe Doelenstraat 24 020/554 0600, www.nh-hotels.com. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Muntplein. Famous as the hotel where Rembrandt painted The Night Watch(see "Room 12"), and with a stately elegance about it that might appeal if your budget won’t stretch to the Hotel de l’Europe along the water. It’s smaller than it looks from the outside, and has a nice breakfast room overlooking the water. Doubles €220–300, not including breakfast – though deals abound, especially at weekends.
France Oudezijds Kolk 11 020/535 3777, www.florishotels.com. Five-minute walk from CS. A friendly hotel located on a tiny and little-trafficked canal just off the burgeoning Zeedijk; both the lobby and the rooms have been redone in a brisk Ikea style. Its decent-sized doubles range between €95 and €195, with bath and breakfast; wi-fi access is free in every room.
De Gerstekorrel Damstraat 22–24 020/624 9771, www.gerstekorrel.com. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Dam Square. Pretty functional rooms, and at €169 for a double, not really cheap. Still, much of the time you will pay less than this, and as there are no common areas you get to eat the inclusive breakfast in bed whether you like it or not. No lift.
Grand Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 020/555 3111, www.thegrand.nl. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Dam Square. Originally a Royal Inn dating from 1578, and after that the Amsterdam Town Hall, this fine classical building is one of the city’s architectural high points, and now part of the Sofitel chain. The rooms are large, well appointed and boldly decorated in crisp, modern style. There are all the usual facilities you would expect from a five-star hotel, including a spa with indoor pool and Turkish bath, and a Roux brothers restaurant on site. Official rates start at €420, excluding five percent tax and breakfast, which is a whopping €30 extra, but special deals are abundant.
Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Dam 9 020/554 9111, www.nh-hotels.com. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Dam Square. Located in a huge, striking mid-nineteenth-century building, this four-star hotel occupies virtually an entire side of Dam Square. Its rooms are attractively decorated, if unspectacular, and doubles go for €200–250 (no breakfast), though bargains are sometimes available.
Hotel de l’Europe Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2–8 020/531 1777, www.leurope.nl. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Muntplein. One of the city’s top hotels, it retains a wonderful fin-de-siècle charm, with large, well-furnished rooms, an attractive riverside terrace and a great central location. Standard doubles are €445, and an extra €50 for a river Amstel view, but this is about as luxurious as the city gets and last-minute bargains are plentiful. At the time of writing they had a major renovation and expansion coming up.
Hotel de l’Europe
Hotel des Arts Rokin 154–156 020/620 1558, www.hoteldesarts.nl. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Muntplein. This hotel’s 22 rooms are cosy and well furnished and the welcome is friendly. Prices start at around €138 including breakfast, though the larger canal-facing rooms are around €158.
Le Coin Nieuwe Doelenstraat 5 020/524 6800, www.lecoin.nl. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Muntplein. In a good location opposite the swanky Hotel de l’Europe, but a quarter of the price, with doubles starting at €139, and breakfast an extra €11.50. All rooms have kitchenettes and are kitted out in contemporary style.
Misc Kloveniersburgwal 20 020/330 6241, www.hotelmisc.com. Metro Nieuwmarkt or a 10min walk from CS. Very friendly hotel on the edge of the Red Light District with six good-sized rooms, each elegantly decorated in a different theme. The bright breakfast area overlooks the canal and is great for people-watching. Wi-fi connection. Rates start at €145, including an excellent breakfast – great value.
Nes Kloveniersburgwal 137–139 020/624 4773, www.hotelnes.nl. Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Muntplein. Pleasant and quiet hotel with helpful staff. Well positioned away from noise but close to shops and nightlife. The size and quality of the rooms can