Amsterdam

[caitlinsjoy]

I want to book a holiday to Amsterdam during Feb half term. We are 2 adults and 2 children who will be aged 8 and nearly 4. I’ve got a guide book so I’m getting a sense of what we’d like to do. But please could I ask for recommendations of where to stay? I think we mostly just want to do sightseeing - walks along the canals, NEMO science museum, that sort of thing. Happy to hear recommendations about anything though!

It depends on your budget but I've stayed in the Pulitzer and it was amazing. The service is fantastic and the rooms are lush. They also have an old canal boat you can book a tour on, which we did. We also ate in the restaurant one night, which was great. It was a couple of years ago so check recent reviews.

Pulitzer Amsterdam | 5 Star Hotel in Amsterdam City Centre

Amsterdam will be sodding freezing at that time, but it's a wonderful city. The Pulitzer is amazing as previous poster said, but big budget spendy.

Rooms are often small, so bear that in mind. Good restaurants need to be pre-booked and will often ask for a deposit at the time of booking. Same with museum and attractions.

What is your accommodation budget?

Just to echo what pp said about the weather - I went in February half term once and the canals were frozen and there was snow on the ground. We had to do all the indoor stuff, of which there was plenty eg Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank house. A’DAM lookout is worth a visit, you get the free boat across to it. Further afield you can always hop on the train and go to Haarlem.
Jordaan is a nice area to stay and easily accessible to all the usual sights. Amsterdam is a super cool city, you’ll have a great time!

Be prepared for it to rain every day in feb…..take waterproofs and have indoor options for activities….can you not go at Easter? Then you could hire bikes and visit the tulip fields……we did this this year ….absolutely stunning…..cycling on bike paths …..options for kids to ride their own bikes or go on seats on adult bikes…..make sure you book everything a few months in advance ….things book up quickly …..Anne frank house was fully booked 4 months prior to our visit….accommodation in the city is very expensive ….we stayed one stop away from the centre on the train and hotels were half the price

I went at Easter quite some time ago and it was lovely and mild. I wouldn't go in February, can you delay the trip until Easter?

We took a decision between old canal house/hotel for typical of Amsterdam, or modern chain.

Ended up with modern chain and stayed in an NH hotel, facing the canal.

Thanks for the advice. I could go at Easter but my boss often takes a week off then so it can be tricky with leave, given we’re a small team and there’s always something to be done. It’s my birthday in Feb half term so I thought the trip would be nicely timed - but you’re all giving me food for thought and I’ll check the weather forecast! We did Disneyland Paris this Feb half term and it was mild so I assumed (naively!) the weather would be similar.

We stayed in Stayokay Vondelpark. Extremely central and good clean family rooms. But a distinct whiff of weed as soon as you hit the park! "What's that smell mummy?" I liked it a lot though, bright and comfy.

The weather in Amsterdam in February is likely to be very similar to whatever the weather is doing in England at the same time. Not noticeably worse, not noticeably better.

like I said …..raining

And when it rains it REALLY rains. But it's Amsterdam in the rain so will still be fab.
Leidseplein area is my favourite

Book for May half term instead if Easter isn't possible.

We stay at the Westcord Arthotel. It's a little bit out of central Amsterdam but you can get to the canal area in 15 mins on the 22 bus or 45 min walk.

A good day out is get the bus to Marken
https://www.introducingamsterdam.com/marken
Then the Ferry to Volendam
https://www.introducingamsterdam.com/volendam
Then Bus to Edam check as they might have a festival on.
http://www.edam.com
Then Bus home
Its a great day out

If you’re driving, then Duinrell, about an hours drive from Amsterdam - has large pool complex and adjacent park