Where to stay in Amsterdam

[Leftittothelastminute]

Your help is needed! Myself and my partner are due to go to Amsterdam in April/May but we have no idea where is a good place to stay. Ideally for 4 nights in a nice (but not extravagant!) hotel….. looking at about £1200 for the hotel. I’ve found a nice one but it is just outside of Amsterdam but I’ve been told that it’s best to stay in the centre. Please can I have any recommendations. Thanks

Folowing as we are also heading there in April and have yet to book hotel on a previous thread a poster suggested looking over the water from the main station/museums.

We stayed at a hotel called Die Port van Cleve which was near Dam Square - https://www.dieportvancleve.com/ - lovely old building, tram stop right outside the door, brilliant wee supermarket almost next door, away from the red light area and not too noisy.

Skotel was nice - short journey on trams or metro to centre.

Sir Adam - just across the canal from Central Station, really cool hotel (has a karaoke lift and a record player in every room). Really comfortable too.

We stayed in Motel One Amsterdam and it was lovely. Very close to the centre and near good bike hire for getting around.

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?src=hotel&origin=hp&hp_avform=1&hp_avform=1&highlighted_hotels=2686120&rows=20&error_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Findex.en-gb.html%3Faid%3D2378099%26label%3Dolr-gmcc-consentyes%253ACj0KCQiAsNPKBhCqARIsACm01fTo1esFMbDb4Ck8uSlTz9ZzB6yz1VRfMVYc6dfPTeRlGDG7zvqnWvMaAiiBEALw_wcB%26sid%3D946bb574a47b39510d7931fb2d2e011b%26srpvid%3D70334b0ccba8018e%26&aid=2378099&label=olr-gmcc-consentyes%3ACj0KCQiAsNPKBhCqARIsACm01fTo1esFMbDb4Ck8uSlTz9ZzB6yz1VRfMVYc6dfPTeRlGDG7zvqnWvMaAiiBEALw_wcB&sid=946bb574a47b39510d7931fb2d2e011b&sb=1&city=-2140479&ssne=Amsterdam&ssne_untouched=Amsterdam&ss=Amsterdam&checkin_monthday=13&checkin_year_month=2026-4&checkout_monthday=16&checkout_year_month=2026-4&checkin=2026-04-13&checkout=2026-04-16&room1=A%2CA&group_adults=2&group_children=0&no_rooms=1&search_form_id=92ce4b146071011e&sb_travel_purpose=leisure&search_pageview_id=92ce4b146071011e

Came here to recommend this one too. We stayed here for a few days. Walking distance from most attractions and central station. Tram stops right out side. Rituals bathroom products too which were lovely

We stayed in the Doubletree by Hilton near the station this summer. It wasn't my choice but actually the rooms were really nice, we had a view of the canal. Breakfast was amazing! They also have a nice roof top bar - Luminair. Easy walking distance to centre and trams within 5 mins. The Seafood Bar on the Damrak was best dinner spot.

Well I was shocked at the ridiculous prices of central Amsterdam so we stayed in Aalsmeer. It’s a nice area with restaurants and shops and a short public transport ride into Amsterdam itself.

https://www.booking.com/Share-6eEnBg

We stayed in Hotel Mai. Very central and got a good deal. Was a couple of years ago so no idea whether it would be in your budget.

Hotel CC is in a great location, very clean as well. Rooms are a bit small depending on what you book but we was hardly in the room, literally have everything on your doorstep

When we go to Amsterdam we always stay at the airport Ramada. It's on the edge of a small town (Badhoevedorp) which joins on to Amsterdam. There is a pool and a restaurant, and there are some decent places to eat in the town.

You can get into the city by Uber and still save a packet compared to staying in the centre (we sometimes pay not much more than €100/night). Or you can go in by bus, or using the hotel shuttle to Schiphol and then a short train ride.

Being in the centre allows you to stagger in at midnight and go straight to bed, but we find it more relaxing to sleep in a silent modern room.

Thank you for all of your suggestions- I’m spending today looking at them all. In addition to the hotels suggested, I like the look of these ….. https://www.booking.com/Share-aIEMLmS
https://www.booking.com/Share-p0UHJq
https://www.booking.com/Share-XckX9K

Has anyone any advice/experience of any of these?

My sister and I stayed in the Grabd Hotel Amrath for 3 nights. Near the station. It's lovely.

The Pulitzer is a nice location.

We stayed at the Art'otel which is right opposite central station fab hotel and you can use the pool in an adjoining hotel. Easy to get trams everywhere and walkable to red light/ old town and dam square / 9 streets. I tramed to the Rijksmuseum and back from food Hallen. I like staying by the station as its handy to make the most of day 1. Get there, store bags, download a walking tour on your phone and orient yourself or go on a boat trip.

I've also stayed at the ibis right by central station which is great for convenience as we were only there for one night. Breakfast is good in ibis but we also liked eating at pancakes amsterdam on the NJ - back of the station. My room overlooked the train track!

Ive booked my parents into the NH by the Rijksmuseum before. Handy for the concert hall and van gogh museum.

The doubletree near the station is a good one. Go to the rooftop bar anyway even if you don't stay.

My top amsterdam recommendations are: the museum of our lord in the attic, book a rijstafel (Indonesian banquet and an amsterdam "thing": means rice table), Food Hallen, the cafe / bar in Vondelpark, for a drink, familiarise yourself with how to get an ann Frank's house reservation if you want to go as its hard to do and you need to book 3 months in advance so diary the booking date you need. Good idea to book Rijksmuseum or van gogh in advance too so you dont miss out but its a lot of art to do both. Also get a tour to the tulip field keukenhof garden if you are there in the short season around Easter: go early!

I might have to go back...

We stayed in Hotel Okura. It’s really nice and within walking distance of most stuff.

We've stayed at Best Western Dam Square a few times. Nicely central. Ten minute walk from Centraal station. Does the job nicely and within budget.

Do a boat trip around the canals too! Lots of interesting history and they cover quite a lot of ground

I stayed here too recently - it is central albeit near the station and next to a supermarket. Rooms were lovely and service was brilliant. Handy bike rental closeby too. Would definitely stay again. Breakfast was great you could order pancakes made to order.

I stayed at Sofitel Legend The Grand.
it was a great location.

The Clayton American hotel in Amsterdam is lovely but might be just over budget but the bar / restaurant is nice.

The City Centre Leonardo hotel is ok and well within budget (and use the savings to eat and drink in the American bar - just a few minutes away!)

Look at hotels in Haarlem, it is only 15 minutes or so from Amsterdam Centraal station by train.

Or the cube one in Zaandam.

I never stay in Amsterdam when going there.

I stayed at the Room Mate Aitana- just near the train station and walking distance to everywhere, very nice and not too expensive ☺️

Link!

www.booking.com/Share-fU14bN

I really like https://www.dikkerandthijshotelamsterdam.com/ Dikker & Thijs Hotel
For the location

love this café:
Beurs van Berlage
bistroberlage.com/

TOOROP'S TILE TABLEAU

The vestibule of the Beurs van Berlage houses a unique treasure: three symbolic tile tableaus by Jan Toorop. They challenge visitors with visions of a possible future and reflect on the cycles of time and society. These artworks, which have found a new home after careful renovation, remain a fascinating spectacle, encompassing a range of impressionism, symbolism, and pointillism.

notes for a friend (copy and pasted if of any use, AI 🤖)

Day 1: Jordaan District & Antiquing → Markets → Bloemenmarkt
Morning: Antiquing & Canal-side Browsing
Start in the heart of the Jordaan, known for its quaint streets, canals, and galleries.
Antiekcentrum Amsterdam – Classic Antiques
Elandsgracht 109, 1016 TT Amsterdam
🚶 From here, wander south along Elandsgracht and the Grachtengordel canals for more shops.
Japanese Antique Store – Japanese & curios
Prinsengracht 262-HS, 1016 HH Amsterdam
Kramer Kunst & Antiek – Art & decorative antiques
Prinsengracht 807, 1017 KA Amsterdam
Prinsheerlijk Antiques – Stylish Dutch antiques
Prinsengracht 579, 1016 HT Amsterdam
👉 Route suggestion:
Start at Elandsgracht → head onto Prinsengracht canal street (classic canal views) → follow Prinsengracht east/south toward the centre of Amsterdam (about 25–40 minutes on foot total with stops).
Lunch & Bitterballen Break
🍴 Stop by:
Café 't Smalle – Classic Dutch pub for bitterballen and local brews
Egelantiersgracht 12, 1015 RL Amsterdam
⏱️ Allow ~45–60 minutes to relax here.
Markets & Flowers
Noordermarkt & Flea Market (Jordaan)
Noordermarkt square, Jordaan – Historic market for antiques, vintage, and curios (especially Saturday & Monday mornings).
FlipHTML5
Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market) – Amsterdam’s famed floating flower/bulb stalls
Singel between Muntplein & Koningsplein
Amsterdam
👉 From Café ’t Smalle, walk ~15–20 minutes east toward Noordermarkt, then another ~20-25 minutes to the Bloemenmarkt along canals south toward the city centre.

🛍️ Day 2: Main Shopping Streets → Hidden Chapel → Dam Square
Morning: Amsterdam Shopping Streets
Start near:
🛍️ Nieuwendijk & Kalverstraat – Amsterdam’s main pedestrian shopping streets with boutiques to big brands.
Wikipedia
+1
📍 From Bloemenmarkt, it’s ~10–15 min walk to Muntplein → then head west down Nieuwendijk toward Dam Square (lots of shops en route).
Secret Chapel Stop
🕍 Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder – Our Lord in the Attic
A hidden Catholic chapel & museum tucked inside a 17th-century canal house — a peaceful, reflective spot in the city centre.
Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38-40, 1012 GD Amsterdam
⏱️ A peaceful 45–60 min visit.
Dam Square & Coffee Break
📍 Dam Square – Amsterdam’s central plaza with historic sights (Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, National Monument).
Wikipedia

🍵 Grab a coffee at De Bijenkorf’s café or Heinen Delftware & Café (Muntplein) — lovely views and central location.
Heinen Delftware – Delft Ware & café stop
Muntplein 12, 1012 WR Amsterdam
🛍️ Also check the Delftware & ceramics shops nearby like Heinen Delftware (Prinsengracht) or Madame Blue Delftware & Jewelry for local souvenirs.

🌆 Day 3: Red Light District → Oude Kerk → Canal Walks → Sofitel Bar Treat
Red Light District & Medieval Church
👣 From Dam Square, walk 5–10 minutes south into De Wallen (Red Light District).
🛐 Oude Kerk Amsterdam – Amsterdam’s medieval Old Church • admire the gothic interior and medieval misericords.
Passporter

Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX Amsterdam
💡 Explore the surrounding alleys and historic canal streets — fascinating contrast of history and modern life.
Finish with a Treat
🍸 Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam – Bar & Lounge options (e.g., The Flying Dutchman bar or Library ‘Or’) for apertifs/refreshments in a historic luxury setting.
Sofitel

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, 1012 EX Amsterdam
⏱️ Book a table and enjoy drinks as you unwind — gorgeous interiors and a great way to end your trip.