Amsterdam Hotels – Tips From Travel Journos
Amsterdam hotels – The Apple Inn offers 30 modern rooms near The Vondelpark.
Amsterdam hotels? Really?
In addition to writing about travel on this site and elsewhere, I help travelers plan their trips. Of course, I can only do this if I am well acquainted with their destination – which explains why, over the years, I’ve planned more trips to New Zealand (my home-away-from-home) than any other country.
I’ve also traveled a fair bit in Italy, so I happily agreed to craft an itinerary for a couple headed in that direction. My contact was the female of the pair, and we were making great progress going back and forth via email when I learned that her husband had a change of heart. Now they were going to Amsterdam.
First, let me say that I’m pretty sure “thou shall not change travel plans without mutual consent” is understood in every marriage contract. Second, I’d like to add that the grace with which she dealt with this news was admirable. So admirable, in fact, that I just couldn’t say no when she asked for hotel recommendations.
Since I haven’t been to The Netherlands in ages, I turned to my extremely travel savvy colleagues in the Society of American Travel Writers. My request resulted in a treasure-trove of good advice. In fact, the hotels sound so wonderful that I’ve moved Amsterdam up a notch on my bucket list.
Amsterdam hotels: Most rooms at the Hotel Ambassade offer water views.
Best Amsterdam hotels
Several people said that The Hotel Ambassade is the best place to stay in Amsterdam. It’s a “beautiful boutique hotel” (58 rooms) located at the Herengracht (the most important canal in the city).
Barbara Ramsay Orr, who writes Upper End Travel, said “The Hotel Ambassade is my personal favourite.” (That’s not a typo. she’s Canadian.) “It was the hotel that was used as the Amsterdam setting in Donna Tarte’s The Goldfinch and it is traditionally a writers’ hotel, located in the Nine Streets District. Great library full of signed first editions, gifts of visiting authors.”
Amy Wibert Eckert wrote “”I’ve been to Amsterdam many times and always opt to stay near the main train station. It’s right at the hub of the transportation network and what with the city’s circular nature, I wind up being at the center of all the sights, too. I had a great experience just last summer at The Doubletree, of all places. Not much in the way of foreign culture, I guess, but outstanding service and location. It’s right next to Amsterdam Central Station.” Then she added “Oh, I’ve also stayed at the Sofitel Grand Amsterdam. A lovely hotel, but pricey and not as convenient.”
Barbara also likes The Grand. “The Karel Apel mural in the restaurant is a treat, lots of history and a short hop to the Red Light district,” she added.
Amsterdam hotels: The Estherea is “quiet yet close to the bustle.”
Don’t these Amsterdam hotels sound wonderful?
Another colleague Fred Sherman recommended the Amsterdam Marriott on Leidseplein – “the main square, close to everything.”
“I like the Hotel Estheréa,” Susan Farlow said. “It’s a boutique hotel, in a row of 17th-century buildings, on the city’s oldest canal. Quiet, yet close to the bustle. Family-operated with loads of history.”
Doug MacKenzie added “The Pulitzer is situated in a line of row houses. Exquisite hotel.”
Amsterdam hotels: The Pulitzer is located in the middle of Amsterdam’s historic city center.
Riding bikes and living local in Amsterdam
Lee Daley kindly included a link to her article on Epicurean Destinations: Amsterdam: Bikes, Bridges and Bread. She stayed at the Apple Inn, “a modestly priced boutique hotel, very conveniently located, included full breakfast.”
Irene Levine sent a link to the article on her website More Time to Travel. She stayed at The Dylan where she “loved the neighborhood and the intimate family-owned, 40-room property.”
Click this for the best rates on Amsterdam hotels.
“A stay at The Dylan Amsterdam is the next best thing to living in a canal house on the Keizersgracht.”
So much better than TripAdvisor
I’ve always known that travel journalists are the very best source of trip planning information – and this Amsterdam hotels exercise reinforced that belief. Like me, they just want you to have the best possible travel experiences.
With thanks to my colleagues for their generous responses.
Enjoy Amsterdam,
Category: The Netherlands
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Amsterdam is a wonderful city with great hotel and dining options, and so much to see and do!
This is why I love Amsterdam: authentic and historical. Like Venise, it’s typically the kind of destination where you can find great luxury boutique hotels in ancient buildings..