Finding accommodation in Europe 's most laid-back capital city is anything but mellow. Amsterdam's popularity means that rooms fill-up quickly and that hoteliers can charge way over the odds. On a practical note this makes advanced booking advisable year-round and essential during the spring tulip season and the busy summer months.
The best starting point for accommodation is to give the friendly Nederlands Reserverings Centrum (Tel: 0031/299 689 144) a call. However, if you arrive without anywhere to stay; head for one of the two VVV tourist offices in Centraal Station, where you'll be pointed in the right direction. Once inside Amsterdam's main rail terminus it's only a matter of time before you'll be jumped on by hotel touts regaling you with (often tall) tales of bargain beds. Some may be well-meaning, but it's best to give them a wide berth and instead join the queues at the nearby tourist office. (see - www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/accommodation)
On the up-side Amsterdam's compactness means that, wherever you stay, you're never far from the action. Much of the city's budget accommodation is predictably found in the seedy Red Light District and the area surrounding Centraal Station, while the handsome Canal District and the Museum Quarter are prime hunting ground for top-end hotels.
Most Amsterdam hotels appear to have been built from Lilliputian blueprints, so don't be surprised if you have to shoehorn yourself into your room. Similarly rooms are often reached by narrow and twisting stairwells which can cause problems for anyone with mobility difficulties. What the average Amsterdam hotel lacks in size; it usually compensated for in style. The Dutch capital is home to some of the continent's favourite designer hotels and even budget establishments are keen to get in on the act.
Accommodation options in Amsterdam include all the usual candidates, ranging from backpacker's hostels to the kind of luxury that would make Queen Beatrix feel at home. Nautical types might be interested to find out that memorable (if potentially damp) nights can be spent on the city's fleet of Dutch barges. Despite Amsterdam's shortage of accommodation it's still worth asking for a discount, especially if you are intending to stay for a few nights or are visiting during the low season.
Hotels in Amsterdam run the gamut from wallet-punishing palaces of opulence to sleazy dives in the Red Light District. In fact, if you know where to look, you'll find something tailored to suit every taste and budget. However, no matter how many stars you can afford it's essential to book early.
Amsterdam acts as a showcase for the nation's best hotels which means that there's plenty of choice for the financial elite. Celebrities make a beeline for the Amstel Inter-Continental (www.amsterdam.intercontinental.com) , whose past guests include: Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana and the Rolling Stones. The hotel's elegant 19th century façade is matched by an impeccable interior and sublime riverside location, but don't expect to get much change from a € 500 note.
Amsterdam's second most desirable address is Keizersgracht 384, now called "The Dylan" (www.dylanamsterdam.com) once known as Blakes Hotel. The Dylean supplies a lesson in how modern design and historic architecture can compliment each other when in the right hands and is understandably one of Europe 's leading boutique hotels.
The Grand Sofitel Demure (www.sofitel.com) provided lodgings for the Dutch Admiralty until 1996, when a facelift transformed it into one of the city's best-loved hotels.
A seasoned favourite with guidebook writers (which makes a mockery of the oft-penned concept that it remains 'undiscovered') the Seven Bridges Hotel (www.sevenbridgeshotel.nl) is a canal-side gem. Built more than 300 years ago the hotel provides a tranquil and intimate retreat, but best of all: breakfast is served in bed. Facing Centraal Station the NH Barbizon Palace is a slick business hotel replete with all the necessary mod cons. With 26 double rooms priced between €140-200, the 17th century Canal House Hotel fills up quickly and delivers a memorable stay.
In Amsterdam you tend to get what you pay for, much to the chagrin of budget travelers. However there are a few notable exceptions: Hostels are the most economic option, and most have private singles and doubles as well dormitory beds. Pride of place goes to Bulldog Low-Budget Hotel (www.bulldoghotel.com) in the historic city centre, where you'll get a comfortable night's sleep in a shared room for a reasonable price (you'll have to pay more for the luxury of your own room).
Stayokay Vondelpark (www.stayokay.com) in the Museum Quarter is run by Hostelling International (www.hihostels.com), so members can expect a discount. The hostel is clean, tidy. and incredibly busy, hence the need to book well in advance.
If you're planning to stay in Amsterdam for a few days (or are traveling in a group) it's worth thinking about renting an apartment. Agencies letting properties in the city centre include: Pararius (www.pararius.com) and Gasthuismolen Apartments which can be booked through www.stephibookings.com.
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