Jordaan, de Pijp, and Oud-West would be my top picks for neighborhoods to stay in Amsterdam, but sometimes it’s not all about location. It’s about the location AND the type of accommodation you want to stay in to match your travel style and budget. Well, look no further on where that perfect place could be.
Whether you want easy access to tourist sites, a unique experience in a houseboat, or simply a room where your roommate won’t steal your stuff, we’ve got you covered on where to stay in Amsterdam all based on places we’ve personally stayed at!
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Where to Stay in Amsterdam for the Eco-Friendly Traveler + Digital Nomad
The Conscious Hotel brand has four hotels in Amsterdam:
- Conscious Hotel Museum Square
- Conscious Hotel Westerpark
- Conscious Hotel the Tire Station
- Conscious Hotel Vondelpark
I stayed at both the Tire Station for my birthday and the Conscious Hotel when our apartment was being renovated and would recommend both for a good value hotel.
Funny enough, they’re literally right next door to each other so both locations are great. They’re both walking distance to Vondelpark and right near the 1 and 11 tram lines, which make it easy to go to both center and de Pijp.
The Conscious Hotel Vondelpark has a great lobby for digital nomads to work in while the Tire Station has a cool, delicious cafe to work out in called Sticky Fingers.
Either way you can’t go wrong if you’re looking for a clean, modern hotel with great wi-fi and areas for you to work.
Location for the Vondelpark hotel, which is right next to the Tire Station: Oud-West | Overtoom 519, 1054 LH
Website: Conscious Hotel the Tire Station or Vondelpark
Booking.comWhere to Stay in Amsterdam for the Off the Beaten Path Explorer
If you want to stay someplace authentic and unique to the city, stay in this romantic houseboat like travel blogger Valery did. It’s literally off the beaten path afloat the canals of Amsterdam.
“There is nothing quite like sleeping in the hull of a boat and waking up to swans swimming outside of your window.
Plus, the houseboat is right in city centre where all of the canals, markets and restaurants are, which make walking to wherever you need to get to very easy.”
Location: City Centre | Zwanenburgwal, 1011 JH Amsterdam
Website: Airbnb
Contributed by Valery of Life in a Carryon
Where to Stay in Amsterdam for the City Center Tourist
Staying in city centre of Amsterdam is the ideal location for the ultimate tourist. It’s the most visited and well known area of Amsterdam so it’s only natural to want to stay there to be as close as possible to medieval history, tourist sites, and the infamous Red Light District.
Plus, it’s a great spot to be in for easy access to the the neighborhoods outside city center. You can simply walk to the outskirts of centre or take the tram with many lines conveniently stopping at Amsterdam Central Station.
Here are three places to stay in city centre.
Swissôtel
My friend who proposed to his girlfriend at the Keukenhof Gardens stayed at the Swissôtel right on Dam Square. Both nights they were there, they gushed about how comfortable the room was and the excellent service they received.
How could they not love this hotel with this view overlooking the rooftops of centuries-old buildings? Funnily enough, if you looked straight down out of the windows, you saw the complete opposite of these old and charming historic buildings– McDonald’s.
Pro Tip: Get a room as high as possible to escape the noise of the city if you like to keep your windows open.
Location: City Centre | Damrak 96, 1012 LP Amsterdam
Website: Swissôtel
Booking.comRenaissance Amsterdam Hotel (Marriott)
We’ve had two friends stay in this hotel in the Spring and Fall, and they loved it. Here are some perks of being in this hotel:
- Great location
- Free bike rentals included
- Mini stroopwaffels on arrival
- HAPPY HOUR from 4-6PM (not sure if this is only for rewards member but you can easily sign up for a rewards card if that’s the case)
- Free snacks in the lobby
It is an upscale hotel with nice amenities. The rooms look like pretty much every hotel in the world, but they’re clean and comfortable.
Location: City Centre |Kattengat 1, 1012 SZ Amsterdam
Website: Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel (Marriott)
Booking.comWhere to Stay in Amsterdam for the Social Backpacker
Travelers who like to fly solo or are on a budget should up for Flying Pig Hostel in city centre. It’s quite the sociable hostel that’s great for meeting fellow backpackers.
Travel blogger Jyotsna chose this hostel simply because it accommodates people over 40 years old (a criteria because her friend was 42 at the time). Here’s her insight on the hostel:
“The Flying Pig Hostel is not clean and has small lockers. You need to bring your own locks, and keep valuables like laptops at the front desk (because they won’t fit into your tiny locker).
If you opt for 2 beds, they sometimes assign a double bed bunker, which is about enough space for one adult and one kid so it can feel cramped.
However, if your goal is to meet other travelers and stay at a place with a healthy vibe, this hostel with its great lounge is for you.”
Pro Tip: There are two locations. Stay at the one downtown to get the most of the social experience.
Location: City Centre | Nieuwendijk 100, 1012 MR Amsterdam
Website: Flying Pig Hostel
Booking.comContributed by Jyotsna of Wander With Jo
Where to Stay in Amsterdam for Families
After my stay at the Die Port Van Cleve, Mike and I stayed at this hotel with a kitchen for a week (if you’re curious, we stayed at two hotels and an Airbnb before we finally moved into our apartment).
It was a welcome change from Die Port Van Cleve because ID Aparthotel are more than hotels. They’re basically apartments with a full kitchen.
We stayed in the studio, which was about 35 meters squared (almost too much space) and had a kitchen. It was amazing to be able to cook my own food after eating out every day for a couple of weeks.
In addition to the kitchen and extra large rooms, this hotel has a washer and dryer on premise that’s pretty cheap (from memory, it’s 2 euros a load), a pool table, a gym, and a restaurant/bar.
Pro Tip: There is an Albert Heijn To Go at the Sloterdijk station where you can groceries such as pasta, bread, sauce, and some already cut up vegetables. However, if you want a substantial amount of groceries, then consider going to the Albert Heijn in city centre before boarding the train back to the hotel.
Location: Sloterdijk | | Naritaweg 51, 1043 BP Amsterdam
This hotel is NOT in city centre, but it’s walking distance to the Sloterdijk train station that brings you to city centre in 5 minutes. If space, comfort, cleanliness, and ability to cook your own food is a concern because of kids more so than location, then this is a great place for your family to stay.
Website: Amsterdam ID Aparthotel
Well, there’s all the places that either my friends, fellow travel bloggers, or I have stayed in Amsterdam. I’ll be sure to update this list as more friends from the U.S. visit me over the next couple of years.
Thanks for stopping by! xo.
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Mardee Sherman
Saturday 2nd of September 2017
The link to the Conscious Hotel led to a booking agency and the price was $200 per night. I got a lower price by going directly to the hotel website at https://www.conscioushotels.com, plus I received a 5% member's discount (for which you can sign up for free).
best hotels in amsterdam
Tuesday 6th of September 2016
Very helpful and Great information, we appreciate advise especially coming from a professional. Thanks again and keep up the great work! Read more at http://vibrantwave.com
Bharat & Supriya
Friday 29th of April 2016
Thanks for this useful info! We're contemplating a short vacay in Amsterdam this year. fingers X for it to happen :)
Sarah
Tuesday 3rd of May 2016
Let me know if you come!
Chantell Collins
Thursday 28th of April 2016
These are great suggestions! My one and only time in Amsterdam I camped - wayyyy outside of the city. My boyfriend and I both use airbnb a lot and hostels when it is a cheaper option. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
Tuesday 3rd of May 2016
Camping? So cool!
Kevin Wagar
Thursday 28th of April 2016
Great tips on where to stay! I love the idea of staying in a houseboat, especially with such easy access to the key areas!
Sarah
Tuesday 3rd of May 2016
I love the houseboat too. One day when I don't live here, I'll have to come back to stay in a houseboat.