AMSTERDAM TRAVEL GUIDE
Hotels can be expensive, although the city's size means that you'll inevitably end up somewhere central. A viable alternative is to stay in one of the many hostels offering dorm beds and usually a few rooms. At peak periods throughout the year (April - September, but especially Easter) it's advisable to book ahead. The Amsterdam Reservation Centre can book accommodation for a € 9.00 fee; it's especially useful for last-minute bookings.
BOB'S, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 92.
An old favourite of backpackers; lively and smokey, with small dorms, good meals and Internet access.
Ten-minutes from Central Station.
Tel: 020 - 623 - 0063.
FLYING PIG DOWNTOWN, Nieuwendijk 100.
Clean, large and well run by ex-backpackers. Free kitchen facilities and Internet access, no curfew, all-night bar. Not for faint-hearted anti-smokers.
Five-minute walk from Central Station.
Tel: 020 - 420 - 6822.
FLYNG PIG PALACE VONDELPARK, Vossiusstraat 46.
On the edge of the city's big park; clean and well maintained. Free kitchen facilities and Internet access, no curfew, good tourist information.
Tram #1, #2 or #5 to Leidseplein, then walk.
Tel: 020 - 400 - 4187.
HANS BRINKLER, Kerkstraat 136.
Well-established and raucously popular cheapie, though a little more upmarket than some. Cafe with cheap dishes available.
Tram #1, #2 or #5 to Prinsengracht.
Tel: 020 - 622 - 0687.
INTERNATIONAL BUDGET HOSTEL, Leidsegracht 76.
Excellent budget option on a peaceful little canal in the heart of the city.
Tram #1, #2 or #5 to Prinsengracht.
Tel: 020 - 624 - 2784.
KABUL, Warmoesstraat 38-42.
Huge, bustling hostel with multilingual staff, three minutes form station. Immaculately clean.
Open: 24 hours.
Tel: 020 - 623 - 7158/7059.
KEIZEERSGRACHT 15.
A good mix of small dorms, singles and doubles.
Terrific location on a major canal five minutes' walk from Central station.
Tel: 020 - 625 - 1364.
THE SHELTER CITY, Barndesteeg 21.
Non-evangelical Christian hostel smack in the middle of the red-light district: single-sex roooms, lockers, midnight curfew (1am weekends). Sizable breakfast included.
Metro Nieuwmarkt.
Tel: 020 - 625 - 3230.
THE SHELTER JORDAAN, Bloemstraat 179.
Another easy-going Christian hostel in the Jordaan district, with very cheap beds. No smocking.
Tram #13 or #17 to Marnixstraat.
Tel: 020 - 624 - 4717.
STADSDOELEN, Kloveniersburgwal 97.
The more accessible of the two HI hostel, with clean semi-private dorm rooms. HI members have priority in high season.
Tram #4, #9, #16,#24 or #25 to Muntplein.
Tel: 020 - 624 - 6832.
VONDEL PARK, Zandpad 5.
For facilities, the better of the two HI hostels, with bar, restaurant, TV lounge and kitchen; also well located on the edge of the park. Secure lockers and a lift.
Tram #1, #2 or #5 to Leidseplein, then walk.
Tel: 020 - 589 - 8996.
HOTELS
ABBA, Overtoom 120.
Conveniently located for the big art museums. Concertgebouw and Leidesplein. Rooms have showers and are quiet at the back of the hotel. Breakfast included in the price.
Tram #5 to Leidseplein.
ARENA, Gravesandestraat 51.
Out of the centre, but the best value in the city. On-site facilities include live music, tourist information, bike rental, a great bar and restaurant. All rooms are en-suite.
Metro Weesperplein or tran #6, #7 or #10 from Leidseplein to Korte's Gravesandestraat.
Tel: 020 - 850 - 2400.
ASTERISK, Den Texstraat 16.
Good-value budget hotel, just across the canal from the Heineken Brewery.
Tram #16, #24 or #25 to Weteringcircuit.
Tel: 020 - 626 - 2396.
BEMA, Concertgebouwplein 19b.
Small place, kept very clean by the English-speaking manager. The rooms are not modern, but are full of character. Handier for concerts and museums than nightlife.
Tram #2 or #5 to Museumplein.
Tel: 020 - 679 - 1396.
CLEMENS, Raadhuisstraat 39.
One of many options on this hotel strip. Clean, neat and value for money. Ask for a room at the back.
Tram #13 or #17 to Westermarkt.
Tel: 020 - 624 - 6089.
EUPHEMIA, Fokke Simonszstraat 1.
A likable, laid-back atmosphere: rooms are big and basic, with free showers and TV's. Very reasonable prices which means it's usually full.
Tram #16, #24 or #25 to Weteringcircuit.
Tel: 020 - 622 - 9045.
KING, Leidsekade 85-86.
Clean but very small rooms in a small hotel. Breakfast included. Minimum three nights during summer.
Tram #1, #2 or #5 to Leidseplein.
Tel: 020 - 624 - 9603.
QUENTIN, Leidsekade 89.
Friendly small hotel, often a stopover for bands performing at the Melkweg. Well regarded among gay and lesbian viaitors.
Tram #1, #2 or #5 to Leidseplein.
Tel: 020 - 626 - 2187.
ROKIN, Rokin 73.
Something of a bargain considering the location.
Tram #4, #9, #16, #24 or #25 to Dam or Spui.
Tel: 020 - 626 - 7456.
ST NICOLAAS, Spuistraat 1a.
Very pleasant, well-run little hotel housed in a former mattress factory (with a king-size lift to prove it).
Tel: 020 - 626 - 1384.
VAN ONNA, Bloemgracht 104.
A quiet, comfortable, family-run place on a tranquil canal in the Jordaan.
Tram #13 or #17 to Westmarkt.
Tel: 020 - 626 - 5801.
