Hi Graham
You might find Leidesplein a bit far out for a first time visit, although it is close to the Museum Quarter. It really depends on what you want to see and do and whether you want to walk everywhere or use the trams. We stayed at http://www.damsquarebnb.com/dam-square-apartment.html which was very central, but also rather noisy, so next time I think we would try to stay slightly further west in the Jordan area as this seemed much quieter. Leidseplein itself was very noisy and busy when we were there but I'm sure there might be some quieter areas in the surrounding streets. It's true that you can walk anywhere in Amsterdam, but we found this too tiring so were glad of the trams on a number of occasions. We bought an I-Amsterdam card which included public transport so were able to use the trams as much as we wanted to 72hrs - these cards are expensive though so you need to be certain you will get your money's worth out of them (we did). More to follow in my report!
Thanks yet again Corinne 
Not knowing the various districts of Amsterdam has made it very hard to look at particular hotels that I might find suitable.
While not looking for the Ritz the few hotels that I have looked at have recent terrible reviews, ranging from very dirty through to even having the packets of biscuits eaten by vermin during the night
Also as Groovee suggests a canal tour sounds like a plan
Are Keukenhof Park and bulb fields easy to get to?
Thanks once again
Graham
Not knowing the various districts of Amsterdam has made it very hard to look at particular hotels that I might find suitable.
While not looking for the Ritz the few hotels that I have looked at have recent terrible reviews, ranging from very dirty through to even having the packets of biscuits eaten by vermin during the night
So far my plans would include -
Keukenhof Park and bulb fields.
Anne Frank House.
The Rijksmuseum
Cycling around the city - suggestions for scenic areas to visit if possible.
Also as Groovee suggests a canal tour sounds like a plan
Are Keukenhof Park and bulb fields easy to get to?
Thanks once again
Graham
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/netherlands/amsterdam/artist-house-apartments/
( sometimes my reviews do post
)
We loved this place. Brilliant position as it was within distance of so much. Anne Franks house- we prebooked a time online. Its well worth doing as it saves a long queue.
( sometimes my reviews do post
)We loved this place. Brilliant position as it was within distance of so much. Anne Franks house- we prebooked a time online. Its well worth doing as it saves a long queue.
Thanks Fiona, as I will be there all on my lonesome I was thinking more of just a hotel room somewhere, it does look nice though.
I used to have Chicken satay with peanut sauce lots of times when I lived in Holland in the 70's. They even put the sauce on chips instead of mayonnaise. It can be more of a snack Graham
I do think that area is the most vibrant area in Amsterdam and frsnkly as the city is reaally quite small and canal trips etc close by (nearest probably 5 mins away at best) it offers up easy access. Walking around is not an issue and plenty of cuisine, from fast food to Argentinian steak houses to life music bars.....gotta love Amsterdam.....
If you just need somewhere clean and simple to sleep/shower, you really can't go wrong with Ibis Budget. I've stayed in countless IB hotels in the UK and Europe, including Amsterdam, and they are such good value. They also have free wi-fi.
Hi Pippy. Narrowed down Amsterdam for a short break away with some girlfriends next year. I have been four times now but still really love Amsterdam so will happily go back if that's where we finally decide!
Have stayed in different hotels every time. Last time stayed in the Mercure with hubby and DD, which was fab but pretty expensive.
Looking for something a bit more basic for next year. We just want somewhere clean and basic, relatively central, but with breakfast included. Free wi is always welcome
Do you think the ibis would fit the bill. Hoping to do three nights depending on how flights work.
Have stayed in different hotels every time. Last time stayed in the Mercure with hubby and DD, which was fab but pretty expensive.
Looking for something a bit more basic for next year. We just want somewhere clean and basic, relatively central, but with breakfast included. Free wi is always welcome
Do you think the ibis would fit the bill. Hoping to do three nights depending on how flights work.
suncatcher wrote:Hi Pippy. Narrowed down Amsterdam for a short break away with some girlfriends next year. I have been four times now but still really love Amsterdam so will happily go back if that's where we finally decide!
Have stayed in different hotels every time. Last time stayed in the Mercure with hubby and DD, which was fab but pretty expensive.
Looking for something a bit more basic for next year. We just want somewhere clean and basic, relatively central, but with breakfast included. Free wi is always welcome
Do you think the ibis would fit the bill. Hoping to do three nights depending on how flights work.
Hello
I'm happy to stay a little out of the city and make use of courtesy buses, trains and buses (including the night bus recommended earlier in this thread, found those very useful for three different trips so far), so have stayed at this hotel a few times, often for as little as £30 per night if booked and paid for in advance. Prices are per room, so if a group of you go and three stay per room, that really keeps costs down.
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5097-ibis-budget-amsterdam-airport/index.shtml
I've also stayed at both these hotels. Price depends on time of year and how far ahead you book, and obviously, the closer to the city, the more expensive the hotel.
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5140-ibis-amsterdam-city-west/index.shtml
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-3044-ibis-amsterdam-centre-stopera/index.shtml
When I go off on my little gig-jollies, I'm generally with friends so the cost per person is kept right down. There are, I'm sure, cheaper hotels, but another reason I like Ibis is the fact they are bog-standard in layout and size and I've yet to stay in one that was not clean and adequately comfortable. Occasionally you'll find a price that includes breakfast. They all have free wi-fi in all the rooms and I've always found it to be very fast/reliable.
I do know people, especially around my age and older, who turn their noses up at this type of accommodation (generally the same people who turn their noses up at budget airlines); that's fine with me, wouldn't wish to spend time with people who think their
doesn't stink
Does anybody know of this hotel or the location?
The Piet Hein Hotel, located beside Vondelpark in the museum quarter? http://www.hotelpiethein.com/
What about Keukenhof Park and bulb fields, are they easy to reach?
Now this I know sounds very Max Bygraves (for those old enough to remember him ) but I do want to see the tulip fields and also a windmill, preferably without a mouse on the stair 
are there any flower markets?
I have now booked my flights, made a slight mistake when booking online with KLM and instead of booking a return flight a weak later I booked the return flight 10 days later, fear not all wasn't lost, so to make the most of the mistake I booked further flights, I now fly in to Schiphol and onwards to Venice for 5 days then back to Amsterdam for a further 5 days, a two centre holiday
The Piet Hein Hotel, located beside Vondelpark in the museum quarter? http://www.hotelpiethein.com/
What about Keukenhof Park and bulb fields, are they easy to reach?
Now this I know sounds very Max Bygraves (for those old enough to remember him
) but I do want to see the tulip fields and also a windmill, preferably without a mouse on the stair are there any flower markets?I have now booked my flights, made a slight mistake when booking online with KLM and instead of booking a return flight a weak later I booked the return flight 10 days later, fear not all wasn't lost, so to make the most of the mistake I booked further flights, I now fly in to Schiphol and onwards to Venice for 5 days then back to Amsterdam for a further 5 days, a two centre holiday
Hmmm how 'convenient' that you ended up with a longer holiday & a 2 centre to boot. I'm sure Mrs Kiltie didn't fall for that one either 
Hello
I'm happy to stay a little out of the city and make use of courtesy buses, trains and buses (including the night bus recommended earlier in this thread, found those very useful for three different trips so far), so have stayed at this hotel a few times, often for as little as £30 per night if booked and paid for in advance. Prices are per room, so if a group of you go and three stay per room, that really keeps costs down.
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5097-ibis-budget-amsterdam-airport/index.shtml
I've also stayed at both these hotels. Price depends on time of year and how far ahead you book, and obviously, the closer to the city, the more expensive the hotel.
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5140-ibis-amsterdam-city-west/index.shtml
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-3044-ibis-amsterdam-centre-stopera/index.shtml
When I go off on my little gig-jollies, I'm generally with friends so the cost per person is kept right down. There are, I'm sure, cheaper hotels, but another reason I like Ibis is the fact they are bog-standard in layout and size and I've yet to stay in one that was not clean and adequately comfortable. Occasionally you'll find a price that includes breakfast. They all have free wi-fi in all the rooms and I've always found it to be very fast/reliable.
I do know people, especially around my age and older, who turn their noses up at this type of accommodation (generally the same people who turn their noses up at budget airlines); that's fine with me, wouldn't wish to spend time with people who think their
Sorry. Just got back on here today. Thanks so much for the information about these hotels. It's really useful. Don't mind staying a bit out, as long as we are on a tram line, or can use a bus. If rates with breakfast are too high, then my general rule of thumb, is to just find somewhere close by to eat breakfast. As it's a few friends, just thought breakfast included might be the best option this time. Will check out these hotels, with and without the breakfast rate and weigh up the difference.
We are just really after basic and clean. It will be just somewhere to sleep and shower, so happy to keep costs down as much as possible, and ibis looks like it will fit the bill.
I know what you mean about the travel snobs. More left for you and me though, so it's not all bad
Thanks again.
suncatcher wrote:Hello
I'm happy to stay a little out of the city and make use of courtesy buses, trains and buses (including the night bus recommended earlier in this thread, found those very useful for three different trips so far), so have stayed at this hotel a few times, often for as little as £30 per night if booked and paid for in advance. Prices are per room, so if a group of you go and three stay per room, that really keeps costs down.
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5097-ibis-budget-amsterdam-airport/index.shtml
I've also stayed at both these hotels. Price depends on time of year and how far ahead you book, and obviously, the closer to the city, the more expensive the hotel.
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5140-ibis-amsterdam-city-west/index.shtml
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-3044-ibis-amsterdam-centre-stopera/index.shtml
When I go off on my little gig-jollies, I'm generally with friends so the cost per person is kept right down. There are, I'm sure, cheaper hotels, but another reason I like Ibis is the fact they are bog-standard in layout and size and I've yet to stay in one that was not clean and adequately comfortable. Occasionally you'll find a price that includes breakfast. They all have free wi-fi in all the rooms and I've always found it to be very fast/reliable.
I do know people, especially around my age and older, who turn their noses up at this type of accommodation (generally the same people who turn their noses up at budget airlines); that's fine with me, wouldn't wish to spend time with people who think their
Sorry. Just got back on here today. Thanks so much for the information about these hotels. It's really useful. Don't mind staying a bit out, as long as we are on a tram line, or can use a bus. If rates with breakfast are too high, then my general rule of thumb, is to just find somewhere close by to eat breakfast. As it's a few friends, just thought breakfast included might be the best option this time. Will check out these hotels, with and without the breakfast rate and weigh up the difference.
We are just really after basic and clean. It will be just somewhere to sleep and shower, so happy to keep costs down as much as possible, and ibis looks like it will fit the bill.
I know what you mean about the travel snobs. More left for you and me though, so it's not all bad
Thanks again.
Heads up, Ibis have a sale on for bookings made by Friday 27th of June. I've just booked hotels in Amsterdam, Paris and Belgium for the 6th, 7th and 8th of November (Kasabian gigs
) and saved a packet.
Wow, that's fab. Enjoy
Does anybody know of this hotel or the location?
The Piet Hein Hotel, located beside Vondelpark in the museum quarter? http://www.hotelpiethein.com/
What about Keukenhof Park and bulb fields, are they easy to reach?
Now this I know sounds very Max Bygraves (for those old enough to remember him ) but I do want to see the tulip fields and also a windmill, preferably without a mouse on the stair are there any flower markets?
I have now booked my flights, made a slight mistake when booking online with KLM and instead of booking a return flight a weak later I booked the return flight 10 days later, fear not all wasn't lost, so to make the most of the mistake I booked further flights, I now fly in to Schiphol and onwards to Venice for 5 days then back to Amsterdam for a further 5 days, a two centre holiday
The reviews for the hotel above are not so good and have decided to give it a miss, does anybody know anything about this hotel or location http://www.hotelespresso.nl/en/index.html
The Espresso works out at just less than £100 more for the entire stay than staying in the Ibis Budget Amsterdam Zaandam which is located 7.08km from city centre.
Any thoughts on which one to stay at? remembering that I would if possible like to go out exploring on a bike on at least one day along with going to Keukenhof Park and bulb fields which I haven't found out much about yet.
Cheers again
Graham
Personally, I wouldn't go for the Zandaam Ibis if you are going on a sightseeing break as you'll have to travel in and out of the city every day and you'll have to pay more for transport. We didn't visit the area where the Espresso it but it's on a tram line which is a good thing so you can get there from Centraal Station in less than 20 mins. Definitely get a travel pass as the single tickets are 2.80 euros.
Trip report to follow when we get back from France!
Trip report to follow when we get back from France!
Graham
I would say Expresso is in a good enough position, close to the centre. I can picture where it is as we passed it on the hop on/off bus.
I would say Expresso is in a good enough position, close to the centre. I can picture where it is as we passed it on the hop on/off bus.
Sorry, Graham, I've just seen this - you may want to take a look at the Singel Hotel, nothing fancy, well located, clean & comfortable, stayed there a few times http://www.singelhotel.nl/en/index.html or the RHO, a bit more upmarket, but not stupidly so, stayed there too http://www.rhohotel.com/
Keukenhof & the bulb fields are a bit hard to do on public transport, better to go with someone like Holland International, or Lindbergh on a day trip; Given your other wish to see a windmill, you could also look at visiting Zaanse Schans (bus 391 from central station) http://www.dezaanseschans.nl/en/.
One more thing, for Anne Frank House, try to get there as soon as it opens, or after 4 pm, that way you avoid all the tour bus crowds.
Anything else I can help with, let me know.
Keukenhof & the bulb fields are a bit hard to do on public transport, better to go with someone like Holland International, or Lindbergh on a day trip; Given your other wish to see a windmill, you could also look at visiting Zaanse Schans (bus 391 from central station) http://www.dezaanseschans.nl/en/.
One more thing, for Anne Frank House, try to get there as soon as it opens, or after 4 pm, that way you avoid all the tour bus crowds.
Anything else I can help with, let me know.
All rail tickets are now OV chipkaart which means checking-in and checking-out. Disposable cards have €1 surcharge on them.
Thanks folks, sorry for not replying sooner I was in Tenerife and just got back, straight on the run and the pager has hardly stopped since.
Just in again from another shout so I will take a proper look at all your suggestions in daylight hours, mind you it is already light now.
Cheers
Graham
Just in again from another shout so I will take a proper look at all your suggestions in daylight hours, mind you it is already light now.
Cheers
Graham
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