I'm arranging a weekend break for my parents to Amsterdam. If you've been there, would you please suggest/recommend an affordable hotel? I'm looking for somewhere appropriate for a couple in their 50s, so obviously a hotel in the middle of the red-light district is probably not somewhere they'd appreciate! Thanks.

Cliff

That all depends on your budget Cliff, and which area of Amsterdam you wish them to stay in.

Somewhere close to the tourist areas would be pefect. (I've never been to Amsterdam, so I've no idea!) My budget is around £50-£70 per night for three nights, or higher for a hotel offering a free night for every two booked.

A small, friendly, family-run hotel would be perfect.

I stayed at The Grand once...

There's two, I stayed at the flasher one...5 Star...worked paid....:-)

Very nice and right in the centre. I've sometimes seen reasonable deals... flight and room for a couple of nights for not much more than a 3/4 *

Hope they have a good time.

Nick

quote:

Originally posted by Cliff:
Somewhere close to the tourist areas would be perfect. My budget is around £50-£70 per night for three nights, or higher for a hotel offering a free night for every two booked.

A small, friendly, family-run hotel would be perfect.

In that case Cliff, I've stayed at the Rembrandt Residence Hotel a couple of times when my preferred choice has been unavailable. It is a 3* hotel and is located behind the Royal Palace, about a mile away from Central Station (direct link from the Airport - trains every 15 minutes or so), a short walk to Dam Square, many museums, Canal Cruises, Anne Frank House, Floating Flower Market and The Leidseplein which is probably the best place in Amsterdam for the bars, cafés, restaurants, cinemas, casino and theatres. It's also not far from the shopping areas.

My first choice hotel is the Pulitzer Hotel, a couple of streets away from the Rembrandt. The Pulitzer is a 5* (Sheraton) hotel, but you can get some good deals there at weekends I believe. I have only actually stayed in Amsterdam on business and as such have been there on weekdays. Not been for 18 months or so but Jenny has been hinting that she might like to visit, so there is a possibility we'll be back at the back end of this year.

I'm sure your parents will love it. I took my parents with me on a trip about 7 years ago - they absolutely loved it. I even took them for a walk through the Red Light District, thy were gob-smacked - they enjoyed the walk through, it certainly opened their eyes up. My parents were in their late sixties when I took them and they found the walking manageable. There are plenty of trams too if they need to rest their pins.

If they don't want to take the train form the airport, there is a Hotel Shuttle Service that passes close to the Rembrandt/Pulitzer - the cost is minimal.

They'll love it!

A most important factor Cliff is-are they able to climb stairs,or must they have a hotel with a lift?
The stairs in many Amsterdam hotels are really steep and if you're on the fourth floor or higher....

Roly suggests a very valid consideration there Cliff, and yes, before you ask , both the Rembrandt and the Pulitzer have lifts to all floors.

Yes - a very important consideration which I completely overlooked! Indeed, stairs would cause difficulties. The Rembrandt is looking like the one we're going for. Thanks folks.

If you are looking in Central amsterdam, I would suggest the Ibis, just a short walking distance from the railway station and an easy walk into central amsterdam. Another alternative is the Boatotel (it is a boat on a canel)again, just behind the central station and is walking distance.
The above 2 should be in your price range, the classier hotels are will outside your quoted price range, if you are prepared to go over look at NH Hotels, they certainly have 2 excellant hotel in Central Amsterdam

I once got a decent weekend deal via the Hilton chain, however the hotel was a tram ride away.

As an aside, I would recommend buying an all dat tram ticket to tour Amsterdam

Hi AlanH
How are things going ? Suprised you have time to post on the board

For people in Cliff's parents age range,the issue is really whether you want to be around Dam Square and the red light district,Leidesplein or Museumplein. Personally,I would stop in a cheaper place than the Rembrandt,but it's very close to my favourite off-licence...