Visit Amsterdam

Hello, friends!

“Hotel Old Quarter Amsterdam is an ideal hotel for young people looking for a cheap weekend away” that’ what my friends from France think about Hotel Old Quarter, cheap 2-star Amsterdam hotel in Warmoestraat 22, where they stopped at the end of April. This cheap hotel in the centre of Amsterdam is just in a two-minute walk from the Central Station Good and near the Red Light District. Pierre says that you shouldn’t expect 5-star facilities and services in Hotel Old Quarter Amsterdam because of the hotel’s price – you get just what you pay for. But that doesn’t really matter for four lads coming for another weekend away and who are not going to spend their days (and nights, I suppose!) on their hotel rooms, let’s face it! Probably they wouldn’t book Hotel Old Quarter Amsterdam for a romantic getaway with their girlfriends!

Hotel Old Quarter Amsterdam offers rooms for any taste – luxury rooms with a beautiful view of a charming Amsterdam canal, simple rooms with shared shower and toilet in the hall and something in between.

My friends settled in a quad room with four single beds. Their room was clean, equipped with working cable TV, phone and heating. Beds were a little tough, but the bed-linen was fresh.

The hotel staff couldn’t be more helpful – they were always ready to provide my friends with any info they required.
Continental breakfast was included in the room rate, but there was nothing special about it, just average for all 2-star Amsterdam hotels.

All in all, Hotel Old Quarter Amsterdam is a good cheap hotel; my friends liked it a lot.

See you!

Hello, friends!

The Dylan Amsterdam hotel was highly recommended by a close friend of mine, whose tastes are usually very similar to my own. So, I had no doubt about this luxurious 4-star Amsterdam hotel and booked a room there well in advance to avoid disappointment. And that was a wise decision as I sooner found out – The Dylan Amsterdam hotel was overbooked (due to a cultural event), but I had no problems with checking-in. The hotel staff at the front desk was polite and really service-oriented.

My friend had sent me some photos of The Dylan Amsterdam hotel and the hotel room where I settled did not disappoint me from the photos I had seen. I had an apartment overlooking the canal, it wasn’t too spacious but nice and cosy, very relaxing to be in. Wireless Internet access, TV, CD-player, air conditioning, phone, mini-bar, hairdryer, bathrobe, sleepers, etc. were available in the room. I was offered in-room massage and as I was really tired and my back was aching, I decided to take the service, which was very relaxing and opportune.

I paid extra EUR 25.00 for buffet breakfast as it was not included in the room rate. By the way, the restaurant at The Dylan Amsterdam hotel was excellent and we would recommend it for special occasions. There was a very nice and big selection of food, which was too pricy, but that’s the thing with all the luxurious Amsterdam hotels.

The location of The Dylan Amsterdam hotel couldn’t be better and is ideal if you want to see Amsterdam at its best.

Goodbye!

Today I am going to review Best Western Blue Tower Hotel in Amsterdam.I wasn’t sure whether to stay in this cheap 3-star Amsterdam hotel or look for another cheap Amsterdam hotel for a 4-night stay; I didn’t know what to expect from Best Western Blue Tower Hotel Amsterdam when I booked the hotel, because it was relatively new (built in summer 2007) and all those new hotels often have problems, moreover, I hadn’t heard any opinions about this Amsterdam hotel. But at last I decided to stay in Best Western Blue Tower Hotel Amsterdam because it was very close to the place of my work in Amsterdam. Best Western Blue Tower Hotel Amsterdam isn’t in downtown Amsterdam, but it is very close to the center – just behind Bos En Lommer square. Frequently running local buses and trams can be picked up on the opposite side of the Bos En Lommer square, so can easily reach any part of Amsterdam.

By Amsterdam standards, Best Western Blue Tower Hotel Amsterdam turned out to be comparatively cheap and the room and bathroom were of a good size. The linen was spotless and the bed was comfortable. All room facilities were basic, but they were in great condition – heating, air conditioning, telephone, TV, hairdryer.

Breakfast wasn’t included in the room rate and I decided to have breakfast in the cafe nearby the hotel, because buffet breakfast seemed too expensive for me. So, I cannot comment on the food they serve for their guests.

I would definitely stay in Best Western Blue Tower Hotel Amsterdam if I turn out to be in the area and have no doubts to recommend it fir those looking cheap and comfortable Amsterdam accommodation.

I continue reviewing Amsterdam accommodation options, but at first I would like to share some of my general thoughts about choosing hotels in Amsterdam. Being a journalist, I often travel on business to Amsterdam – either alone or with a colleague of mine, Frank – and have already known a plenty of Amsterdam hotels, so I am really able to compare them in different terms to help you in the choice of the pleasant hotel in Amsterdam.The choice of hotels and hostels in Amsterdam is really vast and finding a hotel is not difficult. What seems more difficult and complicated is choosing the RIGHT hotel. All travelers have to face the problem of their settlement in Amsterdam when planning their visit whether it is a long-term visit or a short weekend excursion. The place you choose to stay in Amsterdam may influence the whole Amsterdam experience.

Generally, hotels and hostels in Amsterdam are either good or bad, really bad. Luxury Amsterdam hotels rated 4 and 5-stars are definitely very good, booking rooms there generally guarantees spacious apartments, best service, friendly and helpful English speaking staff, additional amenities and good food, in other words everything you need for a comfortable stay. Choosing mid-range and cheap hotels in Amsterdam is more risky. You should think twice before booking and try to find as much information about the hotel where you intend to stay as possible: ask your friends’ opinions, read different reviews of the hotel in the Internet and so on.

To be continued…

Today I am going to make a small review of Amsterdam accommodation options for people coming to the capital. Amsterdam’s hotel infrastructure offers a wide variety of accommodations to choose – from luxurious 4 and 5-star hotels known all over the world to small, but cosy and cheap Amsterdam hotels and hostels for people traveling on the budget. For those looking for romance in Amsterdam boutique hotels overlooking the canal would probably be the best choice. People traveling in groups or with kids may like B&Bs or self-catering apartments. Hotel’s price level and its location are probably the most important points to consider when choosing a place to stay in Amsterdam. The most popular Amsterdam hotels for tourists who came in order to see the sights are located around Dam Square, the entertainment seekers should look for Amsterdam hotels near Red Light District or famous squares of Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Shopping fans might prefer staying near the most popular shopping streets. But whatever Amsterdam hotel you choose, cheap Amsterdam hotel or the most expensive one, take care of booking it well in advance to avoid disappointments. Remember that the capital of the Netherlands is a year-round popular tourist destination, especially busy at weekends and festive events when it is almost impossible to book hotels on the short term. There are a lot of websites at your disposal to make secure on-line hotel reservations.

I think I will continue my overview of Amsterdam’s accommodation options in the following posts. If you have any useful information on Amsterdam hotels, please, share with us!