Where to Stay in Amsterdam (2024): Accommodation & Area Guide

Wondering Where To Stay In Amsterdam? Here’s Our Guide!

Travelling to Amsterdam? Great idea! The Dutch capital city is full of things to do and see – making it a popular destination at all times of the year!

Whether you’re travelling to Amsterdam for the first time or for the fourth, there’s no shame in looking for the best places to stay to suit your style and budget.

We really enjoy Amsterdam. Having visited many times (we lived in The Netherlands), we’ve explored the city pretty deeply and have stayed at several hotels (four) around the city.

We liked Hotel Dwars Amsterdam as a boutique option right in the Canal Belt, but would also recommend Urban Lodge Hotel or Hotel2Stay over near budget-friendly Sloterdijk. If those aren’t for you, don’t worry.

Whether you’re a single explorer, a couple, or a travelling family, our guide will dive into accommodation in Amsterdam by style and/or budget, then go over some great areas to stay in Amsterdam with options in each!

**Friendly Disclosure: We paid for the accommodations we stayed at ourselves and were not told to include them in this article.

Accommodations By Type

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands – and it’s also the largest city in the country. Famous for its canals, history, and alternative culture (in places), the city is one of the most popular stops in Europe.

The nice thing is that it’s a versatile city with lots of different areas that cater to different interests. It’s also very much a city divided into pockets – meaning your experience might differ depending on which part of the city you explore or stay at.

For example, a backpacker looking to party and a couple looking for a romantic getaway will both be completely satisfied – and likely wouldn’t even cross paths. That said, where you stay can play a huge role in shaping your experience.

So, this Amsterdam post is divided into two parts: accommodations by type – hotel, apartment, etc. – and then great areas to stay in Amsterdam.

If you know the type of accommodation you want, you can get browsing in the next section OR if you want to read about the areas you can head further down in this post!

Hotels in Amsterdam

Since it’s such a large and popular city for all different travellers, there are many hotels to choose from in Amsterdam. The hotels are spread out across the city in all the different areas so it can be slightly overwhelming to choose one.

⇒ Get started searching for hotels across Amsterdam here

Having said that, we’ve divided up the hotels in Amsterdam by type so you can check out ones that align with your style/needs and budget!

While there are many hotels in the city, there are some that are more popular than others (for their locations, amenities, etc).

So, if you are just looking for a normal, popular, reliable, mid-range priced hotel with good value for money in a very good/central location, these are some great options:

Budget/Cheap Hotels in Amsterdam

If you are looking for a budget hotel or a “cheap” hotel in Amsterdam, you will certainly have options as well. One thing about Amsterdam is that when we say “budget”, we don’t just mean price.

There are some places that are cheap in price because there aren’t (m)any amenities – it’s just a place to lay your head.

There are also budget hotels that offer a few more amenities (like breakfast) but are more affordable because they are simple hotels and/or are in areas further from the centre (which might actually sometimes be better than staying right in the centre – depending on trip length, type of trip etc.). So, don’t write a place off right away because it’s “cheap”.

For example, Urban Lodge Hotel is a great, popular hotel that is affordable because it’s farther from the centre. But compared to city centre prices it’s amazing value… so it goes here as well as in the “boutique hotel” section!

Here are a number of places to check out if you’re travelling on a budget:

• Hotel CC Amsterdam – A popular and surprisingly modern hotel in the Red Light District
• Amsterdam Tropen Hotel – A nice budget hotel with breakfast available in a park to the east of the city centre
• Urban Lodge Hotel – A cozy and trendy hotel located near Sloterdijk station (Our Pick)
• Hotel Espresso – A cozy boutique hotel with free coffee on a tram line in Oud-West (also Our Pick)

Boutique Hotels in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a number of boutique-style hotels to check out, too. We generally look for hotels that are cool, quirky, and/or have some element of character to them. (We also stay at chain hotels – but opt for local ones, if possible).

So, if you are looking for a lovely, cozy, and potentially photogenic hotel, here are a bunch to check out.

We’ve stayed at the top two (Urban and Hotel2Stay) and liked them both. Urban Lodge has a great cozy entrance space with a fireplace while Hotel2Stay had amenities like a rooftop terrace.

• Urban Lodge Hotel – A cozy and trendy hotel located near Sloterdijk station (Our Pick)
• Hotel2Stay – A cool and functional aparthotel with terrace steps from Sloterdijk Station
• Pillows Anna van den Vondel – A trendy and chic hotel with breakfast available steps from Vondelpark
• Hotel Dwars Amsterdam – A gorgeous brick and wood hotel right in the Canal Ring
• The Hoxton – A trendy and hip hotel with a cool lounge located right on the famous Canals

Luxury Hotels in Amsterdam

Of course, no big European city would be complete without having a number of luxury hotels to choose from. Amsterdam is no different.

There are luxury hotels in excellent locations that allow you to have amazing views of the city or the famous Canals, top-notch amenities, and more. Check out these top-rated luxury hotels in Amsterdam:

• De L’Europe Amsterdam – A historic yet modern hotel with terrace views of the Amstel River (Our Pick)
• Pulitzer Amsterdam – A sophisticated and colourful hotel overlooking the beautiful canals
• Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam – A bright and elegant hotel overlooking the south canals
• Conservatorium Hotel – A modern luxury hotel in a historic building steps from the top museums in the Museum Quarter

Bed and Breakfasts in Amsterdam

Of course, you don’t have to opt for a hotel if you are visiting Amsterdam. There are also a number of guesthouses (or bed and breakfasts) scattered around the city. These places generally offer a more cozy, homey feel.

That said, you can find B&Bs all over the city – not just in the quieter areas. This means that you can get a quaint stay and potentially a breakfast included without sacrificing a great location! You can check here for bed and breakfasts in Amsterdam.

Since you can find many different B&Bs in Amsterdam, here are a number of top-rated ones to get you started:

• B&B Jordaan Corner – A clean and bright B&B with breakfast included right in Jordaan (close to Anne Frank House) (Our Pick)
• Tulip of Amsterdam B&B – A quirky and cozy B&B just outside the heart of the Red Light District
• at Noel’s (formerly Crown B&B) – An upscale and cozy B&B in vintage building
• Amsterdam B&B Barangay – A warm and welcoming B&B just west of the centre on the Canals

Hostels in Amsterdam

If you are in search of a hostel in Amsterdam, there are literally dozens to choose from. Amsterdam is a popular city for backpackers and those looking to meet friends/generally be social – and a hostel stay is a great way to make that happen!

Eric actually stayed in a classic Amsterdam hostel years ago (Flying Pig Uptown, shown above).

It’s located right by Vondelpark in the south end of the city centre and was great to stay at. That said, there are MANY more hostels to choose from – all offering different things for travellers.

⇒ Check here for Amsterdam Hostels on Hostelworld

Below you’ll find a number of top-rated hostels in Amsterdam. There are many to choose from in different areas so be sure to read all the details to book one that works best for you. Also, book early because even bunks in dorm-style rooms can get pricey in the summer!

• ClinkNoord – A bright and very popular hostel/hotel with city views from Noord
• Flying Pig Uptown – A fun and classic hostel setting near Vondelpark (there’s also Flying Pig Downtown close to Centraal Station)
• Hans Brinker Hostel – A simple and social hostel with free breakfast located close to Leidseplein for nightlife
• The Bulldog – An adults-only hostel in the heart of the Red Light District

Aparthotels/Apartments in Amsterdam

If you are heading to Amsterdam for a few days and/or travelling with family, you might be looking for an apartment rental. Apartments can be great because you can have a base for the time you are exploring.

Apartments are also a great way to keep costs down because you can cook/prepare your own food instead of eating out all the time! We stayed in one of the Short Stay Apartments – Eastern Docklands with Eric’s family and had a great stay.

The location was right on the water in the east end so it was quiet – but there was a tram close by to get into the centre in like 6 minutes. Check-in was simple and the apartments were clean, cozy, and had what we needed!

• Eastern Docklands Apartments – Modern and cozy apartments in the east end with water views and tram nearby (Our Pick)
• One and Only Bedroom – A bright and spacious apartment with breakfast included in the heart of the city centre
• Zoku Amsterdam – A popular modern and functional aparthotel with a rooftop terrace near the Skinny Bridge on the Amstel River
• Stieglitz Suites – A cool boutique apartment in the heart of the Canals just north of the popular Heineken Experience

You might be looking for an Airbnb in Amsterdam – and you totally can book one – but we wouldn’t recommend one for this city. This is because Amsterdam is already facing a housing crisis and Airbnb kind of exacerbates this issue.

Houseboats in Amsterdam

Of course, there’s one other accommodation type that you can stay at that is unique to Amsterdam: houseboats! If you want to stay right in the city but ALSO stay on the water, look no further.

Many houseboats take on a cozy, B&B feel and have full amenities because they run on city utilities (water, sewage, etc). Basically, you get hotel amenities but get to sleep in a boat on the water! Some are renovated and modern while others are more rustic and simple – so you get to choose.

Below are a number of top houseboats you can sleep in when visiting Amsterdam. We want to book one of these houseboats the next time we visit!

• Prince Royal B&B – A cozy renovated boat in Jordaan right across from the Anne Frank House (Our Pick)
• Asile Flottant – A “floating hotel” of different renovated boats up in Noord with views
• Botel Sailing Home – Another cozy floating hotel with a great breakfast and nice hosts
• Rob’s Houseboat – A modern houseboat with water edge views in the quieter east end

Accommodation By Area/Neighbourhood

Now that we’ve gone over the accommodations in Amsterdam by type, it’s time to dive into the best areas to stay in Amsterdam. Keep in mind that these are not ALL the areas to stay in – that list would be too long.

This post is about providing you with a sample of the best areas to suit different interests. We literally walked around major parts of the city exploring them so that we could explain them better and recommend them. We also only mention accommodation options we would stay at ourselves!

Below, you’ll find a rundown of the areas we cover in this post. You’ll learn about the area and why it might be a good fit for you. Then, we’ll show you a number of accommodations to check out in that area. Generally speaking, we start with the Amsterdam city centre and work our way outwards!

That said, if you know which area you want to check out – like the Old Centre, Museum Quarter, or Jordaan – then you can check out our top pick for each featured area below!

Finally, it’s important to know that Amsterdam is a safe city to visit. You should have no problem in the areas we list below. However, as a popular tourist city (especially in the summer) you do need to watch for pickpockets in public areas and on public transport.

Also, don’t swim in the Canals because that’s disgusting.
Also, treat the city and its people with respect and you’ll have a great time.

Amsterdam Centrum 

As with many cities, lots of people heading to Amsterdam want to stay in the city centre. Understandably so. The thing with Amsterdam is that the “Centrum” is actually kind of large and has a number of smaller areas that you can stay in – each with its own distinct vibe.

This is why for this post, we’ve divided the Centre up into four distinct areas: Nieuwe Zijde (New Side), De Wallen (Old Neighbourhood/Red Light District), The Canal Ring (forms a horseshoe “U” around the upper two areas), and Jordaan (a trendy neighbourhood to the west of this centre).

Below, you can read about these specific areas, what there is to do and see, and look for accommodations that suit you in each of them. This is better than saying “stay in the city centre” and then you end up in a place you don’t like the vibe of because we weren’t specific enough.

Nieuwe Zijde

Since the heart of the city centre is such a popular area, finding a place to stay in Nieuwe Zijde might be a good idea for you. Known as “New Side” in English, this area is the other half of the Old Centre opposite the Red Light District.

This area runs lengthwise from Amsterdam Centraal Station in the north to the floating flower market (the Bloemenmarkt). A highlight of the area is the main pedestrian shopping street – Kalverstraat – as well as the massive Royal Palace at Dam Square.

Across the street, you’ll find the National Monument, too – so there are LOADS of attractions in this busy area of the centre. Below are some of the top accommodations in this area – many of the hotels are right by the Centraal Station or down closer to the canals or Amstel River for great water views!

Park Plaza Victoria – Check Now

• Style: A Modern and Trendy Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Across from Centraal Station – right in the city centre
• Featured Amenities: Bar and restaurant onsite, sauna and indoor pool, coffee/tea in rooms

NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Bright and Modern Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Overlooking Dam Square and the Palace in the heart of Amsterdam city centre
• Featured Amenities: Restaurant and cafe onsite, lovely views, great breakfast

at Noel’s (formerly Crown B&B) – Check Now

• Style: An Upscale and Cozy B&B
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: In a historic building just steps from canals and shopping in the heart of the city centre
• Featured Amenities: Large private bedroom, shared living room and kitchen with the incredibly friendly host, Noel!

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam – Check Now

• Style: A Cool and Trendy Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
• Location: Close to Centraal Station and steps from shopping and the main street through the City Centre
• Featured Amenities: Bar/restaurant onsite, complimentary tea, parking available

De Wallen

One of the things Amsterdam is known for is its Red Light District. So, it should come as no surprise that you can stay in this area called DeWallen. This part of the city centre is Amsterdam’s oldest neighbourhood so there is a ton of history to the area.

Besides the popular canals, this neighbourhood is the home to Amsterdam’s “alternative” culture which is embraced by the city. What you might not know is that you can stay in this part of the centre and actually be in a quieter area without all the craziness.

During the day, the area is very normal with shops, cafes, places to eat, and things to see like the Oude Kerk (the oldest church in the city) or the Red Light Secrets Museum. At night, the area literally turns red because of the lights but it’s experienced by all – even families walking through.

— Check Here For Accommodations in the Red Light District

Below are some of the top accommodations in and around the Red Light District. Keep in mind that the area is large so you can choose to stay right in the heart of the action OR you can opt for the central location but in a quieter area of it. To each their own! No matter where you stay, you’ll be a short walk to the rest of the centre, the Canals, and beyond.

Hotel CC – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Sleek and Clean Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: In the north end of the District, some rooms with views of the Damrak/City Centre + not far from Central Station
• Featured Amenities: Breakfast served next door, tea/coffee in rooms

Radisson Blu Hotel Amsterdam City Center – Check Now

• Style: A Trendy and Popular Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
• Location: In the south end of the District – close to Canals and other attractions via bridges
• Featured Amenities: Bar/restaurant onsite, beautiful decor, parking onsite

Tulip of Amsterdam B&B – Check Now

• Style: A Quirky and Cozy B&B
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Just outside the heart of the Red Light District – close to Nieuwmarkt and Nieuwmarkt metro station
• Featured Amenities: nice breakfast options, luggage storage, cute cat onsite!

De L’Europe Amsterdam – Check Now

• Style: A Historic Yet Modern Luxury Hotel
• Price Range: Luxury
• Location: At the bottom of the heart of the city centre, right on/overlooking the grand Amstel River
• Featured Amenities: Bar/upscale restaurant onsite, pool/spa/gym, terrace views of the river

The Canal Ring

If you are heading to Amsterdam to check out the picturesque canals, then you should definitely try to stay in The Canal Belt. Also called the “Canal Ring”, this is a horseshoe-shaped series of canals and roads that surround the old city centre.

The canals here are historic and functional. This is where you find major canals like the Herengracht – or “Gentleman’s Canal” – which you can tour on a canal boat cruise.

The Canal Ring is great because no matter where you stay, you are very, very likely to have views of the Canals. Furthermore, you are always a quick walk into the centre or to other attractions around the city. It’s also generally a little quieter and more residential compared to the heart of the centre.

You can find major attractions like the Anne Frank House (and smaller museums like the KattenKabinet) located along these Canals. The Canal Ring is also known for a smaller area called the Negen Straatjes or “The 9 Streets” which is a compact area of boutique shops and cafes. We wandered through and it was beautiful – definitely a place to check out!

— Check Here For Accommodations/Hotels on the Canal Ring

If you are set on staying in the Canal Belt, below are some of the top accommodations throughout the area. This is definitely an area we will stay in on one of our next visits to Amsterdam.

Hotel Dwars Amsterdam – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Cozy and Very Cool Boutique Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
• Location: Right in the lovely Canal Ring – just south of the heart of the city centre
• Featured Amenities: Tea/coffee in room, air conditioning

Amsterdam B&B Barangay – Check Now

• Style: A Quirky and Cozy B&B
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: In the heart of the Canals, just west of the city centre, closer to the Anne Frank House
• Featured Amenities: Lovely hosts, great breakfast included

The Hoxton – Check Now

• Style: A Trendy and Hip Boutique Hotel
• Price Range: Upscale
• Location: As you can see above – right on the famous Herengracht Canal with amazing views
• Featured Amenities: Bar/lounge/restaurant onsite, small breakfast bag provided

Jordaan

The last area in the Centrum to check out is Jordaan. Often said to be Amsterdam’s “best” or “coolest” neighbourhood, Jordaan is a quieter mix of shops, cafes, loads of restaurants, and things to check out located to the west of the Canal Belt. It is only a short walk or tram ride to the heart of the city centre.

One of the draws of Jordaan is how pretty it is – the Canals run in such a way that you’re bound to wander bridges, cobblestone streets, and get water views around almost every corner.

We really liked Jordaan when we wandered through. It’s a tall neighbourhood but you’re close to the Anne Frank House, Cheese Museum, Tulip Museum, and Houseboat Museum.

— Check Here For Accommodations/Hotels in Jordaan

Below are some of the top accommodations in Jordaan. You won’t find many big hotels – instead, there are smaller, cozier hotels or bed and breakfasts tucked away between houses here.

Mr. Jordaan – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Rustic and Trendy Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Right in the heart of Jordaan, overlooking the canals. Short walk to Anne Frank House (we walked it)
• Featured Amenities: Free coffee, good breakfast, canal views!

Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel – Check Now

• Style: A Quaint and Simple Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Overlooking the Canal in Jordaan – very, very close to “The 9 Streets” shopping area
• Featured Amenities: Breakfast included, great views, lovely staff

Linden Hotel – Check Now

• Style: A Trendy and Cool Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: In the north end of Jordaan – a short walk to the Canal Belt and slightly longer to Centraal Station
• Featured Amenities: Free hot drinks/snacks all day, good breakfast, super friendly staff

Oud-West

Just outside the “Centrum area” listed above is a smaller neightbourhood that still offers many things the centre does – Oud-West. “Old West”, as it’s called in English, is a triangle-shaped area to the west of the Canal Ring and north of the famous Vondelpark.

The area actually has a number of canals running through it – making it a good alternative to the centre. We really liked the area because it was still busy with activity but not as wild as the centre.

There are also things to explore here like the Food Hallen (a massive food truck hall which you should eat at) inside De Hallen cultural complex. There are lots of places to eat, shop, and places to stay – and there are tram tracks that run along the major streets making it easy to get to places farther away.

That said, you can also walk the short distance from the area into the Canal Belt and you’re into the heart of the city easily enough.

— Check Here For Accommodations in the Oud-West

Below are some of the top accommodations in Oud-West. This is a smaller area with the hotels below located on popular streets close to food and drink places.

That said, there are a number of hotels packed together right where the area meets the Canal Ring at Leidseplein (also kind of close to the Museum Quarter).

Hotel Espresso – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Cozy and Boutique Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: Right on a major street with tram in the heart of Oud-West
• Featured Amenities: Nice breakfast, bike rental onsite, free coffee station!

Hotel Heye 130 – Check Now

• Style: A Simple and Functional Hotel (popular)
• Price Range: Lower Mid-Range
• Location: Between a canal and Vondelpark, on a street with cafes, restaurants, and more
• Featured Amenities: Comfortable beds, helpful staff

Hotel De Hallen – Check Now

• Style: A Trendy and Very Cool Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Just behind De Hallen Cultural Complex – close to the Food Hallen
• Featured Amenities: Inner courtyard, bar/restaurant onsite, great lounge area

Pillows Anna van den Vondel Amsterdam – Check Now

• Style: A Trendy and Chic Boutique Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
• Location: Just off a main street (quiet) and steps to the popular Vondelpark
• Featured Amenities: Nice staff, bar/restaurant onsite, breakfast available

Oud-Zuid

If you want lots of attractions to explore and places to eat, then you should check out Oud-Zuid. This large neighbourhood – located in the south of the main city centre – is called Old South because of the area’s history. It’s just outside of the Canal Belt, for reference.

Technically, this neighbourhood is divided into smaller areas like the Museumkwartier (with Museum Quarter), the trendy area of De Pijp, and includes the massive and beautiful Vondelpark.

This is a great area if you want things to do close by: Museumkwartier has high-end shopping as well as the famous Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and MANY more. De Pijp is packed with restaurants and shops and is home to two top attractions – the Heineken Experience and the Albert Cuyp Market.

Overall, we really like this area because it’s a mix of busy and quiet with locals mingling with the tourists. There’s something for everyone – and you’ll still find canals. So, what’s not to like?

— Check Here For Hotels in Oud-Zuid

Below you can find some of the top accommodations in the Oud-Zuid area. Keep in mind they are pretty spread out because the area is large but you’ll find clusters of hotels close to attractions and many will be well-connected via transit.

Sir Albert Hotel Amsterdam – Check Now

• Style: A Modern and Upscale Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: On a Canal – walking distance between the Museum Quarter and the lively De Pijp area
• Featured Amenities: Bar/restaurant onsite, bike rentals, private terrace, good breakfast

Olympic Hotel – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Bright and Popular Hotel
• Price Range: Budget
• Location: A little further outside the centre, but on the water with green space near, short walk to Metro station
• Featured Amenities: Bar/restaurant onsite, jacuzzi tubs, rooms with views, nice breakfast

XO Hotels Van Gogh – Check Now

• Style: A Simple and Popular Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: Right between the high-end shopping street and the heart of the museums (in Museum Quarter)
• Featured Amenities: Van Gogh art throughout, bike rentals onsite, packed lunch, good breakfast available

Conservatorium Hotel – Check Now

• Style: A Modern Hotel in a Historic Building
• Price Range: Luxury
• Location: On a street corner close to the Concert Hall, upscale shopping, and many museums
• Featured Amenities: Upscale bar/restaurant onsite, spa/wellness centre, outstanding staff, great breakfast

Sloterdijk/Westpoort

One of the most popular areas to stay in Amsterdam that isn’t right in the city centre is the area around Sloterdijk Station. This area includes Westpoort and a bit of the massive park (Westerpark).

Generally speaking, this area (shown above) is more commercial but is loaded with hotels to stay at as well as places to eat and a few grocery stores. The main draw of the area is the fact that it’s a massive transit hub for trains, trams, and buses. For example, from this area, you can be in the city centre at Amsterdam Central in 10 minutes by train.

You can also head for other parts of the city centre by bus or tram and be there in a short amount of time. You can ALSO hop on the train from Sloterdijk Station and be at the airport (Schiphol) in 10 minutes. We stayed at Hotel2Stay for this exact reason with an early flight and it worked out well.

We like this area because the price can be a lot cheaper for some great quality hotels because you aren’t right in the centre. The cost to take transit to the centre is small each day so if you want a great hotel, a quieter place to stay and are fine with taking the train home each day, Sloterdijk is a great option.

— Check Here For Hotels In the Sloterdijk/Westpoort Area

Below you can find some of the most popular hotels in and around Sloterdijk. Keep in mind that most of the hotels here are well-reviewed and very popular – so these are just some examples. As we mentioned, we stayed in Urban Lodge and Hotel2Stay and liked them both.

Urban Lodge Hotel – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Cozy and Trendy Hotel (very popular)
• Price Range: Budget/Upper Budget
• Location: A short walk from Sloterdijk Station, easy to get to from the city centre
• Featured Amenities: Great staff, parking onsite available, bar and breakfast onsite

Hotel2Stay – Check Now

• Style: A Clean and Bright Aparthotel
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: Just steps from Sloterdijk Station, VERY close to the tram/bus/train stop
• Featured Amenities: Rooftop terrace, gym and sauna onsite, kitchenettes in rooms

Mercure Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station – Check Now

• Style: A Modern and Trendy Chain Hotel
• Price Range: Budget
• Location: Across the street from Sloterdijk Station – very short walk
• Featured Amenities: Restaurant and gym onsite, private parking, bar with city views from upper floor!

Zeeburg+

If you are looking for a quieter, more relaxed stay with water and green space, you should check out Zeeburg. We wrote”+” because while we mean the area called Zeeburg – located east of the city centre – we also included another area in Amsterdam Oost “East” around Oosterpark (a nice park).

Zeeburg is a more diverse area with great eateries, markets, and lots of water views. This is where we stayed in an apartment for a few days and it was honestly great. It’s also easy to get to the centre with the tram or a train from Muiderpoort Station.

Close by you can find the famous De Gooyer Windmill with a brewery right beside it. You can also find grocery stores if you’re staying more than one night (like we did) which made cooking meals a breeze.

The other area over here in the east end that we liked was the area around Oosterpark. This area – located just southeast of the city centre – includes attractions like the Tropenmuseum and Oosterpark (which we wandered through) and it’s really lovely.

The area overall is very green and peaceful. There are hotels in and around the park which are popular, too. We ate dinner at de Biertuin one night and it’s worth checking out.

— Check Here For Accommodations in Zeeburg

Below are some of the top accommodations in this area. There aren’t a ton of places to choose from – but you can find houseboats which make for a unique stay as well as hotels close to Oosterpark for a short walk/tram into the centre.

Eastern Docklands Apartments – Check Now

• Style: Renovated and Cozy Apartments
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: On a strip of land along the Canals over in the east end in Zeeburg – tram to city centre is very close by!
• Featured Amenities: Full kitchens, secure building, water views

Hotel Arena – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Beautiful and Tranquil Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Close to a Canal, backing onto a lovely green park, Oosterpark
• Featured Amenities: Cafe/restaurant onsite, outdoor terrace area, bike rentals at the hotel

The Manor Amsterdam – Check Now

• Style: A Trendy and Sophisticated Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Just south of Oosterpark, close to restaurants, trams, and a train station
• Featured Amenities: Bar/lounge/restaurants onsite, bike rentals, terrace, quality breakfast

Noord

Finally, if you are looking for a place to stay with a major waterway close by, then you should stay in Noord. This neighbourhood – located north of the city centre – is split from the inner city by the IJ. This body of water was (and still is) important to the city for trade. Now, cruise ships dock at the nearby ports.

If you stay in Noord, there are a few places to eat, grocery stores, and a bunch of green spaces – but not as many as on the other side of the IJ in the main city. Generally, staying here means that you explore the city during the day and come back to lay your head each night while you visit.

That said, you can take the ferry from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station to the other ferry terminal (Buiksloterweg) as a fast way to get across. There’s also a tunnel – the IJ Tunnel – so if you have a car/taxi you can get back this way.

The ferry is also popular because there are a number of attractions right on the shore in Noord – namely the A’dam Lookout Tower and the Eye Film Museum (shown above).

— Check Here For Accommodations in Noord

Below are some of the top accommodations in Noord. There aren’t that many options but the ones listed below are definitely worth checking out for their location, views, and prices!

ClinkNoord – Check Now

• Style: A Bright and Social Hostel/Hotel (very popular)
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: Right behind the A’dam Lookout Tower, close to the Ferry Terminal
• Featured Amenities: Cafe, bar, library, lounge, and much more all onsite. Great breakfast!

Sir Adam Hotel – Check Now (Our Pick)

• Style: A Modern and Cool Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
• Location: Literally inside the A’dam Lookout Tower building. Great for views!
• Featured Amenities: Onsite bar/restaurant, gym, terrace, and bike rentals available

Asile Flottant – Check Now

• Style: Cozy and Renovated Houseboats – a Floating Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range – but the experience is one of a kind
• Location: On the water, a short walk to the ferry to the city centre
• Featured Amenities: Boats with kitchenettes, tea/coffee

Related Articles

If you’re looking for more posts on Amsterdam (and The Netherlands, in general), have a look at these ones:

• One Day in Amsterdam: A Great Day Itinerary
• Things to Do in Eindhoven

And there you have it – a rundown of where to stay in Amsterdam! In the end, this isn’t a complete list of all the areas and neighbourhoods to stay in. That said if you stick to these areas (a mix of our favourites and great options for most travellers) you’ll be just fine.

We’re confident that you’ll find a place that works well for you during your visit to Amsterdam. Just remember to book early if you can!

As always, Happy Amsterdam Hotel Waddlin’,
-L&E

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