On a Budget? and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

This hotel was offered to me by a travel agency in Maastricht: it is central and cheap, though toilets and showers are shared.
I had a single room, looking on an internal courtyard: not a perfect view but really quiet. I found the room to be quite small, it had a single bed, a small table with chair and a small closet to hang your coat. It had a sink and a TV.
All in all it was comfortable, just too small, but I think they have bigger rooms.
From what I could understand it is family managed; the hosts are really friendly.
In this hotel there is no real front desk, at least when I was there: in fact your room key also opens the main entrace door, giving you the freedom to come and go as you please.
Stairs are really steep and there is no elevator... but steep stairs are common in Amsterdam.
There was no air conditioning, but heating was good (I was there in february).
Though facilities are shared, I found them to be really clean.
The manager (I think the owner) offered me a rate of 30 Euros per night on my second week's stay...but you have to pay the whole stay in advance and cash. If you want to use a credit card they charge a fee (I think 5%) but I paid cash.
Breakfast is included in the rate and is served in the breakfast room. It is a continental breakfast with scrambled eggs, toasts and ham and cheese, orange juice...

I do recommend this hotel if you're on a budget and want to stay in the center of Amsterdam: it is placed on a side canal of Leidseplein.
If you have motion problems, prefer private facilities or want more comfort in the room look elsewhere.

Unique Qualities: It's in a great location, on canal alongside Leidseplein, practically close to all major attractions and in the center of the nightlife.
I'm sure the front rooms overlooking the canal have great views.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +31 (0)20 6230295
Address: LeidseKade, practically on LeidsePlein
Directions: From Central Station take the tram and stop at LeidsePlein, then keep walking, cross the big street and you'll see a building that looks like a castle. Take the street on the left of the "castle" alongside the canal: it's a short walk to the hotel
Website: http://www.kooykhotel.nl/
Other Contact: kooyk006@planet.nl

Jolly Hotel Carlton is located in the center of Amsterdam right on the flower market. It has every comfort a hotel of its class should offer, plus a cafe and a luxury restaurant offering italian cuisine.
An important thing for me, it has 2 spacious elevators...
Rooms are comfortable, more spacious than the average in Amsterdam with a king size bed, a big tv, a desk with wireless and wired internet, a minibar and a spacious bathroom.
The minibar is a bit pricey, and the internet, offered by Swisscom, goes at 24Euros per 24 hours. So any extra is actually pricey. For the internet you could also use the computer available in the Hall, it costs a bit less, but if you're without a laptop and need the internet I would recommend going to some internet cafe.
The room I had was a superior double room, it looked on the busy vizelstraat, but it was totally quiet, no noise could come in unless you opened the window.
I was here in August so aircondition is a must and well, for my taste it was barely functioning and tuning the controls didn't change anything... it was not that bad anyway.
Even the restaurant is pricey, but i think you should dine there at least once.
The front desk personnel was friendly and helpful, apart from a few ppl (particularly in the night) who were just corteus.
Anyway there were really helpful in helping me recover lost baggage and reserve for special tours.

In the end I recommend this hotel if you have some money to spend and you won't be disappointed. Also if you look at websites such as bookings.nl you could get a special price like i did.

Unique Qualities: Great location, good views, very comfotable, close to shopping avenues and lots of restaurants and coffee shops.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: Vijzelstraat 4 Hk, Amsterdam, 1017 HK
Directions: it is next to the flower market, near the Munt Tower
Website: www.jollyhotels.com