First of all, Paul is a great guy. He will provide you with maps, information and anything else you might need upon your arrival in Amsterdam, like a cellphone, your first ticket or even groceries if you arrive late at night and ask for it. The only thing he will ask from you is not to make noise in the apartment, which makes sense, as you'll be living in a typical Amsterdam apartment with thin walls, and as such loud music inside the apartment can be a great nuisance to your neighbours. After all, you're in Amsterdam, right ? You're not there to have parties in your apartment, the whole city is a big, live party. Take your party outside or get involved in an outside party, whatever's best for you, just mind your neighbours as you would do in your house.
Other than that, you'll be sure to sleep in comfortable double beds with beautiful clean sheets, you'll have hot water 24/7 and of course plenty of peace and quiet for your resting needs. You'll have a washing machine, an iron and an ironing board for your clothes, a fridge and all cooking facilities/kitchen equipment to make your own coffee/breakfast/lunch/dinner. You'll also have a great comfortable couch on the living room with a small table, a TV and DVD set and a stereo, but as mentioned earlier, for your personal use only, the neighbours don't have to share your moods. On the living room you'll also find plenty of storage space for your clothes, drawers with everyday or emergency stuff like scissors or batteries, extra linen and sheets for the beds. Best of all - it felt absolutely safe staying in this apartment, if that's a concern to you as it was to me.
Overall, staying in Paul's apartment is a great value for money. Paul will make sure you won't miss a thing from home necessities while staying on the apartment, and will be available for any problem you might have during your stay. He's definitely a suggestion for a clean, comfortable, safe and quality accomodation for a great price in the city centre.
Unique Qualities: Paul's apartment is located near Central Station, along a passage between Brouwersgracht and Haarlemerstraat. If you're not familiar with Haarlemerstraat, you have to know that you'll stay in a typical Dutch street with locals for neighbours and shops for everyday needs with great deals, not tourist traps. There, you'll get as close to the Dutch way of living as you can possibly get without moving there permanently.
Everything is around the corner on Haarlemerstraat - ATM's, super markets, bookstores (for your stripenkaarts), coffeeshops, pubs, fast food, electronics, clothes, you name it. And if there's something you can't find, Zeedijk is just five minutes away on foot, ten if you're like me and just wander around absorbing as much Amsterdam as you can possibly get.
Around the other corner is Brouwersgracht, one of the most beautiful canals of Amsterdam. Wake up early, sit on a bench or just walk along Brouwersgracht and watch this part of the city wake up - you just can't beat this for an early morning Amsterdam feeling...
Don't feel like walking ? The tram stop is just one minute away on Haarlemersplein, where tram 3 takes you to Leidseplein, the best spot in town to kick off your evening adventures. Just remember to switch trams after two stops with tram 3, after that any tram will take you to Leidseplein.
A lot of things make this apartment special - its personality, its peace, its comfort but mostly its location. It felt great to walk on Haarlemerdijk/Haarlemerstraat at the evening watching the locals having their beers at a brown cafe, and it felt great wandering around this neighbourhood during the day on my way to the heart of the city. Staying in this apartment made me love Amsterdam even more than I already did, since it's a piece of the real Amsterdam, as the locals will assure you if you mention the neighbourhood you're staying. Don't miss a stay there, especially if you're in Amsterdam for something more than coffeeshops or the RLD...
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Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$40-80
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Address: Very close to Haarlemersplein, on a small street between Brouwersgracht and Haarlemerstraat.
Directions: Last turn on Haarlemerstraat before Haarlemersplein, turn left. The apartment is at the end of this narrow street, only a few meters away from Brouwersgracht.
Website: http://paul131200.tripod.com/amsterdamholidayapartment/
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on Aug 17, 2005
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