Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide
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Tram #4, 9, 16, 24, or 25 to Muntplein. Walk down Nieuwe Doelenstraat; Kloveniersburgwal will be on the right over the bridge. 8- to 20-bed dorms €15-27.50; private rooms €39-70.
Red Light District
Lined with popular hotels and hostels, Warmoesstraat is great if you’re looking for a place with a bustling backpacker atmosphere. While the prices here vary seasonally as they do in most of the city’s neighborhoods, rates in the Red Light District also tend to fall drastically during the middle of the week.
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT HOTEL
Warmoesstraat 55
HOTEL
020 62 449 74 www.greenhouse-effect.nl
The Greenhouse Effect has some of the nicest rooms in all of Amsterdam, so they’re definitely miles above the Red Light District average. The hotel’s location -above a welcoming bar and next door to a great coffeeshop is also special, particularly since guests receive discounts at both establishments.
From Centraal Station, go south on Damrak, turn right onto Brugsteeg, and veer left onto Warmoesstraat. Singles €65-75; doubles €95-110; triples €130.
DURTY NELLY’S HOSTEL
Warmoesstraat 115-117
HOSTEL
020 63 801 25 www.durtynellys.nl
A deservedly popular hostel, Durty Nelly’s boasts co-ed dorms that are, ironically, very clean. They aren’t terribly spacious, but the rooms feel more cozy than cramped. Guests receive a discount on food and drink at the pub below, and the staff is happy to help arrange sightseeing around the city.
From Centraal Station, go south on Damrak, turn right onto Brugsteeg, and veer right onto Warmoesstraat. 4- to 10-bed dorms €25-50.
MEETING POINT YOUTH HOSTEL
Warmoesstraat 14
HOSTEL
020 62 774 99 www.hostel-meetingpoint.nl
The cheapest prices and most spacious dorms in the Red Light District—you know this place is gonna be popular with young backpackers. The eight- or 18-bed co-ed dorms are plain but large and airy. There’s a 24hr. bar downstairs.
From Centraal Station, turn left onto the far side of Prins Hendrikkade, then bear right onto Nieuwebrugsteeg, then a right onto Warmoesstraat. 18-bed dorms €18-25; 8-bed €25-30.
HOTEL INTERNATIONAAL
Warmoesstraat 1-3
HOTEL
020 62 455 20 www.hotelinternationaal.com
Similar to many of the other small bar-hotel setups along the street, Hotel Internationaal nevertheless stands out thanks to its extra-amicable staff and extra-pastel-green walls. The rooms are otherwise a bit nondescript—though those on the top floor have cool Tudor-style exposed beams.
From Centraal Station, turn left onto Prins Hendrikkade, then go right onto Nieuwebrugsteeg, then right onto Warmoesstraat. Doubles €65-85, with bath €85-110; quads €120-140.
Nieuwe Zijd
The Nieuwe Zijd is packed with accommodations, making it easy to stumble straight from Centraal Station into your room. Hotels here tend to be pricey for what you’re getting. Luckily, top-notch hostels abound.
FLYING PIG DOWNTOWN
Nieuwendijk 100
HOSTEL
020 42 068 22 www.flyingpig.nl
A lively bar (it doesn’t call itself a “party hostel” for nothing), a comfy smoking lounge, and spacious dorms make this a perennial favorite among backpackers. The young and cheerful staff makes the place feel like home, and frequent events, like live DJs three times a week, enhance the sociable atmosphere.
From Centraal Station, walk toward Damrak. Pass the Victoria Hotel and take the 1st alley on your right, which leads to Nieuwendijk. 4- to 18-bed dorms €20-30.
AIVENGO YOUTH HOSTEL
Spuistraat 6
HOSTEL
020 42 136 70
If you find the white walls and minimal decoration in most hostels a little boring, this is the place for you. Deep colors and gauzy purple curtains give the dorms a decadent, Arabian Nights sort of vibe. A mix of bunks and normal beds fills the large and sociable dorms.
From Centraal Station, walk down Martelarsgraacht; keep straight onto Hekelveld, which will turn into Spuistraat. Dorms €20-35; in winter prices as low as €12. Private rooms €70-110.
BOB’S YOUTH HOSTEL
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 92
HOSTEL
020 62 463 58 www.bobsyouthhostel.nl
A slightly hippie-er counterpart to the Flying Pig, Bob’s Youth Hostel attracts flocks of young travelers who enjoy lounging in the graffiti-filled bar area or outside on the steps (often with acoustic guitars). To leave room for more spontaneous travelers, only a small number of reservations are taken.
From Centraal Station, go down Martelaarsgracht and bear left as it becomes Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. 4- to 16-bed dorms €22; apartment €90 for 2 people, €120 for 3.
HOTEL BROUWER
Singel 83
HOTEL
020 62 463 58 www.hotelbrouwer.nl
If you want to get a sense of what it would be like to live in an old Dutch canal house, this is your best bet (and value). Of all the rooms (each named after a Dutch artist), the small double Bosch room is the real delight, with a living room space featuring antique furniture and a traditional box bed set into the wall.
From Centraal Station, cross the water, go right on Prins Hendrikkade, and left onto Singel. Doubles €100; triples €120.
HOTEL GROENENDAEL
Nieuwendijk 15
HOTEL
020 62 448 22 www.hotelgroenendael.com
Simple, slightly worn rooms are more than just bed-filled boxes thanks to lovely touches like molding around the wall edges, large windows, and a few small terraces. Breakfast is served in a cozy common area.
From Centraal Station, turn right, go left at Martelaarsgracht, and then head right onto Nieuwendijk. Singles €35; doubles €60; triples €90.
Canal Ring West and Scheepvaartbuurt
Raadhuisstraat is a row of hotel after hotel, making it a great place to try and find a room if everywhere else is full. For a quieter and more picturesque location, try one of the places in the Nine Streets or along a canal.
FREDERIC RENT-A-BIKE
Brouwersgracht 78
HOTEL, APARTMENTS
020 62 455 09 www.frederic.nl
Three amazing, homey rooms, each named after a different artist, sit at the back of Frederic’s bike rental shop. The rooms are surrounded by the cozy shop that’s filled with pianos, statues, and other knickknacks (including a small suit of armor). Frederic also rents out a number of houseboats and apartments in the area. You can end up saving quite a bit by staying in these impeccable apartments, which come at a price that’s more than competitive given their quality and location. Adding to the experience are the supremely helpful owners, who know the city inside and out and will give you some of the best Amsterdam advice you can find. They also have some great stories to tell; make sure to ask them about their experiences with other luminaries of the travel-writing world.
Leaving Centraal Station, make a right, cross the Singel, then walk 2 blocks down Brouwersgracht. Smaller rooms €40-50 as singles, €60-70 as doubles; Mondrian room €90-100. Apartments and houseboats range from €100 for 2 people to €225 for 6, with 15% reservation fee.
HOTEL CLEMENS
Raadhuisstraat 39
HOTEL
020 62 460 89 www.clemenshotel.com
Every room in this small hotel is lovingly decorated with French patterned wallpaper and tiered curtains. Enjoy breakfast on the balcony with a view of the Westerkerk. Best of all: it’s cheap.
Tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Singles €40-60; doubles €60-120; triples €120-150.
NADIA HOTEL
Raadhuisstraat 51
HOTEL
020 62 015 50 www.nadia.nl
Nadia Hotel boasts luxurious rooms with elegant bedspreads, large windows, and built-in wooden shelves. The double overlooking the canal will make you feel like you’re on a boat.
Tram #1
3, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Singles €50-90; doubles €65-100.
HOTEL PAX
Raadhuisstraat 37B
HOTEL
020 62 497 35 www.hotelpax.nl
The common spaces in Hotel Pax are brightly painted and hung with mirrors and prints, giving it a much nicer feel than other budget hotels nearby. The no-frills rooms are outfitted with plain metal-frame beds but remain spacious and airy.
Tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Singles from €35; doubles €60-90; quads €120-150.
Central Canal Ring and Rembrandtplein
Despite the neighborhood’s slim hotel pickings, the Central Canal Ring is an excellent place to call home. You’ll be close to Museumplein, Leidseplein, and the Nieuwe Zijd—pretty much wherever you might want to go in Amsterdam. To top it all off, these relatively quiet hotels come at a better value than those in the city center.
HEMP HOTEL
Fredericksplein 15
HOTEL
020 62 544 25 www.hemp-hotel.com
Each of Hemp Hotel’s rooms has a different geographic theme—the Caribbean, Tibet, and India are regions represented—brought to life by hemp fabrics, handmade wood carvings, and vibrant pictures. Book far in advance—the hotel is deservedly popular and fills up quickly. Make sure to try the hemp rolls at breakfast.
Tram #4, 7, 10, or 25 to Fredericksplein. Walk diagonally across the square. Singles €60; doubles €70, with bath €75.
THE GOLDEN BEAR
Kerkstraat 37
HOTEL
020 62 447 85 www.goldenbear.nl
Since 1948, this has been Amsterdam’s premier openly gay hotel (about 75% of the guests are male, though women and straight couples are certainly welcome). Besides its forward-thinking attitude, the hotel is notable for its welcoming staff and elegantly modern rooms at excellent prices. Management is changing in late 2010, so call ahead to find out if policies have changed.
Tram #1, 2, or 5 to Keizersgracht. Continue down Leidsestraat and make a right. Singles with shared bath €63-70; doubles €73-90, with bath €90-130.
CITY HOTEL
Utrechtstraat 2
HOTEL
020 62 723 23 www.city-hotel.nl
Large, brightly decorated, and perfectly clean rooms with colorful bedspreads and oversized pictures of flowers characterize this beautiful hotel. Some rooms have balconies, and those on the top floor have great views of Rembrandtplein and the rest of the city. Many of the rooms are made for five to eight people (some with bunk beds), but none feel cramped. There are no singles, though.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein; off the southeast corner of the main square. Doubles €135; triples €150; 6-person rooms €270.
HOTEL KAP
Den Texstraat 5b
HOTEL
020 62 459 08 www.kaphotel.nl
In the summer, when you can eat breakfast or simply relax in the leafy garden out back, Hotel Kap is a really lovely option. The rooms have high ceilings and great windows, though the furnishings are rather plain.
Tram #4, 7, 10, 16, 24, or 25 to Weteringcircuit. Walk down Weteringschans, make a right at 2e Weteringplantsoen, and then a left at Den Texstraat. Breakfast included. Singles with shared bath; doubles available with shared or ensuite bath. Wi-Fi €5 per stay. Singles €40-65; doubles €60-95.
West Of Town
If you want to live like a local but not commute like one, camp out in the Jordaan. Westerpark is extremely residential and has few accommodations, while Oud-West has a few more, particularly in the area close to Leidseplein.
SHELTER JORDAAN
Bloemstraat 179
HOSTEL
020 62 447 17 www.shelter.nl
Smaller and in a quieter location than its sister hostel in the Oude Zijd, the Shelter Jordaan has the same excellent prices, clean facilities, and comfortable atmosphere. Single-sex rooms are large and bright, with colorful beds and lockers that avoid the institutional feel to which many hostels succumb.
Tram #10 to Bloemstraat or tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Follow Lijnbaansgracht for 50m, then turn right onto Bloemstraat. 4- to 8-bed dorms €16.50-30.50.
HOTEL JUPITER
2nd Helmersstraat 14
HOTEL
020 61 871 32 www.jupiterhotel.nl
Charming both inside and out, this hotel’s rooms are a welcome break from the usual monochromatic hotel palette, with colorful walls and sleek modern furniture, and they’re only a 5min. walk from the Leidseplein.
Tram #3 or 12 to Overtoom. From Overtoom, walk 2 blocks away from Vondelpark on 1e C. Huygensstraat and make a right. High-season singles €54, with bath €64; doubles €74/99. Low-season singles €39/49; doubles €59/79. Triples and quads also available.
HOTEL VAN ONNA
Bloemgracht 104
HOTEL
020 62 658 01 www.vanonna.nl
The rooms on the top floor of this hotel are truly remarkable, with slanted ceilings and exposed wood beams, plus a view over the rooftops of the whole Jordaan. Rooms are impeccably clean.
Tram #10 to Bloemgracht or tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Cross Prinsengracht and make a right; Bloemgracht is 2 blocks away. Singles €45; doubles €90; triples €135.
Museumplein and Leidseplein
Hotels around Museumplein are removed from the city’s best food and drink but ooze residential luxury. And, of course, they put you a stone’s throw from the area’s great museums, so you can go back and see Night Watch again and again and again. Leidseplein also offers a few great options.
STAYOKAY AMSTERDAM VONDELPARK
Zandpad 5
HOSTEL
020 58 989 96 www.stayokay.nl/vondelpark
This is a large, slightly institutional-feeling hostel in between Vondelpark and Leidseplein. The dorms are spacious and incredibly clean, and each room has its own bathroom (the larger rooms have two). Staff are more than willing to help with any questions you may have about the city. Guests tend to be on the younger side of the backpacker set.
Tram #1, 2, 5, 7, or 10 to Leidseplein. Walk across the canal toward the Marriott, take a left, then make a right onto Zandpad after 1 block. 2- to 20-bed dorms €20-34; singles €50-80.
FLYING PIG UPTOWN
Vossiusstraat 46-47
HOSTEL
020 40 041 87 www.flyingpig.nl
We find it a little confusing that the Flying Pig Uptown is actually south of Flying Pig Downtown in Nieuwe Zijd, but then again, we can’t quite wrap our heads around the fact that the Nile runs south to north—no matter. This is the original Flying Pig, and with a tranquil location across from Vondelpark, this winged swine is a little less rowdy than its younger sibling. Nevertheless, it’s still a phenomenally popular and friendly hostel. With proximity to the Leidseplein, guests frequently start off here before going pubbing and clubbing—and then nurse their hangovers the next day.
Tram #2, 3, 5, or 12 to Van Baerlestraat. Walk down Van Baerlestraat toward Vondelpark and make a right onto Vossiusstraat. 2- to 10-bed dorms €14-40.
HOTEL BEMA
Concertgebouwplein 19b
HOTEL
020 67 913 96 www.bemahotel.com
Just across from the stunning Concertgebouw and the grassy expanse of Museumplein, Hotel Bema boasts rooms with incredible romantic elegance boosted by high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and old-fashioned floral wallpaper. Topping off the luxury, breakfast is brought to your room between 8:30am and 9am. We could get used to living like this, especially at such low prices.
Tram #3, 5, 12, 16, or 24 to Museumplein. Walk down the left side of the Concertgebouw and cross the street. Singles with shared bath €35-45; doubles €65-75, with bath €75-85.
BACKSTAGE HOTEL
Leisegracht 114
HOTEL
020 62 440 44 www.backstagehotel.com
We at Let’s Go may not be rock stars, but even without Keith Richards’ life experience under our belts, we can safely say that there is no way in hell any backstage area is
as glorious as the rooms of this hotel. The decor adheres strictly to a concert-venue theme: backboards are made to look like trunks, lamps like spotlights, ceiling lights have drum lampshades, and certain rooms have dressing tables that even Lady Gaga would envy. Some suites are quads and quints big enough to house your whole band. One room has been sponsored by Activision and is Guitar Hero themed, with your very own Xbox and game setup.
Tram #1, 2, or 5 to Leidseplein. Singles €35-85; doubles €48-145; quints €150-250.
FREELAND