Amsterdam, Netherlands - Amsterdam Hotel & Travel Destination Guide
Amsterdam Hotel & Travel Destination Guide
Cheaper Hotel Rates - Your ultimate source for Cheap, Discount Amsterdam Hotel Rates & Detailed Travel Information
Country Code: NL
Source: Fastcheck Arrival Guides
Population:
1 million
Currency:
1 Euro = 100 cents
Opening hours:
Normally 09.00 to 18.00 Monday to Saturday, some Thursdays and Fridays to 20.00. Larger shop chains in the tourist areas also open on Sundays, 12.00 to 17.00.
Tourist information:
Leidseplein 1
Opening hours: 9.00-19.00, Monday to Friday; and 9.00-17.00 at weekends and public
holidays.
Tel: +31 105-512 525; or from Amsterdam, tel: 0900 400 4040
www.amsterdamtourist.nl
Amsterdam
With its characteristic canals - surrounded by narrow, low, crooked 17th century houses - Amsterdam is one of the most charming capital cities in Europe, without doubt. Here, you do your sightseeing trip by boat, the shops are small and offer personal service, and the cafes often have tables on the pavement, facing the water. With a rich cultural life and wide range of entertainment, Amsterdam is a full-scale capital city, but has retained its small-town feel.
Amsterdam City
One look at the map of the city shows that there are almost as many canals in the centre as there are streets. While most streets look more like alleys - short and narrow - the canals are much wider. For this reason, not many Amsterdam residents drive a car in the city. It is easier to travel round by boat or tram. Apart from this, bicycles are the most popular and practical means of transport in Amsterdam but it is also an excellent city to explore by foot.
Admittedly, you can easily get lost in Amsterdam, where the streets wind round like threads in a spider’s web - but there is nowhere else that is so pleasant to get lost in! Beautiful house facades, tulip sellers, street musicians and crowds of people are Amsterdam in a nutshell. Wandering aimlessly between the Central Station and Vondelpark is an entertainment all by itself. Anybody looking for serious entertainment will not be disappointed. In recent years, increasing numbers of modern restaurants and bars have opened in areas such as Jordaan and De Pijp, even though Leidseplein still has the densest concentration of restaurants. Present-day Amsterdam is more cocktails in modern lounges, where the most popular plant is rocket salad. But the national mentality is extremely liberal and social. Here, everybody can be themselves and still fit in.
Things to See and Do in Amsterdam
The city’s fantastic architecture is best seen from a sightseeing boat in the canals. A couple of art museums and one of the modern galleries are a must in this elegant, cultured city which also offers high class football.
Canal Boats
Sightseeing boats depart continually during the day from the Central station, Damrak and the Rijksmuseum. The guided tours take 45 minutes. Other alternatives are the canal bus - with eleven stops close to museums and shopping streets - or the museum boat which circulates between all the museums.
Address: From the Central station, Damrak and the Rijksmuseum
Internet: www.canalbus.nl www.rederijlovers.nl
Walking Round
The narrow 17th century houses have large windows at eye height, so you can see a lot more than just the beautiful facades - overlooking is part of the street scene.
Some exciting areas to walk round in:
The Dam square with the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) built in 1665, Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) built in the 15th century.
The Old Church (the city’s oldest building) dates from 1302 and is sited on Warmoesstraat. Western Canal Belt (Herengracht, Keizergracht, Prinsengracht) consists of charming small streets containing shops, galleries and cafes.
Van Gogh Museum
In addition to the world’s largest collection of art by Vincent van Gogh, there are a lot of other impressionists, such as Monet and Gauguin. Open daily 10-18.
Address: Paulus Potterstraat 7
Underground: 2, 3, 5, 12 to Van Baerlestraat, 16, 24 to Museumplein
Phone: +31(0)20 570 5200
Internet: www.vangoghmuseum.nl
Rijksmuseum (national Museum)
One of the world’s most exclusive art collections. Among the 5000 works, Rembrandt’s “Last Supper” is definitely the finest. The museum will be under renovation until 2008, so be prepared of a certain amount of building dust. At present, “only” 200 works are on display, which can actually be an advantage, since the museum becomes easier to survey.
Open every day 10 - 17.
Address: Stadhouderskade 42
Underground: 2 and 5 to Hobbermastraat, 3, 12, 16 to Museumplein
Phone: +31 (0)20 674 7047
Internet: www.rijksmuseum.nl
Stedeljike Museum
The Modern Museum’s permanent premises on Museumplein will be under renovation until 2008. Temporary exhibitions are found in the former post office by the Central Station, on floors two and three. If you are here anyway, go up to Bar 11 on the eleventh floor and enjoy some coffee with a fine view. Open every day 10 - 18, but closes at 17.00 on certain public holidays and Christmas Eve.
Address: Oosterdokskade 5
Underground: Most trams stop at the Central Station.
Phone: + 31 (0)20 573 2911
Internet: www.stedelijk.nl
Anne Frank Huis (anne Frank’s House)
This is where a Jewish family, the Franks, hid from the Nazis during WWII. They were betrayed and their daughter Anne died in a concentration camp. After her death, the diary was found and it became world famous. Frequently a long queue. Least crowded a few hours before closing. Open every day 9 -19.
Address: Prinsengracht 267, Tram: 13. 14, 17 to Westermarkt
Phone: +31 (0)20 556 7100
Internet: www.annefrank.nl
Galleri De Kunstfabriek
The Art Factory has recently moved to new premises in a hip location, Westergasfabriek. There are always exciting exhibitions to be surprised about.
Address: Polonceaukade 20, Westergasfabriekterrein
Underground: 18 from the Central Station
Phone: + 31 (0)20 488 94 30
Internet: www.dekunstfabriek.com
Galleri De Appel
At De Apple, the latest avant-garde art is always on display! Open 11-18, closed Mondays.
Address: Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 10
Underground: The museum boat
Phone: + 31 (0)20 625 5651
Internet: www.deappel.nl
Ajax Football Museum
Watching a league match in Amsterdam with Ajax, the home team, is great fun, even if you are not interested in football. It is obvious that football is equated with high gravity beer (in plastic glasses) here, and that the mood in the arena is animated, but friendly. Tickets are sold via www.ajax.nl. There is also an Ajax museum in the stadium. Open daily 10-17.
Address: Amsterdam Arena, Arena Boulevard 29
Underground: 50 and 54 to Bijlmer
Phone: + 31 (0)20 311 1444
Dining in Amsterdam
The Dutch eat soup and sandwiches for lunch, often with a glass of milk. Just like the English, they like their chips, and they have waffle kiosks like the Belgians. A local speciality is “bitterballen” (bitter balls), a kind of fried cheese croquette which is served as a snack with beer at cafes. This might not sound very enlightening from a gastronomic perspective, but Amsterdam is also known for having some of the best Turkish and Indonesian restaurants in Europe.
In addition, common themes in the most popular restaurants are stylish but pleasant decor, simple but well cooked food made from first-class ingredients and a relaxed atmosphere. Amsterdam houses many innovative restaurant trends. The latest developments are ecological fine cuisine, trendy restaurants in historical buildings and multi-function places where the restaurant also functions as a bar and night club.
De Kas
The restaurant is housed in a renovated greenhouse built in the 1920s and serves ecological fine cuisine. The chef decides the three-course menu of the day on the basis of the availability of good raw materials, in consultation with the restaurant’s own market gardener. Perfect for business dinners etc. Book a table a couple of weeks in advance, phone between 10-17.
Address: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3
Underground: 9 to Hoegeweg
Phone: 31 (0)20 462 4562
Internet: www.restaurantdekas.nl
Envy
Domestic charm and minimalism with up-to-the-minute Italian hors d’oeuvres and fine wines. The chef’s menu costs €50, but Envy is a delicatessen bar, so you can just have a glass of wine and some tapas. Half of the tables can be booked, half are drop in only.
Address: Prinsengracht 381
Underground: 1, 2, 5 to Spui
Phone: + 31 (0)20 344 6407
Internet: www.envy.nl
The Mansion
Restaurant, bar and club which is top of the pops on the trend list right now. The restaurant is one flight up and consists of three crowded, beautiful rooms with a relaxed atmosphere. More jeans than suits. The innovatively prepared Chinese hors d’oeuvres taste divine. Book a table a couple of weeks in advance. Phone between 18-19 (after that, there is a telephone answering machine).
Address: Hobbemastraat 2
Underground: 2, 5 to Hobbermastraat
Phone: + 31 (0)20 616 6664
Internet: www.the-mansion.nl
Local
No longer new, but still a very nice place to eat an early dinner. Two long tables and only kebabs on the menu. Large groups can book a table. Other people line up to share a table with strangers/new friends.
Address: Westerstraat 136
Underground: 3, 10 to Marnixstraat
Phone: + 31 (0)20 423 40 39
Internet: www.local-amsterdam.nl
Jean Jean
This tiny, romantic restaurant is just round the corner from Local, among the many restaurants in the Jordan area. French inspired cuisine, focusing on seafood. After last year’s renovation, Jean Jean is more popular than ever, so book in good time for weekend evenings. Closed Mondays.
Address: 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 14
Underground: 3, 10 to Marnixstraat
Phone: + 31 (0)20 627 7153
Internet: www.jean-jean.nl
Odeon
Hotel Arena has taken over the Odeon - an old 17th century brewery which has been completely renovated to form an all-in-one place; brassiere, restaurant, bar and club plus cultural events such as exhibitions and concerts. Daily special menus of three or four courses for about €40. Do not miss the photographic art with a 17th century theme in the cocktail bar. The night club is open on Thursdays to Sundays.
Address: Singel 460
Underground: 1, 2, 54 to Koningsplein
Phone: + 31 (0)20 521 8555
Internet: www.odeonamsterdam.nl
Amsterdam Bars and Nightlife
It is easy to have fun in Amsterdam. Many people feel that “the Brown cafes” - Amsterdam’s typical pubs - have never been better. Bar life is friendly, relaxed, and lasts for a long time. Amsterdamers go out early and go home late. Many places have a cafe, bar, restaurant and night club on different floors.
Nightlife in Amsterdam is a bit like an Indonesian rijsttafel - pick a bit here and a bit there. The dance clubs might feel too small for somebody who is used to flashy clubs in NY, LA or London. But these clubs can be just as entertaining - and completely crazy! Hip, laid-back or sophisticated; just choose.
Werck
The city’s best bar for after-work on a Friday is close to Anne Frank’s house in Jordaan. Good-looking staff and guests who want to enjoy themselves. High chat-up factor.
Address: Prinsengracht 277
Underground: tram no. 13. 14, 17 to Westermarkt
Internet: www.werck.nl
De Herengracht
The restaurant offers food, drinks and art, but it is easier to find company at the bar than in the restaurant or looking at the works of art. Well-dressed, well-off thirty-somethings go here at around nine o’clock to drink wine.
Address: Herengracht 435
Underground: 1, 2, 5 to Konigsplein
Internet: www.deherengracht.nl
Helden
Mme Jeanette, a popular De Pijp bar has changed its name to Helden, but still feels exactly right. Simple, good, low priced food and a good place to start a pub crawl. Cocktails prices at €6. De Pijp, south of the Singelgracht canal, has closely-spaced bars, popular with young people wearing designer jeans and sneakers. Round the corner, you can find places like Kingfisher, 18Twantig and Angel.
Address: 1e Van der Helstraat 42
Underground: 16, 24 tp Stadhouderskade
Internet: www.helden.nu
The Mansion
The trendiest bar in town, and the most difficult to get into. Many local personalities (models, musicians and actors). If you have eaten here, you do not have to queue up and pay €10 for entrance to the night club in the cellar at midnight. Or come as early as eight o’clock for a cocktail in one of the three bars. Fantastic mojitos in the lounge.
Address: Hobbemastraat 2
Underground: 2, 5 to Hobbermastraat
Internet: www.the-mansion.nl
Bar8
One of Amsterdam’s trendiest bars right now, clearly inspired by Paris, London and New York’s night life.
Address: Berenstraat 8
Alto
Legendary jazz bar, not far away from Leidseplein. Here, in a building renowned for its high music quality, there is an informal, pleasant atmosphere.
Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115
Internet: www.jazz-cafe-alto.nl
11
Restaurant, bar and club on the eleventh floor of the former Post Office, east of the Central Station. Take lift no. 14 at the back. Cafe with pavement tables in the daytime, dinner time and early evening, plus a bar which becomes a night club after 24.00 (midnight) at the weekends. Exceptional view. Best in the early evening when it is still light. Or later on in the night, when it is getting light again!
Address: Oosterdoksgade 3-5
Underground: : Most trams go to the Central Station.
Internet: www.ilove11.nl
Jimmy Woo
The most popular night club in town, but difficult to get into after midnight because of the queue. Entrance €12. Good DJs and plenty of action on the dance floor in the cellar. The top floor with lounge has been designed to look like an opium den. Open 23-05 in the evenings. Why not visit their cool web site?
Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18
Underground: 6, 7, 10 to Leideplein
Internet: www.jimmywoo.nl
Club More
In contrast to Amsterdam’s fashionable lounges, this is a place which concentrates 100% on dance. More was founded in 2000 and quickly became one of Amsterdam’s trendiest clubs. The interior decor has won prizes and the music varies widely. Check the latest on their web site!
Address: Rozengracht 133
Internet: www.expectmore.nl
Sinners In Heaven
Check that your clothes are neatly pressed an extra time before you try to get into Sinners, Amsterdam’s number one jet-set club. If you manage to pass the pearly gates, you can rub shoulders with the other sinners - actors, athletes and other well-known personalities in the city’s nightlife. The rooms are small and the decor is minimalist, with mirrors and designer furnishings.
Address: Wagenstraat 3
Internet: www.sinners.nl
Shopping in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the city for small shops. New, amusing and unusual shops open all the time. In addition, most of them are within walking distance, which makes shopping a pleasant experience.
Kalverstraat
The large retail chains, with fashion, shoes and accessories are lined up on the Kalverstraat between Dam square and Muntplein. Most shops also open on Sundays. De Bijenkorf, the elegant department store for designer goods is up on the Dam. The Dutch fashion chain, Mexx, has its flagship shop in the middle of Kalverstraat. On the top floor, there is Europe’s largest range of Mexx Man products. Not far away, you will find Rituals, an amusing shop that sells “home and body cosmetics”. This includes everything from shampoo and tea to detergent and air cleaners in elegant packages. Amusing present packages are on offer like the designer washing-up brush with Lotus Touch washing-up liquid.
Another favourite on Kalverstraat is the American Book Centre, which has a wide selection of music and fashion literature. The Kalvertornet gallery, with more exclusive shops, is down by Muntplein.
Leidsestraat
The shops continue along Leidsestraat, between Kalverstraat and Leidseplein. The colourful flower market is at Koningsplein, beside the Singel canal. Even if you had not intended to buy a bunch of cheap tulips to your beloved, you can stroll round for a while and absorb the atmosphere. There are many well-stocked shoe shops along Leidsestraat. This is also where you will also find one of Amsterdam’s new concept shops, Spoiled. They sell trendy jeans, designer leisure clothes, old records, books and oddments. The same building also houses HIP (Hair innovating people), if you need a new hairdo.
Pc Hoofstraat
The cutest shopping street, with branded stores like Armani, Chanel, Gucci and Mulberry. Do not miss the neatest branch of Shoebaloo, the shoe chain. This is the best shoe shop in town for people who are happy to spend a few hundred Euro on brands like Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior. This is also where you will find Didato, a specialist shop for fashion conscious men.
The Nine Small Streets
The quarter between Koningsplein and Westerkerk (between the Prinsengracht and Herengracht canals) is called “the nine small streets”, and is an excellent area to stroll round in. Both because the canals and the old houses are beautiful, and also because the streets are packed with small shops, cafes and galleries. You can buy anything here from mature cheese to second-hand buttons. The area is especially well known for its second-hand shops. Margriet Nannings on Prinsenstraat has the most exclusive range. At no. 15,
they sell the latest from Comme des Garçons, Stone Island, C.P Company etc, and at no. 24, there is the outlet shop with sale goods. Another charming shop is Local Service, on the crossroads between Keizergracht and Huidenstraat, which has a wide range of Paul Smith shirts.
De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf, in the centre of the shopping district, is Amsterdam’s largest department store. It is the city’s answer to Harrods in London and KDW in Berlin. You can shop whatever you need here - food, high quality clothes, make-up, furniture, toys, home furnishings - right in the centre of Amsterdam by the Dam square. It is not cheap - but you will certainly find what you are looking for. And even more.
Address: Dam 1, Amsterdam, 1012 JS
Underground: stop trams 4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24 & 25
Phone: +31-20-552 17 00
Internet: www.bijenkorf.nl
Magna Plaza
The former post office, which was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1898, would fit perfectly into a fairy-tale. There are more than forty exclusive shops, mostly selling clothes, but some also have music. Take the opportunity of checking the small cheese and delicatessen shop on the ground floor!
Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182
Underground: trams 1, 2, 5, 13, 14, 17 & 20
Phone: +31-20-6269199
Internet: www.magnaplaza.nl
Maison De Bonneterie
An old, luxurious department store with wooden balconies and, not the least, a very exciting lift. This is the place to go for clothes and sporting goods. If you appreciate the English dress code - or its architecture - you will appreciate the Maison de Bonneterie. A tip: take the lift all the way up and drive a few golf balls in the golf shop.
Address: Rokin 140 - 142
Phone: +31-20-5313400
Internet: www.debonneterie.nl
Amsterdam Hotels
Many of the older hotels in the historic parts of central Amsterdam have a few, small rooms, but all the more charm. More spacious designer hotels and boutique hotels are being opened further out from the centre.
College Hotel
New, stylish and well-managed hotel in a quiet street beside the museum quarter. Close to the bars in De Pijp and the shopping streets close to Vondelpark. The hotel is a school for hotel managers, so even the smallest detail is perfect.
Address: Roelof Hartstraat 1
Underground: 5, 24 to Roelof Hartplein,
Click here to check College Hotel Amsterdam Cheapest Hotel Rates
Arena Hotel
Lively, youthful designer hotel outside the centre, at Oosterpark. Also has a popular bar, restaurant and night club. The building is a former orphanage built in 1890.
Address: s-Gravesandestraat 51
Underground: 7 or 10 to Oosterpark, metro from the Central
Station to Wibautstraat
Click here to check Arena Hotel Amsterdam Cheapest Hotel Rates
Luxury Amsterdam Hotels
InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam
This grand palatial hotel dates from 1867 and features an air-conditioned lobby with high ceilings, balustrades, and chandeliers, and offers canal views from its terrace. The 79 guestrooms, over four floors, all have satellite television with pay movies, CD and DVD players, minibars, desks, wireless Internet access, safes, and air conditioning. Bathrooms offer bathrobes and bathtubs. Decor is traditional with patterned fabrics and light colours.
Address: Professor Tulpplein 1, Amsterdam 1018 GX
Click here to check InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam Cheapest Hotel Rates
Good Value Amsterdam Hotels
Lloyd Hotel
Newly opened designer hotel in a former prison in modernised Docklands east of the centre. Innovative design, where the rooms have different standards. There are 1-5 star rooms in price classes from €100-€300. The cheaper ones have a shower and toilet in the corridors, one of the most expensive (no. 221) has seven metres to the ceiling, beds for eight people on a mezzanine floor and a grand piano! Breakfast €12. The hotel also has a popular restaurant.
Address: Oostelijke Handelsgade 34
Underground: 10 to Rietlanpark (ten min from Leidseplein), 26 from the Central Station
Click here to check Llyod Hotel Cheapest Hotel Rates
Cheap Amsterdam Hotels
Hotel Rembrandt
17 simple but freshly decorated rooms in a charming residential district close to Zoo, a bit east from the centre.
Address: Plantage Middenlaan 17
Underground: 9 to Artis-Plantage Kerklaan