Any experienced Amsterdam travellers out there - what area to stay in

amdublin

Hi,


I have some bonus points with ebookers so am getting some decent offers on accommodation with them.


But all the areas are confusing me. What is the best area to stay in - we will be there for 2.5 days and priorities are Anne Frank house, museums, Van Gogh, Tulips, Windmills.
Oh and don't want to spend too much on trip from airport to hotel - is there a bus service??


I am looking at this for about 20 euro a night (with my points):
Museum quarter
http://www.conscioushotels.com/hotel/vondelpark/



Or this
Amsterdam South 8 euro a night
http://www.westsideinn.nl/en/

Or should I be looking at Canal Belt? Or Old Center?

amdublin

Actually loads of good prices on ebookers with my points so once I know what area I should be looking at should be grand.


Any suggestions of best area for me?

Dr.Internet

It depends what you want, to be the middle of the party or outside it. Of the 2 hotels you have picked there I would go with the conscious one as it is closer to the city centre an anne frank house etc. You'll still be about a 20 minute tram ride from the attractions you want to see, but around vondelpark is a nice area.


Trains run from down stairs in the airport. If you do decide to go to the Conscious hotel you need to get off at Amsterdam Lelylaan, not amsterdam central. It'll save about an hour of unnecessary travel for you!! Be prepared for queues at Anne Franks house, they start early in the morning! If you could pre book on line, you should.

It's the wrong time of the year for tulips!

http://www.ns.nl/reisplanner-v2/index.shtml

Website for trains

Yamanoto

The Jordaan is just about the best spot to base yourself imo.

It's a hugely picturesque part of the city, full of charm and really reduces the need for hopping on and off trams, as so much of what makes the city great will be on your doorstep.

The area begins almost immediately to the west of Dam Square and delivers a quintessentially Amsterdam experience - quirky boutiques, second hand book stores, buzzing neighborhood cafes & some really fine restaurants. You'll be in the Jordaan when visiting the Anne Frank house (purchase tickets online in advance & skip the queues).

Of the hotels you posted, I'd also recommend you go with the Concious & as above, you're best taking the train from Schipol to Amsterdam Lelylaan station, then hopping on Tram 1 towards Centraal Station, alighting right outside your hotel at the Overtoomsesluis stop. You can pick up a 48hr travel card from a conductor on board the tram.

dudara

You can also get a bus from outside the arrivals terminal which will drop you into Museumplein and Leidseplein. I used it regularly when living in Amsterdam. Can't remember the number, but you can use 9292.nl to check travel options. You can buy a travel card and pre-load it at any of the yellow ticket machines in the airport.

To get the best experience, I'd reccomend the Canal Belt (incl Jordaan), Vondelpark and Musuem area.

booooring!

Anywhere within a km or two of central station which is the heart of the city.