Amsterdam hotels expensive - worth it to stay outside city?

Geuze

Family of four planning to go to NL in July, arriving Tue 09-July.

Want to visit Amsterdam, but open to stay in city / outside city / in nearby city, as long as travelling isn't too bad.

Prices in Amsterdam seem high, e.g.

Ibis (two rooms) = 440 per night!!!!

Mercure = 400 per night

Given these prices, might anybody suggest an alterntive location?

Although I see prices in Utrecht are nearly as high................

It'd be worth checking out Alkmaar, a great little city in its own right. It's a few years since I was there but from memory the train into Amsterdam was about 30 mins.

LimeFruitGum

That's what I did a few years ago as well. I stayed in a small town called Weesp, about 20m from Amsterdam Centraal by train. Weesp itself is small & residential, but there are trains every 10-20m to Centraal.

munchkin_utd

there seems to be a run of concerts for those dates and Taylor Swift was there days before

ZZ Top – 8 Jul, AFAS Live

Patti Smith – 9/10 Jul, Paradiso

P!NK – 10/11 Jul, Johan Cruijff ArenA

Kimbot

Harleem is a nice place, only about 15-20 mins on the train to amsterdam central.

recyclops

When travelling over for the dutch grand prix in August the accom costs were insane so we stayed in a little town called Almere, it was 20-25 mins to amsterdam for the train and we were able to get from Schipol to Almere direct as well.

its like staying in a shopping centre and there was plenty on down around the seafront nice parks walking etc.

The Davestator

The cost of hotels in Amsterdam is always shocking, and if you find a reasonable one, chances are its terrible with a stairs you need climbing equipment for!

Spanish Eyes

I second Haarlem. If you've the time go to Leiden also it's twenty minutes by train from Haarlem. Both great spots in their own right. A day in Ams is enough IMV, or one overnight if you're into the nightlife.

Living Off The Splash

Haarlem. Another vote. Bus and train station. Easy access to other parts of the Netherlands. Bus from airport number 300.

Thelonious Monk

I stayed in Van Der Valk hotel in Amsterdam a couple of years ago, it's just outside the city centre and has an amazing spa area that is free. It was reasonably priced and beside a metro station.

raclle

Thinking of going solo in the next few months but the prices are ridiculous. You're looking at between €700-800 for two nights and nearly a grand for three in decent accommodation in and around dam square.

Found this place outside the city centre:

https://westcordhotels.com/hotel/fashion-hotel-amsterdam/

VG31

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121955858#Comment_121955858

Hotels in Amsterdam are cheapest in January. I stayed in the Mercure Amsterdam North Station (5 minutes from the centre by metro) for €115 per night with breakfast in January. Accor had a 25% off winter sale. That was a Friday and Saturday night stay, it was cheaper again Sunday to Thursday.

Thelonious Monk

I stayed at the Van Der Valk Amstel Hotel which was a bit out of the city centre but only a few stops on the Metro. It had a really great spa that was free to use too.

raclle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121956110#Comment_121956110

Hotel looks great. Who did you book that with?

Thelonious Monk

My mate booked it, so I don't know

Going over next weekend. Haven't been in over 7 years. Was very suprised at the costs of the hotels, even hostels I stayed in before are a lot more expensive.

Kurooi

Rotterdam is just a quick train ride to Amsterdam and is in my opinion, a better place to stay. All the lovely food and drinks with a lot less party tourism. I wouldn't stay in Amsterdam with a family, see it for sure but not stay.