Best Amsterdam Hotels

The Hilton may cater to business travelers, but it’s one of our picks because it is within walking distance of several museums and the Vondelpark. It’s located about 15-20 minutes from the city center, but a tram stops a 5-minute walk away from the building. This is also the place where John Lennon held his bed-in for peace with Yoko Ono back in 1969. That suite (then it was room 902; now it’s room 702) is still available for guests as the Honeymoon Suite, but requires a special reservation through the hotel. Peak-season prices for a deluxe standard room run from €199-600 ($256-773) per night. Internet access at the Hilton is a totally insane €27 ($35) per day, so be prepared to be disconnected for a couple of days. There’s also a restaurant, a bar and a club lounge. We especially like the Half Moon Lounge for its attractive nautical design by Ralph Lauren.

When strolling through the streets of Amsterdam, don’t be surprised to find yourself face to face with a scantily dressed prostitute in the Red Light District, or wandering past a coffee shop filling the streets with the smell of cannabis (yes, Amsterdam travel can be a very liberal experience). So liberal in fact, that for years, it attracted tourists who planned an Amsterdam vacation with the sole purpose of practicing some Dutch Debauchery. In recent years, the Dutch Government and Amsterdam City Council have tried to tone down the depravity. But an Amsterdam vacation has far more on offer than just hookers and pot—it is the birthplace of some of the most successful artists in the world, and home to some of the best museums. The Dutch speak Dutch of course, but you’ll find that English is also extremely common in Amsterdam. Most signs, menus and timetables are in Dutch and English, and almost everyone in the city speaks fluent English. Still, it never hurts to learn a couple of words of Dutch when you're traveling to Amsterdam.

Despite the name, the Eden Amsterdam American is open to all guests, not just Americans. The name goes back to the early-1900s, when the hotel was a meeting place for American writers who came to Amsterdam for inspiration. The hotel is located on the Leidseplein, putting it right in the heart of the entertainment district and steps away from the most popular live music venues in the city. Rooms are very reasonably priced, with a standard king or queen room going for €115 ($148) in the peak season. The decor may not be fancy, but the price of a room buys you the basic comforts—air conditioning, tea and coffee maker, mini-bar, flat-panel TV and high-speed Internet for 32 cents/minute. We think its location, excellent amenities and low price make it one of the best bargains in the city. If you want a unique splurge in Amsterdam, consider a night in the €380 ($489) Govert de Roos suite. Govert is the photographer behind the famous “bed-in for peace” photo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono made at the Amsterdam Hilton. During your stay in the suite, you even get to borrow one of his professional cameras.

The Renaissance is within walking distance of Central Station, making it one of the most conveniently located hotels in the city center. Rates at the hotel start around €189 ($243) during peak season for a standard room. All rooms were recently renovated, and come with air conditioning, mini-bar, turndown service and 24-hour access to a fitness center. Internet access is a hefty €20 ($26)/day. The hotel is home to three dining venues—a street side traditional Amsterdam brown café, a Mediterranean restaurant and a casual lounge offering finger food and cocktails.

The Radisson Blu is one of the best picks for a mid-range luxury property in the city. Its location is ideal, and peak-season rooms are around €179 ($230)/night. Like the Pulitzer, the Radisson is built inside the shell of several old buildings, including a vicarage and a paper mill. Wi-Fi is free on all rates, and some rates include a free breakfast in De Palmboom Restaurant, built inside what used to be a Bible store. When you check in, you can pick from one of four styles of room—Art Deco, Scandinavian, Maritime or Naturally Cool. All rooms have an in-room safe and a mini-bar.

If you’re only in town for a day or two, consider reserving a room at the Airport Sheraton. This property is just 5 minutes from the arrivals hall, and 3 minutes from the train station (from there it's only a 15-minute trip to downtown Amsterdam). If the front desk isn’t too busy, you can be from the airplane door to your hotel room in just 15 minutes (our record is 8). The Sheraton is your typical business class brand name property. The views aren't spectacular (we recommend asking for a room with an airport view, otherwise you could end up overlooking a parking garage), but you book a room here for the relatively reasonable rates and the convenience, not the views. Rooms are around €179 ($240) during the peak season and include air conditioning and complimentary access to a fitness center (though you will pay €19/$24 per day for Wi-Fi). If you’d rather stay away from the hotel mini-bar, walk down to the railway station and visit the Schiphol Plaza shopping center, where you’ll find a grocery store that is open till midnight.