Reply to: Amsterdam Accommodation

[Mich the Tester]

I was working at RAI and the company arranged the hotel for me, and paid on top of daily expenses, which was right in Amsterdam center (IIRC it was named after a painter.) The first week I was on the top floor, 4 flights, no lift, the tele was about a foot from my nose, no plug in the sink, you couldn't stand upright in the shower and there wasn't exactly that much hot water. After a week I complained and got moved to the second floor. Better but not much. One night after a long day grafting these Americans turned up with one of the females in hysterics having just witnessed a live sex show. They continued being loud for the rest of the week. The next room was nice and large but...there seems to be a window missing and it overlooked a canal and in the middle of February it was rather non-tepid. That possibly why there was a fan heater in the cupboard. I took it on myself to move and stayed at the Marriott paying for it myself.

Whenever working in Amsterdam I either stay at the Marriott or Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn in Leiden is a bit strange and a bit out of the way. There's a couple of good hotels out in Noordwijk that I've stayed in but rather pricey (one will transport you in a Bentley) but I only stay at those when on expenses.

You mean they wouldn’t pay for the Krasnapolsky or the Amstel? Tight barstewards. Okura’s a nice place; good Japanese restaurant too.

[darmstadt]

I was working at RAI and the company arranged the hotel for me, and paid on top of daily expenses, which was right in Amsterdam center (IIRC it was named after a painter.) The first week I was on the top floor, 4 flights, no lift, the tele was about a foot from my nose, no plug in the sink, you couldn't stand upright in the shower and there wasn't exactly that much hot water. After a week I complained and got moved to the second floor. Better but not much. One night after a long day grafting these Americans turned up with one of the females in hysterics having just witnessed a live sex show. They continued being loud for the rest of the week. The next room was nice and large but...there seems to be a window missing and it overlooked a canal and in the middle of February it was rather non-tepid. That possibly why there was a fan heater in the cupboard. I took it on myself to move and stayed at the Marriott paying for it myself.

Whenever working in Amsterdam I either stay at the Marriott or Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn in Leiden is a bit strange and a bit out of the way. There's a couple of good hotels out in Noordwijk that I've stayed in but rather pricey (one will transport you in a Bentley) but I only stay at those when on expenses.

[Mich the Tester]

This hotel was often frequented by colleagues I contracted with at ABN Amro. I like the bar and restaurant, but have never stayed there myself (I live 10 mins away). It is a good area (Amstelveen by the Forest - Amsterdamse Bos) with easy connections to Amsterdam via public transport. Don't know about the wifi though

http://www.abina.nl/wb/

I've stayed there; bar is quite a fun place, restaurant's OK, but unfortunately the bar is full and noisy until 1 in the morning EVERY night, so it's not great if you want some sleep.

[cab]

This hotel was often frequented by colleagues I contracted with at ABN Amro. I like the bar and restaurant, but have never stayed there myself (I live 10 mins away). It is a good area (Amstelveen by the Forest - Amsterdamse Bos) with easy connections to Amsterdam via public transport. Don't know about the wifi though

http://www.abina.nl/wb/

When I first arrived in NL I rented at ridiculously high private rates, with greedy landlords who ignored government legislation and kept upping the rent. Also, contracts are long with very limited break clauses and high deposits. Not really (in my opinion) worth the hassle for 3 months.

[Mich the Tester]

i did look at the Haarlem area and it would probably suit me. a small train ride out would be a nice way to break up the day.
Can anyone recommend anywhere there, id prefer a b&b or hotel than renting really.
Ive got a place in amsterdam called hotel azure for next week. but its a bit too close to the centre for me.
Id love a guided tour one night, that would be excellent, i just cant PM at the monet as im a new member to the forums.

All the best

Daren.

http://www.hotels.nl/haarlem/

Hotels Carillon, Joops, Raeckse and Malts are all reasonably priced; don't expect luxury but they're friendly enough and close to or in the city centre, and around 60 to 70 euros per night with breakfast. Amrath Frans Hals is a smarter place, expect to pay 150 euros or so.

You don't really need a hotel with a restaurant as there are loads of good places to eat in town. You can eat very well and have a drink for about 20 to 30 euros, and if you want the whole 3 course meal with a few glasses of wine, you'll pay about 50 euros maximum.

Good and quite affordable restaurants are Metzo, Specktakel and 'Koetjes en Kalfjes'. Look them up on google, I don't know the adresses by heart.

Once you've got a hotel, try and negotiate a discount for the longer term or ask around in pubs for rooms to rent.

[oracleslave]

Id love a guided tour one night, that would be excellent

Now's your moment HAB

[MPwannadecentincome]

I used to work in Leiden, very pleasant town, very good train service to Amsterdam in the East and Den Haag (The Hague) in the West. Stayed in a small Hotel near the station, though it was about 15 years ago so can't remember what the rate was and of course is before wifi.

[mcBontempi]

Haarlem

i did look at the Haarlem area and it would probably suit me. a small train ride out would be a nice way to break up the day.
Can anyone recommend anywhere there, id prefer a b&b or hotel than renting really.
Ive got a place in amsterdam called hotel azure for next week. but its a bit too close to the centre for me.
Id love a guided tour one night, that would be excellent, i just cant PM at the monet as im a new member to the forums.

All the best

Daren.

[Mich the Tester]

I was implying that you have a chip on your shoulder with regards to Amsterdammers wrt their accents, accomodation etc.

Oh that. Yes, I'm a country bumpkin alright.

[oracleslave]

If there were only chips to eat in Haarlem I wouldn't be here; I don't like deep fried food, including chips.

Anyway Mr McBontempi, if you do come to Haarlem then send me a PM and I'll show you around for an evening.

I was implying that you have a chip on your shoulder with regards to Amsterdammers wrt their accents, accomodation etc.

[Moscow Mule]

I did a weekly commute job in Amsterdam. I can heartily recommend the Banks Mansion Hotel. I think it's on Heerengracht but I can't remember exactly (the place or how to spell it).

That said, it doesn't meet any of your criteria except wifi & quiet.

[Mich the Tester]

If there were only chips to eat in Haarlem I wouldn't be here; I don't like deep fried food, including chips.

Anyway Mr McBontempi, if you do come to Haarlem then send me a PM and I'll show you around for an evening.

[Durbs]

Ive got a contract in amsterdam initially lasting for 3 months.
I need a place to stay, thats out of town, im ok doing a small train journey in or a long walk.
I require WIFI in the accommodation, and it needs to be quiet.
Does anyone know of anywhere reasonably priced that will meet my requirements.

I used to work a fair bit in the Netherlands and meetings were always in different bits of the country so the one thing i can say is the trains are excellent and its really easy to get around so dont be worried about widening your search radius.

I'd +1 for Haarlem though if working in the Dam. Amsterdam itself is very very expensive AFAIK.

[oracleslave]

Try www.hotels.nl

Go and stay in Haarlem instead; 15 minutes on the train from Amsterdam, half the price and it's a damn nice place with lots of good, reasonably priced restaurants. They don't have the planet-sized egos that Amsterdammers all seem to have either.

Some fish with those chips?

[Mich the Tester]

Try www.hotels.nl

Go and stay in Haarlem instead; 15 minutes on the train from Amsterdam, half the price and it's a damn nice place with lots of good, reasonably priced restaurants. They don't have the planet-sized egos that Amsterdammers all seem to have either.