Where to Stay in Amsterdam: Best Hotels & Neighborhoods

Then no doubt you have numerous questions running through your head. How much does it cost to stay in Amsterdam? Where is the best place to stay? How far in advance should I make my reservation?

We answer all of these questions and more in this post.

To make your decision easier, we took the long list of where to stay in Amsterdam and narrowed it down to a much shorter list of the best properties. This list is organized by neighborhood and then further narrowed down by budget.

Overview of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a small, compact city. Most of the things you will do are located in and around the city center. In Amsterdam, you can walk to almost everything. There is a great transportation network of trams, buses, and the metro, but for the most part, you can expect to get around primarily on foot.

The city center of Amsterdam is called Centrum. Fanning out from the city center are the horseshoe-shaped canals, an area called Grachtengordel. Just beyond the canal ring are smaller neighborhoods such as Jordaan, Plantage, Oud West, Oud Zuid, and de Pijp.

Below is a map of Amsterdam. The different colors represent the different neighborhoods. The black markers are the popular landmarks.

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

The hotels we list in this article are very highly rated. All but a few get 8.5 stars or higher on Booking.com, and most of them get at least 9 stars. On this list you will find hotels, apartments, hostels, and houseboats.

Even though this is a narrowed down list of all the hotel options in Amsterdam, it is still a long list. At the end of the article, I narrow it down even more, giving you our top recommendations based on traveling style (skip ahead to this list now).

I list hotels as luxury, upscale, mid-range, and budget. A luxury hotel is a 5-star hotel, an upscale hotel is a 4-star property, a mid-range hotel is a 3-star property, and a budget hotel is a 1 or 2-star property or a hostel.

How Much Does It Cost to Stay in Amsterdam?

If you are a budget traveler, you can spend as little as €30 per night in a hostel. If you are traveling as a group of two or more, a double room in a 2-star hotel will cost between €50 and €150. For the mid-range traveler, on average you will pay between €150 and €300 per night for a double room. 4-star rooms usually range from €300 to €450 per night, and the 5-star hotels usually start around €450 and go up from here.

These are the prices for a standard room at this level. 3-star hotels can offer deluxe rooms or rooms with a view for two or three times the price of one of their standard double rooms. The same goes for all classes of hotel.

These average costs can go up based on the time of year and during times of high demand for hotel rooms. Prices may also be cheaper during the off-season. In Amsterdam, the highest demand for hotel rooms is from April through October.

How Far in Advance Should You Make Your Hotel Reservation?

If you plan to visit Amsterdam during the peak season, which is most of the year (April through October), I recommend making your reservations at least three months in advance. Hotels in the city center and along the canals can fill up quickly, especially the smaller boutique-style hotels and the budget and mid-range hotels that get good reviews.

You should be able to find something in town, if you are planning your visit at the last moment. But it could end up being more money than you were planning to spend or a hotel with mediocre reviews.

Best Hotels in the City Center (Centrum)

In the city center you will find some of Amsterdam’s most historic sites. To the north is Centraal Station, Amsterdam’s main train station. Damrak runs through the center of this district, and on either side are shopping streets, museums, and historic sites.

Dam Square

Top Experiences in the City Center: Dam Square; De Oude Kirk; Centraal Station; Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

Pros: Superb central location so it will be easy to walk almost anywhere in Amsterdam; large number of hotels to choose from

Cons: Lacks the charm you will find in other areas of Amsterdam; can be loud at night

LUXURY: Hotel TwentySeven. This property is a member of the chain Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It is located on Dam Square next to the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, another very popular 5-star hotel. However, with its exceptional reviews and gorgeous suites, I think Hotel TwentySeven is a better pick. Some rooms offer terraces with unbeatable views over Amsterdam. If you have the money to spend, this property looks amazing (this hotel is the most expensive on the list).

UPSCALE: Hotel The Craftsmen. This boutique hotel is located in Centrum right on Singel canal. So not only do you have a great, central location, the canals are right outside your door. By the way, the rooms look incredible. Rooms are spacious, offer views over the canals, and each room has a slightly different theme (the Cartographer, the Airplane Maker, the Clockmaker).

MID-RANGE: Singel Hotel Amsterdam. This hotel is also on the Singel Canal, only with a smaller price tag than Hotel the Craftsman. Centraal Station, Dam Square, Jordaan, and the Anne Frank House are all within walking distance. Rooms can accommodate up to three people and some have canal views.

MID-RANGE: Hotel Sint Nicolaas. This hotel is located in Centrum, near Singel Canal and Centraal Station. This uniquely shaped building has beautifully decorated rooms. Some rooms can accommodate up to four people so this makes a good choice for some families.

BUDGET: Budget Hotel Tourist Inn. This hotel gets decent reviews. It has an excellent location, very close to the canal ring but also within easy walking distance of Dam Square and Centraal Station. Take your pick from a wide variety of private and dormitory-style rooms that can accommodate between 1 and 6 people.

Best Hotels on the Canal Ring (Grachtengordel)

When you think of Amsterdam, what is the first thing to come to mind? For many people, the answer would be the canals and the picturesque canal houses that line the cobblestoned streets.

The canal rings form horseshoes around the city center. This is one of the most scenic parts of Amsterdam and if it is your first visit (or even your third or fourth), one of the best things to do in Amsterdam is to stroll along these canals.

On the canal ring, one of the most scenic places to stay is in an area called The 9 Streets, or De 9 Straatjes. This area is located along the western part of the canal ring. It spans the canals of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht and it is a fabulous place to go vintage shopping, grab a bite to eat, or sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine.

Top Experiences on the Canal Ring: Stroll along the canals; take a boat tour of the canals; visit the Anne Frank House; the Nine Little Streets; go shopping at the Bloemenmarkt

Pros: Good central location, especially if you stay on the south side of the canal ring

Cons: Can be expensive; hotels sell out faster here since there is a high demand to stay along the canals

LUXURY: Pulitzer Amsterdam. Staying in the Pulitzer is the quintessential Dutch experience. 25 canal houses have been connected to form this elegant, historic hotel. The service is impeccable, the rooms are elegant, and the location is hard to beat, right on Prinsengracht in one of Amsterdam’s prettiest neighborhoods.

LUXURY: The Dylan. Modern, trendy, luxurious, this hotel is located on Keizersgracht, within walking distance of the Anne Frank House. This hotel is also home to Vinkeles, a Michelin-starred restaurant that we recommend for dinner in our Amsterdam itinerary.

UPSCALE: Leidse Square 5 Star Luxury Apartment. This beautiful apartment ticks all of the boxes. It’s centrally located in Amsterdam, gets impeccable reviews, offers lots of space and a full kitchen, and it has two bedrooms, perfect for families.

UPSCALE: Ambassade Hotel. At the time of the most recent update of this guide, the Ambassade Hotel is the #2 hotel in Amsterdam on Trip Advisor. Rooms are elegantly decorated and most offer views of the canal. Check out the Library Bar, where 5000 books have been signed by the authors during their stay here. There is also a French brasserie on site.

MID-RANGE: ‘t Hotel. This is where we stayed on our first visit to Amsterdam. The ‘t Hotel has a perfect location, right on a quiet canal and within walking distance of the main sites in Amsterdam.

‘t Hotel | Where to Stay in Amsterdam

MID-RANGE: Hotel Sebastians. This hotel is located on Keizersgracht, just a short walk from the Anne Frank House. This boutique hotel offers rooms that can accommodate up to six people and some rooms offer canal views. Hotel Sebastians also has a bike rental service.

Best Hotels in Jordaan

Jordaan sits just to the west of the canal ring. This is quintessential Amsterdam, with its canals, boutique shops, and cafes. Jordaan is the best place to stay in Amsterdam if you want to be located in a charming, romantic neighborhood.

Jordaan starts at Brouwersgracht in the north and ends at Leidsegracht in the south. It is bordered by Lijnbaansgracht to the west and Prinsengracht to the east.

Top Experiences in Jordaan: The best thing to do in Jordaan is to stroll along the canals and go boutique shopping

Pros: One of the most beautiful areas of Amsterdam

Cons: Expensive; you will have a longer walk to get to Amsterdam’s top sights; difficult to get to using public transportation (hiring a taxi is the easiest way to get here, especially if you are carrying luggage)

UPSCALE: 2 Houseboat Suites Amsterdam Prinsengracht. I think that this is one of the best places to stay in Amsterdam, if you want a unique experience. This new property offers two suites in a houseboat on Prinsengracht canal. From your room, you look right out onto the canal. Both rooms have private bathrooms and are larger than what you might expect.

UPSCALE: The Blossom House Amsterdam. This boutique hotel is located right in the heart of Jordaan. Rooms are spacious and decorated with modern furnishings. Children are not allowed at this hotel.

MID-RANGE: Linden Hotel. This hotel and its hospitality get rave reviews. It is located near the northern end of Jordaan, away from the busier touristy areas. Rooms can accommodate up to four people.

MID-RANGE: Bed of Roses. This property is a two-bedroom loft, making it a great choice for families. It also comes with a full kitchen. From here it is short walk to the Anne Frank House the Nine Little Streets.

MID-RANGE: Krisotel. This hotel is located on the southern end of Jordaan, near Oud West and just a short walk from the Museum Quarter. From here, you can easily stroll the canals but also walk to the amazing restaurants that are in Oud West. Rooms are tastefully decorated and some rooms can accommodate four or more people, making this a nice choice for families.

BUDGET: Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel. This hotel has an excellent location in Jordaan right on Prinsengracht canal. There are a wide range of room types, from single rooms to family suites. Some rooms offer a canal view.

Best Hotels in Oud West (West Amsterdam)

Oud West sits just to the west of Jordaan and the canal ring and to the north of Vondelpark. This trendy area is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in Amsterdam.

Top Experiences in Oud West: Go shopping at De Hallen; grab a bite to eat at Foodhallen; visit Vondelpark

Pros: Can be cheaper than the city center; close location near some of Amsterdam’s best restaurants

Cons: Farther from the city center

UPSCALE: Maison ELLE. Just steps away from Vondelpark is this lovely boutique hotel. All rooms have queen-sized beds and some have a balcony or terrace.

MID-RANGE: Boutique B&B Nassau. This B&B is located west of Jordaan and from here, it is a short walk to the Anne Frank House and the Nine Little Streets. This property offers a two-bedroom penthouse apartment with a kitchenette. It makes a great choice for families who want space to spread out and a quick and easy walk the to the canals in Amsterdam.

MID-RANGE: The ED Amsterdam. This hotel has rooms that can accommodate 1, 2 or 3 people. It is located very close to Leidesplein and the Museum Quarter. Children are not allowed.

BUDGET: Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark. This is one of the highest reviewed hostels in Amsterdam. It is conveniently located next to Vondelpark and a short walk from the Museum Quarter. From here, it’s easy to hop on the tram and zip to the city center and canals. Rooms range from private double rooms to 8-person dormitory style rooms.

Best Hotels in Oud Zuid

Oud Zuid encompasses an area in south Amsterdam that includes Vondelpark and the Museum Quarter. This is one of Amsterdam’s swankiest areas to call home but for travelers, this is one of the cheaper places to stay near the city center.

If you are traveling on a budget, this is one of the top areas to stay in Amsterdam without spending a small fortune. Plus, you will be conveniently located near the Rijksmusuem and the Van Gogh Museum.

Top Experiences in Oud Zuid: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark, watch a concert at the Royal Concertgebouw

Pros: Can be cheaper than other areas in Amsterdam; some of the best museums in Amsterdam are right on your doorstep

Cons: It’s a bit of a walk to Jordaan or the Nine Little Streets but the tram can save you some steps

LUXURY: Conservatorium Hotel. This modern, elegant hotel looks absolutely gorgeous. Rooms are large and bright, with enormous windows, modern furnishings, and exquisite bathrooms. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are right on your doorstep if you stay here. You may not get the same experience as staying on canal, but if you like the idea of staying in a gorgeous hotel, this is one to consider.

MID-RANGE: Hotel Aalders. Just one block away from the Van Gogh Museum, this 3-star hotel gets awesome reviews. With double rooms and quadruple rooms, this hotel makes a great pick for travelers and families who want to be located near the top museums without paying a huge price.

MID-RANGE: Hotel Fita. This hotel is located very close to Hotel Aalders and the Van Gogh Museum. It also gets rave reviews from prior guests. However, rooms can only accommodate two people so Hotel Aalders is a better pick for families.

Best Hotels in De Pijp

De Pijp, also known as the Latin Quarter, is located east of the Museum Quarter and south of the canal ring. This once working class area is now home to some of the hippest shops and restaurants in Amsterdam. It’s also one of the top spots in the city for nightlife.

If you are looking for a neighborhood that is non-touristy but full of charm, take a look at these hotels in De Pijp.

Top Experiences in De Pijp: Albert Cuyp Market; go boutique shopping on Gerard Doustraat; Sarphatipark

Pros: Perfect for those who want to stay in a neighborhood off the main tourist trail

Cons: Longer walk or the need to use public transportation to get to some of Amsterdam’s top sights

LUXURY: Hotel Okura Amsterdam. There are several great reasons to choose Hotel Okura. This high-rise hotel offers unparalled views of the city skyline. From Twenty-Third Bar, named for its location on the 23rd floor of the hotel, enjoy one of the best views of Amsterdam. There are four onsite restaurants, two of which are Michelin-starred. It also has the onsite Nagomi Spa & Health with a gym and indoor swimming pool. This hotel is located on the southern end of De Pijp, so its location is a bit far from the main landmarks in Amsterdam, but with all of the amenities that this hotel offers, I doubt you will mind.

MID-RANGE: Het Kabinet. This relatively new property gets almost perfect reviews. Rooms are modernly decorated and can accommodate two people. Children are not allowed.

MID-RANGE: Houseboat Amsterdam – Room with a View. Stay in a houseboat on Amstel Canal. Rooms come with a queen bed and private bathroom. Children are not allowed.

BUDGET: Cocomama. Rooms range from private double rooms to 6-person dormitory style rooms. Prior guests love the quiet location and helpful hotel staff.

Best Hotels in Plantage

Plantage is the area east of the canal ring. This is a great place to stay in Amsterdam if you are traveling on a budget or visiting with kids. This is a quiet spot in Amsterdam, bordered by several canals, and home to a zoo, a botanical garden, and several museums.

Top Experiences in Plantage: Artis Royal Zoo; Hortus Botanical Gardens; Dutch Resistance Museum; Jewish Historical Museum; Rembrandt House Museum

Pros: Quiet, less touristy area of Amsterdam; great for families; great for those traveling on a budget

Cons: Longer walk to get anywhere else in Amsterdam

UPSCALE: Monet Garden Hotel Amsterdam. This boutique hotel offers some rooms with floor to ceiling windows with canal views. They have thousands of rave reviews from prior guests, and what people like most is the hotel location, the views from the rooms, and the hospitality of the staff. At the time of the most recent update of this guide, Monet Garden was the #1 hotel on TripAdvisor.

MID-RANGE: SWEETS – Hortusbrug. This innovative property is set in a bridge house. A bridge house is an accommodation that housed bridge keepers from 1673 to 2017. This house has been renovated and turned into an apartment. It is one of 28 similar accommodations located throughout Amsterdam. This apartment can accommodate 2 people and children are not allowed.

MID-RANGE: The Lancaster Hotel Amsterdam. This hotel gets decent reviews but it has a great location next to the Artus Zoo. Some rooms can accommodate up to six people making this a nice choice for families.

Best Place to Stay in Amsterdam

If it is your first time in Amsterdam, the best place to stay is along the canal ring. Not only do you get to start and end your day with views of the canals but you are also within walking distance of Amsterdam’s top landmarks. Click here to return to the list of hotels on the canal ring.

Best Hotels in Amsterdam for Budget Travelers

It is possible to stay in the city center if you are traveling on a budget.

The Budget Hotel Tourist Inn has a great location in Centrum near Centraal Station. If you want to stay on a canal, take a look at the Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel. Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark is one of the highest rated hostels in Amsterdam and it is conveniently located next to the Museum Quarter. Cocomama is an economical place to stay in De Pijp.

Best Hotels in Amsterdam for Mid-Range Travelers

Our top picks are Singel Hotel Amsterdam (for canal views from your room and a good central location), the ‘t Hotel (located on a quiet canal and easy to walk to Amsterdam’s top sights), the Krisotel (if you want to stay in Jordaan), Hotel Aalders (to be near the Museum Quarter), and SWEETS – Hortusbrug (to stay in a unique property).

Outside of the city center, in Amsterdam – Zuid, you can find very good mid-range hotels at cheaper prices. On our most recent visit to Amsterdam, we stayed at Crowne Plaza South. It’s a great hotel and we highly recommend it. It took us 15 minutes by metro to get into town but we saved a lot of money by staying outside of the heart of Amsterdam. This area is also a good choice if you are planning your trip at the last moment and struggling to find hotel availability.

Best Hotels in Amsterdam for Luxury Travelers

If you are a luxury traveler, good luck narrowing down the long list of amazing hotels.

Hotel TwentySeven, with its large, ornately furnished suites and views of the city, is on the top of our list. Nearby, Hotel the Craftsmen is cheaper but also offers uniquely decorated rooms with canal views.

Stay in the Pulitzer Amsterdam for the quintessential Dutch experience. The Conservatorium is a great choice if you want to stay near the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.

Finally, Hotel Okura, with its Twenty-Third Bar, spa, and Michelin-starred restaurants, is another great option out of the 5-star hotels.

Unique Hotels in Amsterdam

If you like the idea of staying in a houseboat, take a look at Houseboat Amsterdam – Room with a View or 2 Houseboat Suites Amsterdam Prinsengracht.

In Plantage, you can stay in a bridge house at SWEETS – Hortusbrug.

Best Boutique Hotels in Amsterdam

Hotel the Craftsmen, with its themed rooms and lovely canal views is a top pick in Amsterdam. Nearby, The Dylan, with its Michelin-starred restaurant, gets impeccable reviews from prior guests.

Hotel Sint Nicolaas in Centrum and Hotel Sebastians are very nice boutique hotels that do not have an enormous price tags.

Or, stay in the Ambassade Hotel and check out the Library Bar and French brasserie.

Monet Garden Hotel Amsterdam in Plantage is a favorite of travelers, chosen for its great location, hospitality, and canal views.

Best Hotels in Amsterdam for Families

For families, we recommend the Leidse 5 Star Luxury Apartment on the canal ring, the Bed of Roses (a two-bedroom loft in Jordaan), Boutique B&B Nassau in Oud West, the Lancaster Hotel in Plantage, and the Budget Hotel Tourist Inn in Centrum if you are traveling on a budget.

If you have any questions about where to stay in Amsterdam, let us know in the comment section below. Or if you have a favorite hotel or apartment that you recommend, we would love to hear about that too.

More Information for Your Trip to Amsterdam

NETHERLANDS: Learn how to spend 2 perfect days in Amsterdam and the best things to do in Amsterdam. We also have a guide on how to visit Haarlem, Utrecht, and The Hague.

MORE CITIES AROUND THE WORLD: Visit more cities around the world with our guides to Rome, Paris, New York City, London, Barcelona, and Athens.

EUROPE ITINERARY IDEA: If you have 10 days in Europe, learn how to visit Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris.

GERMANY: Go on a 10 day road trip through Bavaria, learn about the best things to do in Berlin, and how to visit Neuschwanstein Castle.

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