- Destinations
- Amsterdam
- Where to stay
Where to stay in Amsterdam
From canal’s-edge hideaways to super-central budget stays, find your perfect place to stay in Amsterdam.
Plan your journey
With Eurostar now running Thalys’ routes, getting here by train is a breeze. Here, some of Amsterdam’s most romantic hotels overlook the Grachtengordal (canal belt), whose handsome townhouses edge elm-shaded canals. To the west, Jordaan and The Nine Streets brim with boutiques and eateries, while once-industrial Amsterdam Noord is a ferry-hop across the river. The city’s other neighbourhoods fan out beyond the Singelgracht canal. As a base for a city break in Amsterdam, each has something different to offer, from Vondelpark’s greenery to Museumplein’s cultural riches.
Staying in the city centre
If you’re planning a weekend in Amsterdam, keep it simple with a stay in the Centrum, where the options run from no-frills hotels to grand canal-side suites. Stroll to your hotel from the station, then head out to explore the sights – most of which are on your doorstep.
Waterfront stays
Few hotels are as central as the France Hotel Amsterdam, 600 metres from Centraal Station. It overlooks the canal at Oudezijds Kolk, next door to Molly Malone’s – reason enough to kick off your trip with a precision-poured Guinness. Claim a canal-view room for a basic but comfortable stay, breakfasting at one of the many nearby cafés. For boutique-hotel charm, the Max Brown Canal District is set on Herengracht; flanked by wealthy merchants’ mansions, it’s the city’s prettiest canal. If more expansive vistas appeal, the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre occupies an island-set skyscraper in the docks, with mesmerising views of the river IJ.
Hotels with history
Sprawling across a series of 17th-century townhouses, the five-star NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace makes for a luxurious stay. Steeped in the past, it’s well-versed in modern comforts, from the Turkish baths in its wellness space to its beautifully pared-back rooms – including beamed junior suites, with mezzanine bedrooms in the eaves. In situ since 1896, the De l’Europe is another standout five-star, with sumptuous interiors, a spa and indoor pool, and a two-starred fine-dining restaurant. For a slice of more recent history, check into the Hilton Amsterdam, where John and Yoko staged their famous bed-in.
Cheap hotels in Amsterdam
There are plenty of affordable places to stay if you’re visiting Amsterdam on a budget, from innovative pod hotels to B&Bs of every stripe. Hotels here can be expensive, but you’ll still find options for £80.00 and under, especially if you book ahead.
WestCord Art Hotel Amsterdam
Welcome to one of the city’s best budget-friendly all-rounders. Bold artworks add character to its spacious rooms, kitted out with all the essentials – including free WiFi and dinky coffee machines. Family rooms feature a separate sleeping area for kids, while couples can take in the view from the seventh-floor balcony rooms. In summer, there’s complimentary access to the neighbouring outdoor pool, while Westerpark’s lawns and willow-framed ponds are a 15-minute walk away. On the park’s southern edge, former gasworks Westergas is now a cultural hub, with shops, exhibitions and more: grab a coffee or craft beer and start exploring.
Hotel Roemer
The 38-room Hotel Roemer is as charming as its surrounds, set in two 18th-century mansions on the elegant Roemer Visscherstraat. Vondelpark’s greenery is at the end of the street, while Leidseplein’s bars and café terraces are just across the canal. Antique rugs and eclectic art lend the hotel a home-from-home vibe, while its tranquil private courtyard is edged by low-slung sofas. Its compact doubles and calm basement rooms are a steal, while the Junior Suites (some with freestanding tubs) are worth an upgrade if you can. Triple and quadruple rooms cater to visiting groups, while the designated family room squeezes in a set of bunk beds.
The Urban Lodge Hotel
Staying outside the centre often means more for your money – and this sleek, design-savvy Westpoort address is an excellent case in point. Its rooms are kitted out in pale woods, with leather chairs and king-sized beds, while playful touches include the bathrooms’ artist-designed tiles. Downstairs is a lodge-style living room, with low-slung sofas to curl up in, along with a bold, blue-tiled bar for early evening tipples. From nearby Sloterdijk, the train to Centraal Station takes under ten minutes, and the hotel has its own smart fleet of bikes to hire.
Eco-friendly stays
When it comes to sustainability, Amsterdam’s ahead of the curve, with an impressive array of eco-certified hotels. The best of the bunch add their own twist to cleaner, greener stays, from paperless check-ins to thriving rooftop gardens and creative, zero-waste cocktails.
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Overlooking the river Amstel, the Eden combines serious style with impeccable eco-credentials. Think organic toiletries, locally-sourced breakfasts, and a focus on reducing waste that’s earned it a Green Key Gold rating. Rooms run from compact, cabin-like doubles to spacious apartments, while romantics favour the gilded, burlesque-inspired rooms. Downstairs is a Tokyo-style listening bar and handy mini-market, along with a Michelin-starred ‘speakeasy’ – the polished but playful Graphite. The sights are on your doorstep, starting with Rembrandtplein, where a statue of the great man surveys the buzzing café terraces.
Conscious Hotel Amsterdam City (The Tire Station)
No one does hip, sustainable stays quite like Conscious Hotels, whose four Amsterdam outposts are stationed by the city’s parks. Walk a hundred metres from the Tire Station’s front door, and you’re in Vondelpark– a green and lovely swathe of parkland, where joggers weave between the ponds and parakeets swoop in the treetops. The hotel itself is a feelgood affair, with friendly staff, all-organic menus, and a laidback coffee bar in the lobby. A host of eco-minded measures have won it Green Key Gold status, from the solar panels on the roof and water-saving shower heads to the duvets in its pared-back rooms, filled with welfare-certified down.
Romantic and boutique hotels
Amsterdam was made for falling in love – even if it’s just with the city. Wake up to a painterly view of the canals, followed by breakfast in bed, or check into one of the city’s myriad boutique addresses, for decadent suites, cocooning spas and the finest of dining.
Best for lovers
Hide out in the Hotel MAI Amsterdam, set behind discrete, black-painted doors in the city’s historic Chinatown. Its East-meets-West interiors are masterfully done, with jewel-like hues set against more sombre shades, and a light-filled, art-dotted lobby. Spread out in a split-level loft suite, or cosy up in a double with a view of the Geldersekade canal. In the canal belt, The Pulitzer is another romantic retreat: an opulent five-star set across 25 historic townhouses. Sip a cocktail in its low-lit bar, linger over breakfast in the garden, or commandeer one of two handsome boats for a private tour of the canals.
Best for boutique stays
Just beyond the canal ring, Oud-West is dotted with hip hangouts and boutique stays – including the Hotel van de Vijsel. What was once a timber-trader’s HQ is now a polished hotel, whose 82 wood-panelled rooms and suites nod to the building’s past. In the centre, meanwhile, The Hendrick’s Hotel has just 25 rooms, neatly slotted into a Golden-Age canal house. Check into the superior double with a bathtub at the end of the bed, or duck below the beams in a top-floor hideaway. Staff can help with reservations and recommendations, while the station’s a ten-minute walk away, when it’s time to take your leave.
Book Train + Hotel to save on your stay
Plan your trip from route to room with Eurostar.
FAQ
Yes, there is a direct train from London to Amsterdam which gets you there is just under 4 hours. Book your trip with Eurostar to Amsterdam from only £39* one way.
Hotel prices reflect the city’s popularity, but you’ll still find plenty of wallet-friendly options, from friendly hostels to slick boutique hotels. To reduce your overheads, look at options beyond the canal belt, and consider booking a train and hotel package.
You can! The city’s tap water is filtered, and safe to drink. You’ll also find water fountains and refill stations across the city, in squares, playgrounds and parks.
Smoking in banned in hotel rooms, though if you have a private balcony, some hotels allow you to smoke outside. Other hotels, like the Pulitzer, have designated smoking areas in their gardens.
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**Tickets from £39 per person one way based on a mandatory return trip in Standard from London St Pancras International to Brussels-Midi/Zuid, Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Lille, for travel between 21/01/2025 to 02/04/2025. Subject to availability. Availability varies according to dates and times. Blackout dates may apply. The earlier you book, the more availability. Correct as at 04/12/2024.