Any Amsterdam goers?

ICEMAN133

ICEMAN133

ICEMAN133

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During my time @ uni, me and some mates always wanted to go to the dam, and now we're all working we've just decided we're gonna go and book it.

I'm having a look around the net to book something, my question(s) is basically, where should i be going, in terms of hotel location?

I won't beat around the bush - we'll be in coffee shops the majority of the time, so where in amsterdam would be best to stay? Wouldn't mind some decent clubs/pubs/bars too, but the whole culture thing won't be happening.


On lastminute, choices of location are narrowed down to distance from;

Amsterdam historical museum
Anne Frank house
Heineken Experience
Royal Palace
Stedelijk Museum of modern art
NEMO museum
Rijksmuseum
Rembrandt museum
Dam square

I'm kinda assuming dam square is where i wanna be, though i dont want to book something and be miles from anywhere.

Anyone been/goes regularly/knows where we should be looking to stay?

If it matters, we're looking to go the last weekend of nov./first of dec.


Cheers in advance
 
TBH it doesn't really matter where you stay as long as you're near the centre. We've stayed at the Leidesplein a few times (however you spell it) and that's always good. Busy with coffee shops and sports bars near by and not right next to the red light district. Try it out.
 
I tend to alternate between staying on Dam square ( Krasnapolsky ) and the Leidseplein ( NH Amsterdam centre )

most of those places you mention are fairly central with a possible bias towards the Leidseplein area

a couple of comments on these

Amsterdam historical museum - not been
Anne Frank house - of obvious historical importance but nothing as a "spectacle" , huge queues unless you get there early
Heineken Experience - was ok till they limited the free beer :p
Royal Palace - not sure you can go in , just a big building from outside
Stedelijk Museum of modern art - not been
NEMO museum - never heard of it
Rijksmuseum - not been
Rembrandt museum - not been
Dam square - nothing really there


oops, makes me realise that in about 12 visits I haven't seen much :o

torture museum is good for a laugh after a few beers ( if "laugh" is the correct expression :eek: )
 
Went a month back and found I ended up mainly around Rembrandt Square. Lots of places to eat and plenty of coffee shops around. Also Rembrandt Sqr is a short walk from the Red light district which is nice :d

Quick tip though, dont really eat around the centre, wander off to the side streets and find some thing there. Ams is quite an expensive city and all that eating, smoking, drinking hits your wallet hard.

Another thing you gotta do is go to the Heineken Museum. It costs 10Euro and in that price you get a nice little walk about free gifts and two free pints.. Bargain!!!

Funny enough though I'm going back next month with the guys from work. Havent even started the new job yet and they've said they would pay for me to travel, eat, drink. :cool:
 
We stayed right next to Leidseplein at the Mariott, I have been to most of the places you have said;

Amsterdam historical museum
Heineken Experience
Stedelijk Museum of modern art
NEMO museum
Rijksmuseum
Rembrandt museum
Dam square

Out of them I would suggest the Heineken experience but be drunk before hand.

Rijkmuseum, very nice part of amsterdam.

Take a look at the Van Gogh museum aswell.

Around Leidseplein they are a lot of good bars and clubs but they don't really open till 12 midnight or 1am but then stay open till 4ish.

The nemo museum is a bit of a trek to get to, its right on the harbour just past the central station, you can see it as its a huge green building.

Also I suggest the banana bar ;)

KaHn
 
My favourite museum in Amsterdam was the Museum of Dutch Resistance, charting the history of, well, dutch resistance during the Nazi Occupation. Very interesting if you're into your history.

As for hotels, first time I went to Amsterdam I stayed in Piet Hein (swanky place, went with my parents). Then this summer, when I did Amsterdam proper ;) i stayed almost nextdoor to that, at the Flying Pig uptown hostel. Class place.

I'd personally rather be that side of Amsterdam, near the Vondelpark, as it's well located in terms of attractions, but also just a nice area, too.

Have a great time,

rob.
 
The only museum we went to there was the sex museum. ;)

There was a lovely pancake shop too.. but if you are just going to be smoking and drinking all weekend you won't appreciate.

Club-wise - we stayed at Hotel Arena, which had a club :\ that people flocked in to go to... think Eric Prydz was playing when we were there.

Have fun!

BB x
 
The Banana bar eh, isn't that were you can get one of the nice ladies to write you name on a card using her thingymabob.

Also I like the fact that you intend to visit lots of cafes & get round to all those places. The "coffee" over there is incredibly strong so once you have some your just want to sit on a sofa & giggle (although don't fall asleep as they poke you with a broom handle ;) )
 
If you are looking for information on stuff to do and the areas where everything is here is a thread I replied to a while ago after I had just returned from Amsterdam:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17568100

As for accomodation, I stayed in the Botel and booked through the website http://www.amsterdamby.com which has loads of hotels to choose from.

The Botel was basic but right next to the train station and 5 mins from Dam Square.
 
cheers for the replies

hotel im looking at (the ajax iirc) is very cheap and cheerful it seems, but pretty central, and between the dam and rembrandt square(s).

*counting the days*
 
Rotty said:
torture museum is good for a laugh after a few beers ( if "laugh" is the correct expression :eek: )
Click to expand...

Yep, the amsterdam dungeon is pretty good. Has an inside roller coaster type ride.
 
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