Haarlem or Amsterdam

What's your price range?

Three adults. Like to stay under $150. Is that doable?

take a look at other books or tripadvisor. RS places tend to fill quickly, especially since he doesn't list very many in Amsterdam. One other idea is to email the places he recommends and ask if they know of any other places they would recommend to you. We did that last summer when we ran into a similar booking problem using a RS book.

Try the Avenue Hotel: http://www.embhotels.nl/en/avenue-hotel/algemeen/home.html

In Haarlem I stayed at the Hotel Restaurant Pizzaria Caruso, which has rooms above the restaurant which are nothing special but very affordable, and the restaurant was great!! My room was clean and comfortable, with a good TV, and a fancy high-tech shower. The dining room is very nice, and the food (Italian) was delicious. I thought it was a good place to stay because the restaurant/bar was so comfortable and handy. I found it in tourist information from the VVV.

We stayed in the Hotel Fita in Amsterdam. The price is about what you are looking for and the couple and their family who run it are nice and very helpful. It is one block from the Rijks Museum and one block from the Van Gogh Museum. The tram and busses are a block away. Google the hotel to find more. Have a great time.

Spent 5 nights at Boogaard's B and B in the summer of 2009. Fabulous place, fabulous host, two fun dogs, great breakfast and an excellent location. Laptop available for use, free baked goods and drinks delivered to your room every day. I have never stayed in a better B and B. 125 euros per night, with some discounts for slow periods. The rooms we had would not sleep 3, but I think there was a larger room on the floor below. Check out Tripadvisor...this place is continuously the number 1 rated B and B with hundreds of positive reviews.

I've stayed at the Hotel De Paris (yes, it's in Amsterdam): http://www.hoteldeparis.nl/ Nothing too spectacular, but I love the Leidseplein neighborhood. I don't think Mr. Steves lists it in his book, but it's about par for his usual recommendations.

in Haarlem Hotel Amadaeus has a B&B over tghe restaurant next door. The room was fine - three beds. NOTHING fancy but right on square. http://www.amadeus-hotel.com/NL/landers.htm In Amsterdam we stayed at a very nice B&B The Flying Pancake. VERY nice but not centrally located - over near zoo. http://www.theflyingpancake.com/ In Amsterdam my favorite hotel is Hotel Brouwer - don't know if they have triples though.

Emily, this hotel in Amsterdam is within your budget. It's close to but not right on top of Leidseplein. Close to tram 1, 2, or 5. The rooms were clean and modern. The staff was great. It has an elevator too (BONUS!). http://www.hotelalexander.nl/Welcome

Depending on when you are going.... We like the Hestia near the Leidesplein and Vondel Park, on a quiet street, but their triple is a bit more than you wanted for summer rates. My husband and older son stayed at the Alexander and thought it was very hot one stay and the fan provided was teeeny. We're used to hot weather but.......
The Hestia had 2 fans in the 4 bedded family room as well as higher ceilings and big windows to let in a breeze. There is a hotel called the Owl next door to it and probably three others I don't remember the names on the same street.

In Amsterdam I stayed in a triple at the Quentin Arrive Hotel - there were 3 twin beds in our room and we had our own toilet and shower. The cost for a triple (random dates in January) is 301 euros or about 75 euros per night.

Thanks for all the leads. I think I have enough to go on now. Happy holidays.

We stayed at the Joops Hotel in Haarlem. Very convenient, right in the middle of town. Our family really enjoyed Haarlem, great market square, people biking everywhere, very pretty city. We took the train into Amsterdam and spent the day there.