My best friend and I are spending two nights in Amsterdam, then on to Prague, and back to Amsterdam to fly out the next morning 7:30 A. M. We'd like to find lodging with easy access (shuttle, etc) to the airport early in the morning. Our price range is around $150 (US dollars). Also, on the return trip Amsterdam-USA do we need to be at the airport 2 to 3 hours early? We are using 21-inch carry-ons. Any ideas would be so helpful!!
I stayed in Amsterdam this summer and also flew to Prague for several days. It was wonderful, you will enjoy Prague very much. There is so much beauty in that city it is hard to know where to look first. I took the train from Schiphol into Amsterdam after my flight landed as I was departing the next morning by train for Germany, and stayed at the Victoria Park Plaza Hotel which is directly across from Centraal Station. I was arriving late and leaving early and I wanted something very, very, close as well as safe and easily accessible. The hotel was great, the room was very pleasant, and the hotel staff were amazing. I booked online in advance and the rate was Euros 110. Although it's a short train ride in from Schiphol it worked for me and I'd do it again.
There is an Ibis Hotel attached to Centraal Station, which charges about $150 USD. You must book this hotel ahead of time as it is very popular. If the the airline you are using gives you the option of checking-in and printing out your boarding card via the Internet, then 2 hours should be sufficient. If you need to use the check-in desks to get your boarding pass, then allow 3 hours. Be advised that security screenings at Schipol are done at the individual gates; its critical to be at your gate at least 1 hour before departure as security is more thorough for trans-Atlantic flights.