Hotel help for first Amsterdam trip

Don't know about that particular Mercure, but I stayed at one in Paris (it is a chain) and it was reasonably priced with a substantial breakfast buffet. Check Booking.com to see reviews of people who have stayed there. I think Tripadvisor lets anyone comment, so I tend to be skeptical about their reviews.

http://www.carlton.nl/banksmansion/default-en.html
One of the best places we have ever stayed.Banks Mansion is a little pricey, but all inclusive including open bar/hot appetizers in the evening and hot/cold breakfast in the morning. We thought it was perfect for travel recovery/small explorations prior to a bigger trip. It is close to restaurants and shopping, and some rooms look out over a canal. Check out traveler photos on TripAdvisor. In our experience they are spot on accurate.

I have stayed at the Rho Hotel twice in the last 5 years. Last time this past July. And I thought it was excellent! Just a few steps from Dam Square. The Hotel also includes a very nice breakfast in the room rate, and also has an elevator. Have a blast !

http://www.rhohotel.com/

We are usually hotel people and although not on your list we did stay at Jackie O B&B (breakfast optional), right in Jordaan and quite enjoyed it. It is 5 min walk from the Anne Frank house, red light district, many restaurants, shopping, etc. It is located on a quiet street and the owner lives on a separate/upper floor, is quite hospitable and leaves you to your own unless you require assistance.

The Hampton Inn is no where near the city center. It's next to the soccer stadium which is in the outskirts of the city.
Last week I had a good stay at the Avenue Hotel. It had an excellent breakfast and an ice machine!

The Movenpick Hotel is attached to the cruise ship terminal.

I think we are going on the same cruise in July (Celebrity?). We booked at the Hampton by Hilton Arena because we got a good price. We are staying 4 nights before cruise and 5 nights after. We read the metro/bus is 1-2 blocks away and it takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Centraal Station. We figure the savings are worth the slight inconvenience of the metro. we live in Brooklyn and it takes us about 45 minutes on the subway to get into the city, so this should be a breeze. Hope you report back under trip reports, would love to hear about your trip.

If you are up for a B&B . . . we highly recommend Boogaards B&B - it's on TripAdvisor . . . they jump between the #1 & #4 B&B in Amsterdam. We spent 4 nights there and it is one of our favorite B&Bs in Europe. The BEST breakfasts we have ever had... and amazing desserts/treats daily. And the owner is SO helpful with maps, things to do/see, restaurants . . . much more of a personal touch than a hotel. Don't miss the Anne Frank house . . . buy your tickets online before you go. It was life-changing.

See my answer to your post in the Netherlands Forum.

One more question -- exactly where is "City Center"???? Is it known by another 'nickname'?

Most cities will have the train station as center city. In the case of Amsterdam, it could also be The Dam area--around city hall. But you need to be careful as the red light district is also close by.
Amsterdam hotels are very pricey, especially on weekends.

We tend to stick to bed and breakfasts, and find the suburbs of Amsterdam easy to get to via tram in 15 minutes max. Our favorite B&B has been sold and converted into apartments--a common occurrence in this great city.

Our favorite hotel in Europe is Hotel Schiphol out by the airport. It's especially well priced--a value. Their courtesy car delivers you to the airport, and it just takes 10 minutes to the train station by heavy rail. With 4 adults, the room was almost as large as a house--with 2 leather couches on top of the beds. See: http://www.hotelschiphol.nl/en

Of those choices, I would recommend the Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City and possibly The Albus. I like the Hampton but it isn't walkable to anything you'd want to see though it is very accessible to transportation. The Hotel V's rooms like like something you'd stay in when communism ruled Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union- very cold and impersonal feel to them. The Royal Amsterdam's rooms will induce claustrophobia. The Mercure is the winner in this pack. We have lived in Amsterdam.

I can suggest 3 hotels that are even better-
(1) Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam www.sofitel-legend-thegrand.com/amsterdam/en/suites.php

(2) The Toren www.thetoren.nl/en/rooms/

(3) Banks Mansion www.carlton.nl/banksmansion/default-en.html I agree with Traveling Mom about this place.

While I'm sure they are fine hotels, the Sofitel, Toren, and Banks are three of the most expensive hotels in the city. These are five star hotels instead of "clean (3-4* hotel) ".

We are two Senior ladies traveling to Amsterdam prior to a cruise. We are looking for moderately priced accommodations and a good location. Suggestions / could br B&B or hotel. thanks Ann