Amsterdam B&B and Hotel Recommendations

We stayed at Boogaards B&B and just LOVED it. The owners were so helpful - such a personal touch compared to a hotel, plus, if you've never been to Amsterdam, you will need that ONE ON ONE experience. It is large, lots of bikes, trains, etc. Peeter will give you maps, directions, tell you the best way to get places. The airport is not in Amsterdam - wherever you stay, you will have to take the train into the OLD area of Amsterdam. Boogaards has an email address on his website and also thru TripAdvisor . . . feel free to email him with questions . . . he will get back with you very quickly re: walking distances to places. We walked to most places - canal tour, Anne Frank, shops, restaurants. We did take the train thru town to get to the museums - Peeter told us exactly how to use the train - we bought an on and off pass and used the train all day - the map is easy and they announce stops and have signs on the train about locations. Peeter's directions were perfect. Not sure what price range you are looking for, but TripAdvisor has never steered us wrong in Europe or here in the USA. Google Boogaards B&B - lots of good info on that webpage. Whatever place you choose to stay will be great I'm sure . . . we loved our 4 nights in Amsterdam.

We LOVED the Anne Frank House. The brochure they give you is so great . . . take the time to read each section as you go thru each room. It is an amazing, emotional experience. Buy your tickets online before you go.

Peeter will make you a HUGE, authentic Dutch breakfast everyday . . . so at lunch, we just grabbed a snack (amazing French Fries w/all types of yummy sauces) . . . we took Peter's recommendations for dinners (which were all perfect) . . . and then we had fresh, homemade Dutch treats/desserts made by Peter back at the B&B.

Another thing we did that you didn't mention was a GOUDA and wine tasting at one of the MANY cheese shops. I think we picked one off of TripAdvisor.

we just got back. Hotel Clemens is amazing. 4 star but 2 star pricing. Great location, but not sure how old your mother is, it is a canal house, so there are the famous stairs!

We stayed 6 nights at the Best Western Leidseplein, just south of the canal. Nice looking building though lacking charm inside, but perfectly comfortable, quiet, and clean, with a nice added breakfast and helpful front desk. We chose it for location and elevators, since stairs are a problem for my wife. Very convenient to Van Gogh and Rejksmuseum and the modern-art one whose name escapes me, plus Vondelpark and the "Blue Boat" canal tours. Trams from Leidseplein go everywhere.

We got there on the Schipol Travel Taxi, which was easier for us with bags since the train goes to the Centraal station in the heart of the city. If you stay close to Centraal or Dam Square you'll do better with the train.

Here's a post from TripAdvisor, with one person's take on various neighborhoods and where to stay: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g188590-c156882/Amsterdam:The-Netherlands:Where.To.Stay.In.Amsterdam.html

Here's a post from EuroCheapo, with their advice on what to know before choosing a hotel. The post makes a lot of great points, even if you aren't looking for "cheap": http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/amsterdam-hotel-advice.html

Getting to any location in Amsterdam from the airport is easy. In general, you either take the train from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal Station, then walk or take a tram or taxi to your hotel; or, for some locations like Leidseplein, you can take a bus from the airport (which avoids the transfer from train to tram). A taxi from the airport is expensive, but may be worth it for you. Rick's Amsterdam & The Netherlands book has all the details.

Not sure if you are open to a vrbo, but we just got back and stayed here, and we felt like part of the owner's family by the time we left! If Rob is available, you can even go on a canal tour with him on his boat. Amazing!

Easy train from Schipol, then 15 min walk from the station to the flat. Or a taxi direct about 45 euro I think they said, we just did the train.

2 flights of stairs up to apartment, not sure if that is an issue. But it's right on the canal, a few blocks down from the Anne Frank house in the Jordaan, very nice area!!

http://www.vrbo.com/378585

Kim

Stayed at The Toren. Very nice, kinda pricey, and very helpful staff. It's in the Jordaan area. It's a $50 cab ride to the airport.