Amsterdam: Hotel Brouwer or Hotel Alexander?

I haven't stayed at either hotel, by in terms of location I would go with Hotel Brouwer. It's more central (walking distance to Centraal Station and Dam Dquare lots of tram lines nearby) and the neighborhood is prettier and more historic:
http://goo.gl/maps/6OeSt

On the flip side the Alexander is on the other side of the city center walking distance to the Rijks/Van Gough Museum and Vondelpark and Leidsplien. Not a bad location, and it will be a bit quieter.

Personally I wouldn't stay in any hotel in July without AC.

I have stayed at the Brouwer and in the Museum neighborhood. The Hotel Brouwer is old and funky with a friendly staff and a good breakfast. It's very close to the train station and the Jordaan neighborhood. It is however at the edge of the Red Light district and one of my traveling companions complained about the noise late into the night. The museum area is a "nicer" neighborhood. I know nothing about July and air conditioning needs.

"...It is however at the edge of the Red Light district...."

Not the main Red Light District, that's in a different neighborhood, not near the Brouwer. There is a very tiny smaller district in the area, but it only comprises one small alleyway and easily avoided. IMO it doesn't detract from the area.

I prefer the location of Hotel Alexander. It is very close to 3 major museums, Leidseplein, the Vondelpark and it is located in a better area. The area attracts far less overdrunk-people-having-the-night-of-their-lives as well, groups of which are always an obnoxious and annoying crowd to come across with.

Other advantage of the location of Hotel Alexander is that you can easily catch trams to anywhere else you want to go with ease (the Tropen Museum, the Central Station, the Dam - though you can walk there etc)

"...Other advantage of the location of Hotel Alexander is that you can easily catch trams to anywhere else you want to go with ease (the Tropen Museum, the Central Station, the Dam - though you can walk there etc)..."

The Hotel Brouwer has greater access to tram lines than the Alexander. Brouwer is accessible from lines 1,2,5,13,17.
Alexander is near just line 1.

Stayed in Hotel Brouwer many times. It is not the Ritz but is functional and has a great location. I don't think there is air conditioning. Yes noisy at night. I just bring ear plugs when in Europe. Haven't stayed at Hotel Alexander. Beautiful area.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I really appreciate it. After reviewing our itinerary we decided to stay in the Museum area and have booked a property recommended in Rick's Amsterdam book, Hotel Fita. It's a bit pricier than the two I originally looked at but it includes breakfast & for only 2 nights we think it's worth it. No a/c but they do have fans in the rooms and an elevator. Comes highly recommended too. Happy traveling everyone...and thank you again.