We have one night in Amsterdam before we board on a river cruise. Looking for suggestions of mid-range hotel that is walkable to restaurants, city center, museums etc. and, best way to get to hotel from airport? Also, hotel walkable to port to get on river cruise? Or Uber?
Thank you.
The port isn't near the heart of Amsterdam - you'll need to take a cab. We love The Craftsmen Hotel - check in out and read reviews on TripAdvisor - but book direct with the hotel.
Here's my suggestion, if you are able bodied and able to carry/wheel your bags.
One night before a cruise isn't much time.
First, take the train from the Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station. It's easy.
Watch a YouTube video on how to do this if you are hesitant and never taken public transportation before.
Second, stay at the Double tree Hotel, near train station and near the port.
As you exit the train station, turn left and walk/wheel your bags 500 feet to the Double tree.
In the morning, you will carry/wheel your bags 300 feet to the North, behind the hotel to the Viking? (you didn't say what cruise line) dock. If you are on a different carrier, you will need to research where your dock is. If it's far , you will have to take a taxi. or perhaps stay the at the Movenpick Hotel which is near one of the cruise docks.
With only one night before your cruise, you aren't going to get to do much, and I doubt you will have the hours to spend at a museum.
But if you do have the time, you catch the tram in front of the train station. There are several tram routes that go there. You can use your credit card to tap in/tap out at the sensor on the tram. Each of you will need to their own credit card.
If you are unsure on how to do this, watch a YouTube video. It's easy.
You can take the tram to Musuemsplein stop, get off there and visit the Van Gogh, and the Rijksmsueum (assuming you have pre-booked your tickets.)
There are lots of places to is it and see, but one afternoon and one morning isn't a lot of time. So I'm not going to list them. One night before a cruise doesn't do justice on what to see and do in Amsterdam.
But I suggest you take a canal cruise. near the train station. There are many companies, but Stromma Canal cruises is near the train station as is Lovers Canal Cruises. You get take an evening cruise (are you going in spring or summer?) if your time is tight.
If you have time and can walk, I suggest walking around the Jordan neighborhood, which is nearby. With your back to the train station, turn right and follow the streets to the canal area. Beautiful area.
If you go left, and walk aways, you will enter the red light district.
As for restaurants, I don't know how much you can spend or what type of food you want. But there are plenty.
Open google maps or Apple Maps and you will see all the restaurants. We liked Loetje, across the street from Central Station.
Breakfast we liked Pancakes (for breakfast).
Hope this info helps you do your research. Bon voyage!. We spent a week in Amsterdam and still didn't see and do everything we wanted to see and do. One night doesn't do it justice.
Thank you for the suggestions of hotels and what to see and do in such a small amount of time. We have been to Amsterdam before, and love it, would enjoy seeing more museums and walking the canals. We have an adult handicap son at home and getting all his needs covered prevents us from staying longer and enjoying more!
We are taking a Viking Cruise mid-May to Basel from Amsterdam. So much we would love to do. We arrive around 10 am and it looks like we board the next morning on Viking.
We thought staying in the heart of Amsterdam and taking a taxi to the dock would work. But it sounds like your suggestion is to stay near the port, drop luggage, and tram to the city.
Thank you so very much!!!!
I would similarly recommend the Movenpick Hotel. It is adjacent to the cruise dock and has frequent trams to the Central Station, from where you can rapidly get to anywhere else in Amsterdam.
That Doubletree really is quite central to the historic parts of Amsterdam. It's not way off in a dockyard or anything. We stayed at the Kimpton for a splurge and walked over to the Doubletree to enjoy their rooftop bar one night. The Kimpton is just a bit farther from the train station, but in the opposite direction and wouldn't be as convenient to boarding your boat.
One of the sights close to the Doubletree that you may not have seen on your previous visit would be the Church in the Attic. I liked it.
Wow, thank you everyone! Really appreciate the feedback. Sounds like staying at the Doubletree or Movenpic is a good option. We can drop luggage and easily get to restaurants Jordaan neighborhood and museums, with easy access to board our Viking cruise the next morning.
One last question. Has anyone taken the train from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal Station? Easy?
Thank you.
