Deciding on accoms in Amsterdam

I've never had any trouble keeping some amount of snacks and breakfast foods in any hotel room. Even without a fridge, if you buy a small milk in the evening, it's probably fine until the next morning. Of course, your second listing is giving you access to her kitchen. I think you'll appreciate the convenience of the more central location.

Regarding safey and the RLD.
I have lived in Chicago all my life. I've been to Amsterdam several times from 2002 to just last month 2016.
The Red Light District is safe as it is full of tourists. Nothing to worry about.

We stayed right near there - and our daughter was 14 at the time - and it was all good. We don't party, we're not into nightlife and it was just fine where we were. I liked the central location very much. My daughter and I felt safe on our own everywhere - and that's the same trip we hit Brussels on - where my daughter and I did not enjoy venturing out on our own that much.

Still weighing options - I like the thought of being in the center. Found a few other airbnb's but need to decide soon. My biggest concern about the RLD is that I've read (on a few other sites) that you can get a lot of drunken tourists there - but where we are there from a Sun to Thurs, may not be as bad. She isn't actually in the RLD per se, but close by. I know if we are further out of center, that we won't be going back to make meals, and at least if we are more towards the center, if we get tired or the weather turns bad, we can get back easily to the room.

I looked at that air bnb option and it looks to be far away enough from the RLD. The hotel2stay area does not have much to see or do around it but there is a lot of options in public transportation to get you to the center (particularly bus 22 which lists the schedule directly at the stop) and the airport.

Don't stay out really late when there is less a police presence and less people on the street. There are drunk tourists in other areas like the Leidseplein ( which is the main district for nightlife and shopping) near the center as well and not just the red light district.

Thanks cmorgan - def leaning towards the airbnb - there are a few other in that same area about the same price that look quite nice. Hubby said to go with the cheapest (of course) - but I'll compromise and go cheaper in the smaller places we are staying (which are somewhere else in NL - haven't decided where yet, and Gent).

I really would like to be more central as I may sneak out a few mornings for some photo taking.

We aren't ones for really staying out late anymore - usually by 8pm, we're done for the day.

Plus, I have a $100 credit with airbnb, so that covers the fees!

For the record, I ended up with a diff airbnb. I noticed this one didn't have any bookings at all after the first week of Jan. Sent a req and they aren't booking right now, so perhaps they are going away or going to rent out the space. I found another a little further out, but not too much further. He was all booked around the days I wanted, so I figured that was a sign to book it now! Hard to find something for 5 nights in April. He has great reviews and there is a huge street market nearby (Albert Cuypmarkt) so that'll be awesome...I'll make sure to have my belongings secured when I venture out. It's in the 'Pijp' neighbourhood. Oh - I see they prepare stroopwafels at the market! Yum...