We will be in Amsterdam for two nights at the end of October. We are first timers here and looking for a moderately priced hotel ($150 or less) Should we look in the museum district or the canal ring. I read that Joordan is good for first timers but all I see there is the Ann Frank house which we probably won't be going to. I want to go to the flower market, Van Gogh museum and some other main attractions. Can anyone recommend an area which would be best and/or specific hotels?
The Ann Frank house is one of my favorite things I have done in all of Europe. It is life changing to see what happened and the history. If you haven't done it while in Europe, try and tour Holocaust things like Ann Frank, Documentation Centers, Concentration Camps. If you change your mind and go, get your tickets online ASAP as they sell out fast and you won't get in without online tickets. The line is SO long. We also loved one of the Gouda Shops cheese and wine tastings. And a Canal Cruise is a great way to see the area. We also did the Van Gogh Museum. We stayed inn a wonderful B&B there. We researched Trip Advisor B&Bs.
If you are interested in a charming B&B in the Museum area this is where we are staying in September. www.collectorb&b. Originally we planned to stay in a hotel, but due to availability and location it was not an option. The owner rents 2 rooms in this charming neighborhood. We are paying less that $150 per night. We are walking distance to the concert hall, Van Gogh & Rijksmuseum, etc. Popular place and recommended on this Forum as well as online.
We are planning to go to the Anne Frank House. If you change your mind you need to purchase tickets online 2 months in advance. As mentioned upthread, we will also take a canal boat cruise.
I recommend this hotel that might be in your price range
https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-9137-ibis-styles-amsterdam-central-station/index.shtml#origin=ibis
You can walk everywhere from there or easy tram ride from the Museum area and it you will never get lost.
The Flower market in October may be a dud that time a year.
The Anne Frank House was anticlimatic.
But Amsterdam is just a great stunning city outside to see by itself
I just stayed at Ibis Styles hotel nr train station, our rate which included full brfast was about $160 per night for 2. It is walking distance to alot. And tram is on same street. Realize it may look alittle gritty in front but unfortunaely this goes with alot of Ams. The hotel is vry clean , quiet and safe and yummy brfst with attentive staff. For Ams this rate is very reasonable, as i have stayed 2x bef at other hotels for alot more.
It is west of the Joordan neighborhood. You can easily get to the museum area and Dam Square on the tram. We liked the neighborhood because it is not a touristy area but where locals live. There is a school across the street. Relatively quiet and safe neighborhood with lots of restaurants, cafes, and shops on the main street. We walked along the canals early evenings - very peaceful. The hotel has large rooms with a very friendly staff. The breakfast buffet is very good.
By the way, there is more to Joordan than just the Anne Frank house. We took a food tour of the Joordan which was fantastic. Saturday morning is the Noordmarket. I highly recommend Moeders for traditional Dutch food, which is only 3 tram stops from the hotel or 15-20 min walk east. The Food Hallen is a 10 min walk south.