Amsterdam Hotels -- Best Western Dam Square or The Bridge Hotel?

I haven't stayed at either. The Bridge is in a beautiful residential area; about a 20 minute walk to the Rijksmusem. Best Western is more central, and a lot busier. But you are within walking distance to Centraal Station, and most all the tram lines are just around the corner from your hotel.

Haven't stayed at either but Best Western Dam Square has a super location.
The center of Amsterdam is very walkable.

Thank you for your replies. I'm now leaning toward the Best Western Dam Square.

One thing you might want to do before deciding is to google the addresses on Google maps and "walk" the area. Unfortunately, you cannot walk the street that the Best Western is on, but you can walk the 2 major streets on either side. Damrak is particularly busy and commercial and was not my favorite area to be in when we visited. When we first arrived, we rode a tram down Damrak on our way to where we were staying and I was actually discouraged. However, if you get away from this "hotbed of commercialism", Amsterdam becomes more charming. (In my opinion of course) We stayed outside the central part of Amsterdam and loved it. We were more in a neighborhood and used the trams to get to everything. (We were not that far out and actually walked from Central station to our B&B twice...however there was a tram that dropped us off a block away as well) We had no regrets. Our friends stayed right in the Dam square area when they went. They also had no regrets. We each chose according to the experience we were looking for. So walk the streets and think about how you are "imagining" your time there.

]Have not stayed in either hotel, but seems to me that staying near the Dam is like staying at Times Square( I was exaggerating, forgive me, but that area is fine for looking but not for sleeping.). The attractions near the Bridge seems more scenic to me. Course, I like the Hestia too, also a couple blocks away from the crowds at Leidesplein. Once you walk through the Dam, you're done with that part, imho.

Appreciate all the replies! May have to start from scratch. BW is no longer available . Will take a look at Hestia. Thx all!

Another good hotel in the Dam Square area is the RHO Hotel: www.rhohotel.com/

We finally locked in the date for our river cruise, and have a reservation for one night at the Rho Hotel. Interesting though - the room rate on the website was 179 Euros, (another location said midweek it was up to 170 Euros) so I emailed the hotel and asked what the rate was they answered that it was 200 Euros.. hmmmm.... so I made the reservation through the Booking link for 179. Interesting! Now we need one night in Mainz for the end of the cruise. We're thinking we would take the train from Basel to Mainz, then fly out of Frankfurt the following day. The Ibis has been recommended, because of the great location.

Try Hotel Brouwer. In the Jordaan area very central and very nice.
5 minute walk to Dam Square.

We stayed in Amsterdam North a couple of times, but the hotel owner cashed in and went condo. Last trip, we stayed close by our original location in a B&B, and took the tram 10 minutes into the city center. Amsterdam has many charming neighborhoods that are easily negotiated by public transit. I prefer the quieter neighborhoods over loud bars and too close to the red light district.

The hotel Fita is very nice with a wonderful breakfast.Nice area.

I really appreciate all the thoughtful replies. As I mentioned above, I do have a reservation right now at the Rho Hotel. It sounds like a decent place, altho in a really busy and possibly noisy-at-night area. We're only going to be there the one night, so it should be okay, especially since every place I've checked that is under 200 euros a night is already booked......I guess mid September is a really popular time to visit Amsterdam. Thanks, all!

If your travel dates are between 12-17 of September, that would be when the International Broadcasters convention takes place in Amsterdam. It's one of the biggest conventions in the world, and hotel rates are sky high in Amsterdam and lots of other hotels in other cities in Holland.

That explains it! It is Sept. 12!! Thx for that info!

We loved the location and everything about this hotel, right next to Vondel Park and near the art museums, with restaurants & grocery store nearby. We would stay here again. Amsterdam Marriott Hotel Stadhouderskade 12 Amsterdam, 1054 ES, Netherlands Phone: 31 20 6075555 * Fax: 31 20 6075511
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