Amsterdam, seduces tourists with its stunning setting around a 17th century ‘Golden Age’ ring of canals (the Grachtengordel), some of the world's finest art (in the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum) and its tolerant culture. It is a city of charm and easy-going appeal. However, the best places to stay in Amsterdam have always presented something of a problem, since the vast majority of buildings in the city’s historic centre are tall and narrow, giving little space for things like restaurants, lounges and spas... so if you want to stay in the centre of town it's worth perusing our Guru’s list of the best guesthouses in Amsterdam.

Many of our Guru’s best Amsterdam guesthouses occupy the tall, narrow canal houses built for merchants and now restored, though a recent trend has seen the conversion of handsome public buildings into glossy new addresses such as The College Hotel. But our Gurus have divided our recommendations for the best places to stay in Amsterdam into Amsterdam's 20 Best Hotels and the 15 Best Guesthouses in Amsterdam to make it easier for you to find the best places to stay in Amsterdam for you!

Tony Fantis

The 16 Best Guesthouses in Amsterdam

The Most Romantic Guesthouses in Amsterdam

The Seven One Seven Hotel is a wonderfully grand, 17th century sugar-trader's residence oozing with old-world charm. There are just nine rooms, and the address is canal-side. If you want to stay somewhere intimate, beautiful and perfectly located then it's hard to find better.

Another great guesthouse for couples is Misc, a six room, renovated 17th century canal house in the heart of Amsterdam. Personally-styled boutique-feeling rooms have bright, modern decor and canal or garden views, and there's a small cocktail bar. You're right by the cultural and fashion districts, and you can hire a bike from the hotel.

Fulco Smit Roeters

Elegant, romantic and in the heart of Amsterdam, Breitner House offers just two rooms of champagne breakfasts and architectural treasures. Impressionists such as George Breitner and Isaac Israel worked in these splendid rooms.

The Best Boutique Guesthouses in Amsterdam

The simply named Canal House is a converted 17th century mercant's townhouse in the heart of Amsterdam's cultural centre. The 23 rooms have a contemporary feel, with old-world touches - dark woods and ornate ceilings, chic and open-plan. Guests can also enjoy the lovely garden with a romantic gazebo, tucked away from the city bustle.

Or you might consider the Hotel Toren, a lavishly designed boutique hotel with 38 rooms, some with canal views, and the option to order Michelin starred room service. Dam Square, the Royal Palace and several museums are within walking distance of the hotel.

The Best Guesthouses in Amsterdam for a City Break

The Hotel Roemer Amsterdam is an intimate, Art Deco hotel in downtown Amsterdam, with 37 individually decorated rooms and suites, a wonderful private garden and a roaring fire in the cosy lounge. This is a fun and stylish hotel, intimate enough to be called a guesthouse.

The Sandton Hotel Filosoof is a stylishly designed, 38 room guesthouse, converted from two 19th Century townhouses in the old city centre, close the museums.

The Ambassade Hotel is a modern, mid-sized hotel charmingly converted from ten 17th Century canal hosues. The rooms are large and individually decorated in the Louis XVI in style, filled with traditional antiques and complemented with modern art. There's fine dining at Brasserie Ambassade & drinks in the library.

For something hip, but also beautifully located, try the Max Brown Hotel, which has 34 stylish rooms overlooking one of Amsterdam’s prettiest canals, close to the major sights and nightlife.

The Hotel V Frederiksplein is a modern, 48 room B&B in a fantastic central location. They offer great advice and free bike hire, and the 48 rooms are generally small, with compact bathrooms. The beds, however, by Auping feature organic, eco duvets which ups the comfort rating. And after a good day’s exploring you're welcome to relax by the fire in the open plan bar-lounge with its soulful and funky background music.

The Best Guesthouses in Amsterdam for Families

The Blue Sheep B&B is an adorable, eight room, family-run B&B in central Amsterdam with lovely exposed brickwork and wooden beams.

Best Amsterdam Guesthouses for Canal Views

The Hotel Estheréa is perfectly located, right by Amsterdam’s oldest canal, a wonderful, 17th Century boutique hotel with extravagant decoration and great views. Large suites are all unique with luxurious fabrics and vibrant wallpapers. Breakfast is worth waking up for; drinks at the bar worth staying up for.

The Hotel Wiechmann is a simple, family-run hotel in three converted canal house on the Prinsengracht canal in the centre of town. It has comfortable rooms with modern bathrooms and a complimentary delicious breakfast, and makes for a well located, and reasonable break.

The Best Value Guesthouses in Amsterdam

For around £50 a night you can stay at the V Hotel, a hip and happening spot with smallish rooms, eco-decorations and a central location.

The AMS Suites are a collection of just four modern, minimalist suites in a beautiful historic building. The simple details make the most of the original features, you're close to many of the main sights, and rooms start from around £115 per night.

If you haven’t found your idea of the perfect Amsterdam guesthouse on our Guru’s list of the best Amsterdam guesthouses, you could:

• Consult our Guru’s list of Amsterdam's 20 best hotels?
• Or you could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Amsterdam?
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

The 16 Best Guesthouses in Amsterdam

 

Written by Alexander Duncan

posted Wednesday, 23rd March 2011