Amsterdam has long been one of Europe’s most popular city destinations. A vibrant modern city with a famously lively evening scene, it’s also a fascinating cultural capital with beautiful heritage architecture. Distinctive red-brick residences with hand-painted shop signs and flower-filled window boxes line canals, former warehouses host art exhibitions and late-night gigs, and locals zip between cafés and museums on sleek bicycles. Set amongst all of this are a plethora of fabulous hotels and guesthouses; the list of the best places to stay in Amsterdam is extensive, and there really is something for everyone in this striking city.

Some of our Amsterdam Collections:

• 20 Best Hotels in Amsterdam for Couples
• The Coolest Hotels in Amsterdam
• The 7 Best Hotels for Families in Amsterdam
• 12 of the Best Value Hotels in Amsterdam
• 16 of the Best Guesthouses in Amsterdam
• Best B&Bs in Amsterdam
• Best Boutique Hotels in Amsterdam
• Best Spa Hotels in Amsterdam
• Luxury Hotels in Amsterdam
• Top Amsterdam Hotels with Pools
• Pet Friendly Hotels in Amsterdam
• The 3 Best Hotels near the Maritime Museum
• 5 of the Best Hotels near the NEMO Centre
• The Best Hotels near the Rijksmuseum
• 5 of the Best Hotels near the EYE Filmmuseum,
• 5 of the Best Hotels near the Anne Frank House
• Our 4 Favourite Hotels near the Van Gogh Museum
• 5 of the Best Hotels near NDSM
• The Best Hotels near Artis Zoo
• 6 of the Best Hotels near Dam Square
• 6 of the Best Hotels near the Vondelpark
• Best Amsterdam Hotels with Hot Tubs
• Amsterdam Hotels with Balconies
• Amsterdam Hotels with Parking
• Top Amsterdam Hotels with Suites

When it comes to world-class museums, Amsterdam brims with possibilities. Tour the exceptional Rijksmuseum, the iconic Van Gogh Museum, or the avant-garde NDSM district whilst you’re in the city. The NEMO Science Museum is great fun for families, whilst heritage aficionados will adore guided walking tours of the city’s cobbled squares, Grachtengordel's elegant Golden Age townhouses and the repurposed industrial buildings which line some of the canals offer an insight into the Dutch capital’s rich trading past.

Dot between districts by bicycle or ferry, cruise along the canals which thread their way through the city, or pick a perch in one of the café which spill out onto the street, savouring a coffee and a pastry whilst people-watching. Foodie hotspots such as the Foodhallen or De Pijp are wonderful, and the city is bursting with trendy bars, gourmet eateries and live music venues. Exhibitions and events abound in pop-up spaces, historic halls and verdant city parks throughout the year. The best places to stay in Amsterdam fill up particularly fast during the summer months, so book your room well in advance!

The Best Places to Stay in Amsterdam

In AMSTERDAM CENTRUM

• Just minutes from Centraal Station, the De Witt Hotel is a stylish, 274 room hotel that occupies two neighbouring 17th century buildings. Our picks for the best rooms are those where you can still see the wooden beams and slight discrepancies in the old buildings, but it’s all beautifully painted and decorated in an elegant, contemporary style, in monochrome, but with splashes of Delft Blue. A great choice for design lovers.
• The Hotel Twenty Seven is just as close, on Dam Square, but it’s very different. Firstly it’s small, with just 16 huge individually designed suites, and secondly the decor is opulent to regal, with a palette of golds and reds. Some of the suites have living space to rival many houses, and most have incredible city views. Exclusive and decadent.
• Art’Otel just might be the closest hotel to the station, it’s the elegant corner building across the road. Inside the look changes dramatically though, because these 107 rooms and suites, and public spaces, are a sort of hotel gallery, with minimalist decor to make the most of the art on display, Trendy, with an excellent restaurant and spa.
• For great value in Amsterdam Centrum try the Max Brown Hotel, a collection of 34 rooms and suites right on the Herengracht Canal close to Centraal Station. There are two kinds of rooms, contemporary monochrome and contemporary rustic-chic. The best ones have wonderful views. There’s no restaurant, but there is a bar and they offer breakfast.

In the CANAL BELT

While staying in the Canal Belt it’s particularly easy to use the 24hour hop-on hop-off boat ticket, or rent a pedalo-style ‘canal bike’, to get yourself around.

• The epitome of quirky elegance, the Seven One Seven Hotel has been converted from a 17th century sugar-trader’s residence right on the Prinsengracht. There are just 12 rooms and suites, in a range of sizes, from attic to entertaining level, but all are beautifully, individually decorated. This is also a great place for families, they really look after you at breakfast, and the sitting room is a lovely place to relax of an evening.
• Converted from another of Amsterdam’s 17th century canal houses, Canal House is very contemporary on the inside, with just 23 rooms and suites, decorated in Old Dutch Master’s colours, but in a modern manner, with tiled, in-room baths, purple rugs and throws and a black on black bar.
• The Pulitzer Amsterdam’s 225 rooms and suites, which range from good to huge family-apartment sized, are arranged through 25 different but interlinked canal houses, quite a feat, considering the buildings were built during the 17th and 18th centuries and are all different. The result is a fantastic range of accommodation in a great city central location. Some of the rooms have more of a modern feel, while some are very traditional, with some wonderful original features. The restaurant is good too.
• The Hoxton is a chic hotel in a central spot right on the Herengracht Canal. The exterior is grand and elegant, in a traditionally Amsterdam manner, but inside it’s as chic as Amsterdam can be, with retro decor, parquet floors, wood panelling, clever bathrooms, great details and lots of lovely original features. There are 111 rooms, so there’s quite a bit of choice, and great facilities, including a whole fleet of hotel rental bikes, a lively bar and a very good restaurant. It’s also excellent value considering the style and location.

For a city break

• The Hotel V Nesplein has the sort of beautiful retro-industrial design that appeals to many, and its cosy bar and buzzy restaurant are popular with residents as well as visitors. There are 42 rooms, and while you’re very centrally located, they’re also very quiet, because you’re off a side street.
• The Ambassade Hotel is a very clever conversion of ten, mostly 17th century canal houses on the Herengracht, which now offers 58 rooms and suites. The decor is a sound mix of the original features, mostly Louis XVI style, with antiques to match, and modern art. There’s fine dining in the brasserie and drinks in the library.
• Closer to the museum end of town than the station, and to the Albert Cuyp Market, the Hotel V. Frederiksplein is a stylish, affordable base for exploring the city. This is the sort of hotel where the aim is to help you experience as much of the city as you want to, with the help of hotel bikes and great local insight from the helpful staff. There are 48 rooms, which are compact but very comfortable, and there’s a spacious bar-lounge with a big open fire when needed.
• If you like staying in small hotels the Hotel Dwars might be the Amsterdam city break choice for you. It’s central, located on the vibrant Utrechsestraat, and has just nine rooms, styled with vintage furnishings and some fantastic original features, including incredible beamed ceilings in some rooms. The larger triple rooms will suit some families too.

The Best Hotels for The Art Museums

Spend a day (or two) in the Museumkwartier to marvel at old masters in the Rijksmuseum, the genius of Van Gogh in the Van Gogh Museum, Mondrian, Matisse and other moderns in the Stedelijk Museum and 21st-century street art at MOCO. Then Stroll through the Jewish Quarter to peek into Rembrandt's home life at the Museum het Rembrandthuis

• The College Hotel is a small boutique hotel in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, close to the Albert Cuypmarket, the fashion district, and the Museumkwartier. We like it because it’s quite spacious and quiet, and its 40 rooms and suites are of a generous size, and all individually decorated — this building spent the 19th century as a school, and some of the rooms were classrooms, which is why they’re so big and get so much light. The restaurant is also highly regarded, and is located in the school’s old gymnasium.
• Occupying an elegant townhouse, the Hotel Roemer is a 37 room hotel on the other side of the museums, close to the Canal Belt and the Vondelpark. Simple and individually decorated, these rooms are none the less stylish, with well chosen furniture, and there’s a hidden, private garden and a roaring fire in the lounge when it’s most welcome.
• The Conservatorium is a gorgeous design hotel with 129 rooms and suites and lots and lots of glass. The location, right by the Vondelpark, is very convenient for the art museums, and, because of the natural cross over between art and design, we think this is a sound recommendation for art lovers too. Especially those who appreciate a bit of space, for there are some great sized rooms here, with some fantastic views. The outside of the building will surprise you from this description, it’s very traditional.
• The Hotel JL No76 is another contemporary design offering, in a great location for the museums and galleries. It has just 39 rooms, decorated simply, in neutral shades, but with a different added something in each of them; it might be a cushioned leather wall, or mosaic, of it might be a piece of art or a striking sculpture. There’s more of these design objects in the public spaces, which include a lively restaurant. This is a good choice for families too.

For a romantic stay

• The Dylan is a small, chic hotel on the Keizersgracht, with beautiful contemporary design, that really complements the wonderful canal-side building. The 40 rooms and suites are well proportioned, and there’s a romantic brasserie-bar and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
• The Hotel De L’Europe is your classically elegant-to-the-verge-of-opulent, five star hotel on a corner of the canal, so the majority of the 111 rooms and suites are gorgeous, AND have canal views. There’s an excellent spa, and a choice of restaurants, again, the majority with canal views, and one with a Michelin star.

Hip Places to Stay in Amsterdam

• The Andaz Amsterdam is a spectacular, five star, boutique-style hotel with individually, designed rooms, suites and public spaces - think chandeliers, murals, plenty of gold, giant bespoke printed rugs featuring Delftware designs, quilted plastic chairs, contemporary stained glass windows and canal side views.

For great value

• Misc is a carefully renovated 17th century canal house, close to Nieuwmarkt, a fashionable district. It has just six rooms, all personally styled, and with their own personalities, but all with well collected antiques, retro treasures and curios. Perfect for peace and privacy.

For an apartment or holiday house

• For a self-catering spot, we recommend visiting our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, well-connected to the city by public transport. Hop aboard the airport train into the city centre, or catch the train to Amsterdam from hubs across Europe. Alternatively, most hotels will be happy to arrange an airport pick up in advance.
• Though you won't need a car within Amsterdam, the Netherlands is great for exploring with the freedom of your own transport! If you would like to hire a car, we suggest that you contact our online partner Rentalcars.
• Travel during the summer for temperatures ranging between 11 and 23ºC, although this is the busiest time of year. The spring (April - May) or autumn (September - October) are ideal for those seeking fewer crowds and great hotel offers. Expect huge numbers of visitors for Pride in late July and early August; book your room well in advance!

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to explore our list of the best places to stay in Haarlem. 
• Alternatively, see our pick of all the best places to stay in the Netherlands. 
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.