http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32660 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32660 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30094 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30094 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25619 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25619 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24886 You feel at home and taken care of, as the super friendly staff asks you every day how you are doing and really look after you.
The rooms were very social, we met heaps of great people.
I will definitely head back to this place!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24886 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24393
Our friends in Amsterdam recommended an apartment not far from were they live: Prince Martin on the Prinsengracht or, easier to pronounce, Princes Canal. The location was great and not only because it was so conveniently located in relation to our friends. The apartment is close to the 'nine little streets' (9-straatjes) a cute shopping area with great boutique shops and also not far from Dam Square: the centre of Amsterdam.

We were greeted by a hostess who showed us round the apartment and also gave us lots of useful information about Amsterdam. We were also very charmed by the beautiful welcome pack which contained tea, coffee, nuts, cereal, wine etc. We felt very spoiled and very welcome.

Must do's in the nine little streets:
- Shop at Butler's on the "Runstraat": a small but great shop in bath, bed and table stuff
- Have lunch at Mocha on the "Berenstraat"
- FOAM on the Keizersgracht: photograph museum]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24393 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23159
Downsides? Some people might find the canalside rooms a little noisy - if so, then ask for a garden room. And the stairs are very steep and narrow, but this is a traditional Amsterdam house and that's the way they work. I can't comment on the breakfast as I was leaving too early in the morning, but if the plate of fruit, bread and local cheese that was left in my room was any guide, I'm guessing it would be better than acceptable.

Getting here from the airport - unless you're laden down with luggage, don't waste money on a taxi. Fast train is 20 minutes and a few euros, the walk from Dam Square to the hotel is interesting and takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Note that although the hotel is on the edge of the red light area, you need never know it, and the Niewmarket square which it sits on is great for a couple of beers and a spot of peoplewatching. Plenty of cafes and restaurants around too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23159 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23114
Rated 9.1 at www.hotels.com, and excellent also in www.tripadvisor.com and www.holidaycheck.de At last a modern well organized place in Amsterdam.

Excellent east/west style cuisine, nice bar. What else you want? We had free internet, executive floor, Nespresso machine in the room, sprinkler system, the best breakfast, bathrobes, slippers, fruits, covered parking, a canal boat in front, Tram transport next to the hotel - and just 20 minutes from the airport and five minutes from central station.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23114 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22884 www.hoteltoren.com. Great place. Very charming and family run (which we like). This time around we rented an apartment through www.apartments-for-rent.com/amsterdam.
We booked an apartment in the Jordaan area on the Prinsencanal. We were very lucky to meet some young guys the first day we arrived. They run a small boat rental business called www.boothurenamsterdam.com (which translates into boat rental amsterdam) The guys who run it are amazing and give us a whole list of fun things to do in the neighbourhood. We did not leave the Jordaan area except for a brunch at the www.bakkerswinkel.nl in the Westerpark.
The boat rebtal guys suggested little Amsterdam gems like www.tazzina.nl and www.cinemaparadiso.info/]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22884 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22769 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22769 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20426 Cosmos is two blocks from the red light district and close to everything else.
There's a nice coffee shop (El Guapo) right across the alleyway.
This is my favorite hostel.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20426 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20348
I would definitely recommend it - but be careful walking up the steep stairs up front if you've been enjoying a little too much of what Amsterdam has to offer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20297
They ended up letting us stay for a few more hours longer on our last day as our flight was quite late - thanks guys. Simba the cat was awesome too! It's in a really awesome spot too, close to the train station, and just on the edge of the red light district.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20297 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20024 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20024 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19562 It’s among some lively coffeeshops and bars or is just a few hundred metres from the Van Gogh and Modern Art Museums for something more cultural!
Accommodation is cheap and includes breakfast and internet.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19562 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19052 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19052 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18022
The room space is above average for the price and the beds are massive and comfy. The pod is like a four poster bed with a wetroom and stools attached at either end. It lodges in the World Trade Centre and so there are cafes etc in the building for breakfast and cyclist watching.

The women all seem to turn up for work in black high heel boots, cycling, of course, and the men struggle to steer and hold their briefcases at the same time. They then disappear underground on a moving walk way to park their bikes. Dutch transport efficiency at its best.

Anyway, it's well linked to Schipol airport (train) and to Centraal on number 5 line tram, all in the same station Zuid. Very good value for money and pleasant escape from the city rush.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18022 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15963
Knowing that we would be having early nights in our hotel room, we upgraded to a room "with a view", using money saved from not using evening entertainment or so many museum admissions.

Our room overlooked on of the ubiquitous squares and we spent evenings eating a rather nice room service menu people watching.

It may not sound exciting,but we loved it and kept sane at the same timeR with no worries regarding baby sitting services.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15963 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15957
Marvel at the Dutch way of designing cities, take a guided tour & weep for the UK.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15957 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15950 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15950