Visiting Amsterdam (or just about anywhere in the Netherlands, for that matter) is one of those vacations that is very easy for English speakers. Yes, you are in a foreign country that has its own language, but the natives speak English so well you may feel like you did not leave home. Well, except for the pretty canals, legal marijuana and red light district. But you know what we mean. Unfortunately, while the language barrier is virtually non-existent, finding cheap hotels in Amsterdam can make your trip planning a bit harder than you might like it to be.
This is not to say that Amsterdam is not swimming in hotels and other accommodation options. You can always find a place to sleep – whether it is a five-star luxury room or a “room” on something as quirky as a houseboat – but finding a cheap hotel in Amsterdam is going to take a bit more than just booking the first place you find. Also consider that depending on the season and day of the week, the prices can go up or down dramatically. As you might expect, weekends will cost more than weekdays and the busy summer season is more expensive than the quieter winter season. If you can arrange to visit Amsterdam mid-week during the winter, you could score a higher quality hotel at a bargain price. If, on the other hand, you are planning to visit during the high season, your best bet is to do your research and book early.
The three main areas of Amsterdam in which you will probably be looking for hotels, simply because they are not only full of hotels but also close to tourist attractions, are the neighborhoods around Centraal Station, Rembrandtplein or Leidseplein. These areas have distinct personalities, so it is important to know a little bit about the neighborhood and what is close by before you book. Also keep in mind that budget hotels in Amsterdam tend to have some things in common – while they may be perfectly clean and safe, they may not have elevators, large rooms or plush furniture.
Some budget hotels to look into in Amsterdam include the Hotel Continental (near both Centraal Station and the Red Light District), the Singel Hotel (close to Centraal Station but not too close to the Red Light District), the Hotel Ajax or Rembrandt Square Hotel near (or right on) Rembrandtplein, or the nicely-located Hotel Freeland near the Leidseplein.