Weekend in Amsterdam

[driveway]

So, I know what I'm doing there, I just need to know where to stay. I checked out this thread:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ight=amsterdam

And there were votes for the Flying Pig hostel, but I'm not really sure if that's what I'm looking for.

I haven't decided yet if I want to stay at the 'party' place, or if I'd rather stay somewhere a little more grown up. Money isn't really an issue, so fire away with recommendations of any kind.

Also, if anyone knows anything awesome to do in either Istanbul or Vienna, I'm headed there too.

[Kybosh]

I have heard bad things about the Flying Pig hostel from multiple sources. It often seems that recommended hostels in the Lonely Planet books aren't all that great.

[Jimmy Stang]

We stayed here:
http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotel...am-centre.html

It was modern and clean, and pretty affordable too. Walking distance to all of the good shopping and that sort of thing. And don't forget that cafes are for coffee, and coffee shops aren't.

[robocop]

well the most reliable place, I know it sounds crappy, is the airport hotel. The airport hotel is very clean, sound insulated, has a gym and is 2 minutes walking distance to the train (which has a terminal in the airport) which is a 10-15 minute ride to the center of Amsterdam. I tried getting a hotel in the main area and everything was either way too friggin expensive or made me think I'd get robbed, raped and murdered.

[BigBrodieFan]

My friend and I went to Amsterdam for three weeks in the summer in the late 1990's and she and I rented a room at the dorms for the University of Amsterdam. It was a very common thing to do, and it was cheap. I think it was something like $70 USD a night, so $35 for each of us and there was a shower. The beds were simply mattresses on the floor and of course the rooms were extremely narrow like all of Amsterdam, but I was still glad to have fairly decent accommodations when we compared stories to other travelers we met. Hope you have a great time.

[robocop]

that's actually a great idea, I only stayed for 4 days but a dorm room would be quite an adventure.

[flylock shox]

Check out hostelbookers.com and hostelworld.com. Both provide ratings for hostels, although I prefer hostelbookers because it doesn't charge a fee.

[TylerSVT]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I have heard bad things about the Flying Pig hostel from multiple sources. It often seems that recommended hostels in the Lonely Planet books aren't all that great.

+1

I stayed at a Hostel in Korea that was recommended in a frommers like 3 star rating (out of 3) and it was a really big hole that stank like this weird rotten meat...Not cool.

[surferguy]

We stayed at the Hotel Hortus (1.5 yrs ago) it was great, double room and free eggs cooked for you in the morning. Great perk when compared to other Europe hotels and such. Was walking distance to everything - especially easy with a bike. Tram line was two blocks away.

Check it out!

Hotel Hortus

[bizaro86]

You wouldn't be able to do it on a hostel budget, but you did say money wasn't a big issue. I've heard rave reviews about the Hotel Pulitzer. It's a stretch of converted row houses alongside a canal in the old city, but it's an SPG property, so you're getting all the modern ammenities.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...propertyID=100

As for Istanbul, I recommend the Hagia Sofia, taking the ferry to the Asia side (watch for Dolphins in the Bosporus), Dolambache Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar.

In Vienna, I'd recommend going to a show at the Staatopera, eating Imperial Torte in the Hotel Imperial, and the Schonbrunn palace.

Any more specific Istanbul/Vienna questions just ask.

[icarus]

If you like to party and meet people then the Flying Pig will be a good choice. There are at least two of them, quite different from one another. I haven't stayed there but my fiancee is still friends with people she met whilst staying there for a week over two years ago and it was her favourite hostel of all her backpacking travels.

We have a good friend who works at one of the Flying Pigs, so if you've got any questions send me a PM and I can forward them on to her.

[Boblobla]

The Mrs. and I stayed at the Citizen M when we were there this summer. It is outside of the main area but it is right on the tram line to the downtown area.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

The Mrs. and I stayed at the Citizen M when we were there this summer. It is outside of the main area but it is right on the tram line to the downtown area.

I went through Schiphol Airport on my way to italy a couple years ago, overnighted at the Citizen M airport and it was pretty solid, small rooms but really good value - that new one in the city wasn't open then.

[Matata]

If you're only spending one weekend in amsterdam, modesty shouldn't influence any of your decisions.

Stay at the flying pig, sleep 4 hours a night and rock the town with reckless abandon.

[4X4]

I stayed at Flying Pig downtown and had a blast. It's clean, well run, and there's always something going on. The location is primo as well. IIRC, it's about 5 blocks from Centraal station. Just be warned, if you have no tolerance for pot smoke, it's the wrong place to stay. There is a big smoking room right at the front as well as a bong room in the basement. There is a bar on the main floor, but the only people allowed in are people that are staying at the hostel.

I'm not much of a smoker, but I stayed there anyway because of the location and the reputation.

[hkstylez]

Stay where Katie Perry is staying.

[Sainters7]

Nice, going to Istanbul, so lucky! Definitely on my bucket list. Not a place you hear about very much in terms of a tourist destination over here, I'd love to go there. To experience the culture there would be amazing, and of course all the Roman/Byzantine/Ottoman ruins. Have fun!

[lucky1]

I used priceline last year and got a room at the Hilton Amsterdam for less than $100/night for a week.....amsterdam has one of the best bus/train systems going, so dont be to afraid to get a hotel just outside of the 'old city'.....its soo easy to get around there....

[Young-Sneezy]

i stayed at the marriott, and as far as i can remember it was almost the same price as hostels...

and they have cookies at the counter.... for when you "get hungry"

[gargamel]

I stayed at the Radisson Blu. It wasn't cheap or adventurous, but it was safe, clean, fairly large for Amsterdam and in the perfect location. I wouldn't stay there for full price, but I'd definitely stay there again if I could book it for a half decent price.