this is a good hotel that is near quite a few coffeeshops. For a first time visitor to the Dam, I would choose a hotel over an apartment for the following reasons.
1. staff can give you tips on where to go, how to get there
2. room service
the downside of hotels is that 99% of them do not allow smoking. I have stayed at one that does; the A Train Hotel, but it is near Centraal Station and is a 3 star. 3 star hotels in A'dam are more like a one or two star hotel anywhere else.
for a second or thrid trip to the Dam, you could be more adventurous and stay in a short term apartment or houseboat.