Cheapest Bad in Town?

millweed · Post by **millweed** » Wed 18th Nov 2009 08:47 pm

bac you are spot on,turns out it's 40 euros per night,what a tosspot i am. although it did say 60 on the web site.

BacSi · Post by **BacSi** » Thu 19th Nov 2009 02:27 pm

Millweed, it is a highly reviewed hotel that you have booked.

But over the last few years my thnking on AMS hotels has evolved. When I started to go the exchange rate was way in my favor. So I was getting 1 and 2 star hotels for a great deal. If the rate was 35 euros I was staying for maybe $25 USD. It was great.

Sure the steps were steep. The rooms were tiny. The bed even smaller. And the TV if there was one small also. But its a little like running a long race. You are prepared for what is ahead.

But the big changes have been 2.

First there is the exchange rate. That 35 euro hotel is now a reasonable 40 euros but it now cost me at least $60 USD a night. A big change from $25 a night a few years back. What was once a great bargain at one time looks less so today.

And then there is priceline. All through this summer we saw people wining 4 star hotels for $63-68 USD a night (plus about $10 in tax and fee)

Considering the fact that that same hotel room was going for over $200 a night (and sometimes a lot more) if booked directly those PL wins looked better and better.

And boy does a stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel double room spoil you for the future.

My last trip I stayed in a 4 and a 5 for a week each. Much much much bigger rooms. Very nice and large beds. Flat screen TV. A lift. Nice showers with loads of freebies.

And I was paying about $20 more a night than what a 2 star single would have cost me.

Of course no free breakfast.

As long as the exchange rate is bad for me and as long as I can score a 4 star via PL for under $85 as a wining bid I do not think I could ever go back to those 1 and 2 stars.

Its just something to think about for your next trip.

But in the end its your trip and your money.

millweed · Post by **millweed** » Thu 19th Nov 2009 04:16 pm

yes mate i will take that on board.
Oh well we'll see,i'll give an honest report when i get back.
It does appear that the single rooms are up top but i'll get by

cheers

BacSi · Post by **BacSi** » Thu 19th Nov 2009 04:44 pm

Unless you are a real heavy sleeper try and get a room at the back. The street noise on that street is moderately intense. Both late into the night and early in the morning.

I found that an issue when I stayed virtually next door to your hotel.

Some may not be bothered but I sure was.

millweed · Post by **millweed** » Fri 20th Nov 2009 02:52 pm

oh i'll be sleeping heavy mate,believe me

bongskillz · Post by **bongskillz** » Sun 23rd May 2010 07:24 pm

I found the apartments at bob's youth hostel were pretty sweet for 80/90 TOTAL euros a night depending if you are 2/3 people.. so it works out to 40 euros each if you are 2, or 30 euros EACH if you're 3...

They are located just behind bobs hostel across the road from abraxas and above the magic valley smart shop (so about 2 min walk to either grey area, amnesia or hgf) ... you have to share a main entrance hall where there is a kitchen and bathroom with one other apartment, which wasn't a big deal for us...

They are nothing like the apartments from amsterdamescape.com but for the price and location they are my current pick of choice...

echc1 · Post by **echc1** » Mon 24th May 2010 11:08 am

another option,if you're lucky is to find the MPS amsterdam in the oosterdok,near the nemo building...double cabin(small and bunks) is about 30 euro/cabin with breakfast....haven't been there in a while but was cheap,clean and safe....there is even a 4 berth cabin too...no luxury but adequate for sleep and bag storage....only downside is no toking onboard and cigarettes only on deck ...can't give anymore details as it's an old pamphlet i'm reading from,but i do know they are not there in the summer months as the boat cruises around the north islands during those months...good luck

matty223 · Post by **matty223** » Mon 24th May 2010 01:04 pm

i dont know what your budget is but i pais only $65.00 before tax for the NH Amsterdam Centre for 3 nights sept 21-24, total for the 3 nights $229.32 , to me thats a deal in a half

Mindraker · Post by **Mindraker** » Thu 1st Jul 2010 02:04 pm

Hotel Tamara.

Very cheap considering the place (In the middle of central amsterdam, few meters from burger bar and 420) Ran by this great older englishman fellow, who is about 24/7 stoned but a nice man indeed. The rooms are a bit soviet in style, not too bright and awfully couloured, but they are clean for what its worth! Most rooms dont have a shower, but sharing is caring ^^ Been there twice now, with the missus and going again in august. Not the best hotel in town but very cheap on a very very nice spot. Cost about 400e for 7 nights and 2 people. So less than 40e a night per person.

egone · Post by **egone** » Tue 6th Jul 2010 11:56 am

Mindraker wrote:Hotel Tamara.

Very cheap considering the place (In the middle of central amsterdam, few meters from burger bar and 420) Ran by this great older englishman fellow, who is about 24/7 stoned but a nice man indeed. The rooms are a bit soviet in style, not too bright and awfully couloured, but they are clean for what its worth! Most rooms dont have a shower, but sharing is caring ^^ Been there twice now, with the missus and going again in august. Not the best hotel in town but very cheap on a very very nice spot. Cost about 400e for 7 nights and 2 people. So less than 40e a night per person.

Ridiculously cheap, considering the location.

Kiitos.

Any chance of smoking in the hotel room btw? Or is that strictly a no-no?

Mindraker · Post by **Mindraker** » Tue 6th Jul 2010 11:59 am

egone wrote:
Mindraker wrote:Hotel Tamara.

Very cheap considering the place (In the middle of central amsterdam, few meters from burger bar and 420) Ran by this great older englishman fellow, who is about 24/7 stoned but a nice man indeed. The rooms are a bit soviet in style, not too bright and awfully couloured, but they are clean for what its worth! Most rooms dont have a shower, but sharing is caring ^^ Been there twice now, with the missus and going again in august. Not the best hotel in town but very cheap on a very very nice spot. Cost about 400e for 7 nights and 2 people. So less than 40e a night per person.
Ridiculously cheap, considering the location.

Kiitos.

Any chance of smoking in the hotel room btw? Or is that strictly a no-no?

The owner said. "You can smoke, just not from the windows on the street side". Never seen a street side window there, so it's all good

the owner himself seems to be 24/7 stoned anyways, so can't see that the rule wouldve been changed. Havent been there for a couple of years though, so hoping that it will be still the same. A friend was there in february though, and said you still were allowed to smoke there.

egone · Post by **egone** » Tue 6th Jul 2010 12:08 pm

Perfect.

Iko · Post by **Iko** » Tue 6th Jul 2010 04:24 pm

As noted above www.priceline.com is your friend, learn to love her

.
Even if you "want"

to stay in a 2 star hotel, use priceline to save you an easy 30+% .
As Kramer from Seinfeld says " Retail is for SUCKERS ".