Family Travel Forum - Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sleeps & Eats

$$$$	= Over $500/N
$$$	= $300-500/N
$$	= $200-300/N
$	= $100-200/N

The friendly city of Amsterdam has many lodging and dining options for traveling families.

In this city of canals, a houseboat provides a unique family "home" with privacy and room to roam.

Amsterdam House
's Gravelandseveer 3-4, 1011 KM Amsterdam
+31 (0) 20 626 2577 or +31 (0) 20 624 6607 or 800/618-1008
A service that offers families furnished apartments and fully-equipped floating homes-away-from-home. The houseboats we visited had great canal views, spacious living rooms, small kitchens and pretty small bedrooms (though single bedrooms can sleep 4-5 if the kids fit on couches.)
Rates:2BR houseboats start at $225 including phone, TV, linens and once-weekly maid service. Request photos and bargain on the quoted rate; prices sometimes rise 35-40% in the high season. $$

Amstel Botel
Oosterdokskade 2-4, 1011 AE Amsterdam
31 (0) 20 521 0350
Turn left as you exit Central Station and in 15 minutes you'll arrive at the gangplank of this slick, modern, 176-cabin floating hotel. It actually does feel like a boat, with the ship-shape rooms facing the canal our favorites. White formica, compact triple rooms (bunk beds and lower single) will please novice sailors, if not romantics!
Rates: $; kids <4 free.

A canal-side hotel is the next best thing to being afloat.
Ambassade Hotel
Herengracht 341, 1016 AZ Amsterdam
+31 (0) 20 555 0222
At one of the city's most elegant addresses, the deluxe, full service Ambassade comprises 59 rooms crafted from 10 adjoining canal houses. It's quietly stylish, yet casual and friendly -- the kind of place that brings out the best in children. The Ambassade accommodates families with baby cots (cribs), nanny service (although you must make reservations at least 24 hours in advance), and sitting room sofas that become beds. A large apartment with kitchen and a 2BR suite are also available.
Rates: $$ double; $$$ suite.

Canal House Hotel
Keizersgracht 148, 1015 CX Amsterdam
+31 (0) 20 555 0222
Hosts Brian and Mary Bennett have converted an imposing 17th-century canal house near the Anne Frankhuis into 26 uniquely furnished, high-ceilinged rooms. There's a lot of heavy oak furniture, some lace and knickknacks, a few antiques, velvet tablecloths... You get the picture. It's eclectic, delightful, and well-priced. There are no specifically child-friendly facilities, but a triple room could be suitable for a family with older children.
Rates: $$-$$$ for a triple, breakfast included

Hotel Seven Bridges
Reguliersgracht 31, 1017 LK Amsterdam
+31 (0) 20 623 1329
In a classy residential neighborhood within a short walk of the museums, is this bright, attentively-decorated, eight-room, three-apartment hotel placed in a 300 year old authentic canal house. Rooms are unique, some in the attic, some off the parlor, all with private bath, and they share a pleasing blend of reproduction antique furniture, Impressionist posters, a little lace and carpeting. The only drawback is that the steps are steep and narrow and there is no elevator.
Rates: $-$$ for 2-4 people, including breakfast served in room (except for apartments)

Hotel Prinsenhof
Prinsengracht 810, 1017 J Amsterdam
+31 (0) 20 623 1772
This 18th-century canal house is a simpler choice close to Rembrandtsplein. Though a bit off the sightseeing path, the young, hip neighborhood is filled with inexpensive ethnic restaurants. The canal house itself is a bit funky, with steep creaking stairs and not much decor. Shared-bath rooms have their own sinks; rooms with facilities include toilets and tiny but spotless showers. The bright canal-facing rooms are the best value.
Rates: $ for 2-4, including breakfast.

Some family-friendly dining tips:

Breakfast
Fortunately, most hotels include Dutch breakfast in their rates. It's usually a wonderful day-starter of yogurt, cheeses, meats, crackers and bread, cereals and fruit.

Lunch
Throughout the day, you'll find every conceivable ethnic food as well as fast-food cafeterias. The American Hotel (+31 (0) 20 556 3000) off the Leidseplein is a turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau landmark that has been remarkably restored. What a place to stop for an expensive lunch or snack! The Café Americain dishes up an unforgettable eyeful of grandeur with continental cuisine.

Pompadour ( 31 (0) 20 623 9554) at Huidenstraat 12, our very favorite lunch stop, serves small ham and cheese tosti. Or you can break all the rules and have the Tea or Coffee Surprise that overwhelms you with cookies, pastries and ornate chocolates. It was truly a meal in itself! Gorgeous gift bonbons, such as marzipan frogs and miniature muffins, are also for sale (and export).

Dinner
Our favorite dining experience for ambiance, if not cuisine, was a stop in an old Dutch "Brown Bar." These are the smoke-stained beer halls or marijuana-stained hippie taverns (depending on whom you speak to) that the locals go to for lots of atmosphere and hearty meat n'potatoes meals. There are so many colorful 18th- and 19th-century brown bars in Amsterdam, that it's best to let a local steer you to the best one in the neighborhood. From the global palate, we enjoyed a rijjstafel, a ceremonial rice dish that originated with the Dutch colonial presence in Indonesia.

At Speciaal (+31 (0) 20 624 9706 at Nieuwe Leliestraat 140-142), it's presented by batik-clad waiters who parade by with up to 30 small portions of spicy, mild, coconut-scented, barbecued and other seasoned vegetables, fish, poultry and meats. (Fussy young eaters will find white rice and chicken on skewers.)