Home Where To Stay Cheap Hotels in Amsterdam City Center

Cheap Hotels in Amsterdam City Center

by Maja Świątnicka

Amsterdam is probably one of the most expensive European cities when it comes to accommodation. Hotel prices have been skyrocketing and it’s quite difficult to find a decent place to stay at a reasonable price in the very center of the city. This is why many travelers choose to stay outside the city center. However, finding a cheap hotel in Amsterdam city center is possible. As promised some time ago, I’ve prepared a list of 15 hotels with a perfect location that will not drain your wallet. The cheapest ones cost as little as hubEuro! All of them are ok when it comes to standard and customer service. You’re welcome!

CityHub Amsterdam

???? Prices start at €90 per double room
???? Bellamystraat 3, Oud-West, 1053 BE Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 895 0907
????1.9 km from city center

Photo Courtesy of the CityHub Amsterdam

CityHub Amsterdam has been one of the trendiest social spots in the whole city. It’s a brand new type of a hotel – a combination of a hotel and a hostel. It consists of fifty cabins called Hubs. Each cabin has a double bed, an iPod docking station, WiFi and an app-controlled lightning. There is also a personal audio streaming system in each Hub. The mobile app in each cabin enables guests to control the Hub and communicate with others. There is also an on-site self-service bar where guests can make their own drinks. The hotel is located next to Amsterdam’s De Hallen. The Foodhallen are just around the corner, Ten Kate Market is not even 100 meters away. You can also get Vondelpark in 10-15 minutes on foot. If you want to get to Schiphol airport, it’s not even 30 minutes by car.

Photo Courtesy of the CityHub Amsterdam

Passengership Avanti

???? Prices start at €90 per double room
???? Oosterdok Steiger 3, Amsterdam City Centre, 1011 VX Amsterdam, Netherlands –
Phone: +31 628652430
????1.3  km from city center

Photo Courtesy of Passengership Avanti
Photo Courtesy of Passengership Avanti

Ready for a boat adventure? If you want to visit Amsterdam and spend some cool time on the water at the same time, you might be interested in Passengership Avanti.  The boat is located in the center of the city, on the Oosterdok, in the Nautisch Kwartier. It’s just a 10-minute walk from Central Station. Nemo Science Museum is just opposite the boat. From this location, you can easily reach many attractions of the city, such as the canals the Rembrandt Square, the Artis Zoo and Waterloo. Many facilities like a post office, supermarket, and bike rentals are very close too. The accommodation is quite functional, clean and comfortable. The cabins are authentically decorated with wooden bunk beds and there’s free WiFi. There is also a wardrobe space and a traditional porthole. The porthole faces the dock and the water which is really cool. There are three toilets and four showers in the hallway. If you have always dreamt about spending some chilling time on the water, but at the same time you’re a city-center-person, this might be the best option for you.


Quentin England Hotel

???? Prices start at €75 per double room
???? Roemer Visscherstraat 30, Oud-West, 1054 EZ Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 689 2323
????1.7 km from city center

Photo Courtesy of Quentin England Hotel
Photo Courtesy of Quentin England Hotel

Part of the famous Quentin chain. Quentin England Hotel is located just opposite the Vondelpark, near to all Amsterdam highlights. You can reach Leidseplein on foot in less than 5 minutes. The hotel is in the city center, but the Roemer Vissherstraat is a quiet street so this is one of the top choices if you want to have a good night sleep. The building dates back to the 18th century (as a part of the famous United Europe buildings – seven houses being examples of typical building style from seven European countries), it was fully renovated in 2012. It is designed in a classic style, most of the rooms have panoramic views of the canal. There are rooms of various sizes for 1-4 persons. There is a free buffet breakfast provided every day. Good info for smokers – the hotel is not 100% no-smoke. There is a courtyard where guests may relish their cigarettes.


ITC Hotel

???? Prices start at €100 per double room
???? Prinsengracht 1051, Amsterdam City Centre, 1017 JE Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 623 0230
????1.2km from city center

Photo Courtesy of ITC Hotel
Photo Courtesy of ITC Hotel

Considering the price and location, the hotel is okay. It’s a quick walk away from Skinny Bridge and around 7 minutes on foot from Rembrandt Square. The Red Light District is really close too. The building dates back to the 18th century, it was opened in 1750 and it features a royal architecture.  ITC Hotel is quite comfortable. It’s a 2-star hotel with 20 rooms, some of them are big enough to accommodate a whole family. Each room has views of Prinsengracht Canal. There are amenities like free WiFi, satellite TV etc. Nothing above average, but it’s decent for the amount it costs. There is quite a nice lounge/bar and breakfast buffet served daily. In my opinion, ITC Hotel is a very good mix of comfort, value and convenience. The hotel offers an airport shuttle service and a doctor on call. You can get to the airport (Schiphol) in as little as 20 minutes (by car or using public transport).


Quentin Arrive Hotel

???? Prices start at €84 per double room
???? Haarlemmerstraat 65, Amsterdam City Centre, 1013 EL Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 622 1439
????800m from city center

Photo Courtesy of Quentin Arrive Hotel
Photo Courtesy of Quentin Arrive Hotel

Historic street, romantic charm, a unique atmosphere, this is what you get while choosing Quentin Arrive hotel.  The hotel is located in a 19th-century building. It offers rooms for 2-4 persons. The hotel is situated in a historic street, right a 5-minute walk from Central Station. It’s actually 500 meters from all the city center attractions. You can easily get the Haarlemstraat and Westindisch from here. Also, the Jordaan district is a 5-minute walk away. The Martelaarsgracht is a 5-minute walk. You have great access to the Museumplein and Leidseplein. In my opinion, Quentin Arrive Hotel is a perfect place for those who want to get the most out of the city center. The hotel has a 24-hour reception. There is also a hotel restaurant – it serves a typical Dutch breakfast. On top of that, there are various restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area.


Hotel Washington

???? Prices start at €90 per double room
???? Frans van Mierisstraat 10, Oud Zuid, 1071 RS Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 679 7453
????2.1 km from city center

Photo Courtesy of Hotel Washington

Hotel Washington was formerly a family house. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s situated in the Museum Quarter, in the city center, but at the same time a very quiet and cultural area. There are beautiful big trees around, the atmosphere is incredibly relaxed, there are a good restaurant and an excellent bakery nearby. You enter through a lovely, old-fashioned lobby, then the steep staircase leads to the rooms. It kind of feels like you are visiting your grandparents – there are high ceilings, the beds are outdated, there are also old wardrobes in bigger rooms. From the hotel, you can quickly get to the nearby Concert Hall. The airport is around 30 minutes away (if you’re using public transport) and Central Station is around 20 minutes away. You can get to Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum in 7 minutes on foot, Leidseplein and Vondelpark are 15 minutes away. What’s worth mentioning, the hotel has amazing customer service. The staff is hospitable and committed and the atmosphere is really comfortable.


Hotel Torenzicht

???? Prices start at €95 per double room
???? Oudezijds Achterburgwal 93, Amsterdam City Centre, 1012 DD Amsterdam, Netherlands  
Phone: +31 20 623 2900
????400m from city center

Photo Courtesy of Hotel Torenzicht

The hotel is located in the very center of the city. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Dam Square, right in the Red Light District. The location is the hotel’s main unique selling point. Central Station is around 5 minutes away. It’s a nice-looking, historic building with very steep, high stairs. Even if it’s a 1-star hotel, it’s really cozy and decently furnished. To me, it looks like a typical Dutch canalside building. If you are crazy about privacy, be aware that the hotel has shared bathrooms. They are located in the hallway. However, each room has a washbasin with cold and hot running water. There is also a 24-hour bar for those who do not want to stop the party in the middle of the night. If you don’t like the bar, no worries. The hotel is located in the middle of the living area, there are tens of clubs, bars, coffee shops, there are even sex clubs and infamous windows nearby. Moulin Rouge, the Marijuana Museum and The Bananenbar are also within a walking distance.


De Mallemoolen

???? Prices start at €90 per double room
???? Warmoesstraat 7, Amsterdam City Centre, 1012 HT Amsterdam, Netherlands   
Phone: +31 20 535 3222
????600m from city center

Photo Courtesy of De Mallemoolen

If you’re searching for budget accommodation in the city center, right a 5-minute walk from Central Station, this is absolutely your place to stay at. De Mallemoolen is located on the edge of the Warmoesstraat, close to the various bars, restaurants, and shops. You can easily (and quickly) get to the Red Light District and the Dam square and Old Church. The airport is approximately 20 minutes away (drive). De Mallenmoolen is a monumental building. The rooms are rather basic in style, it’s definitely a budget accommodation. There are 13 rooms with heating, multi-channel TV and a dressing room. The bathrooms are mostly shared, located in the hallway and the reception is situated in the adjacent hotel – De Koopermoolen (this is also where the breakfast is served). What I don’t like is that there is no elevator, so make sure you’re prepared for the typical Dutch steep stairs.


Budget Hotel Ben

???? Prices start at €80 per double room
???? Beursstraat 21, Amsterdam City Centre, 1012 JT Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 330 1401
????350m from city center

Photo Courtesy of Budget Hotel Ben

Staying 350 meters from the Dam Square at a reasonable price is possible! If you stay at Budget Hotel Ben, you’re just stones away from the Central Station and Dam Square. he hotel is situated 5 minutes from Central Station (on foot!). There’s also a great a connection with the Schiphol airport. Budget Hotel Ben is situated right in the Red Light District. It has 25 rooms, with a 24-hour front desk. The staff is more than friendly which is a great plus. The exterior may be a bit disappointing and rooms are quite small. However, they’re clean and a toilet is private. Beds are just camper beds with a little more padding, but it’s okay for the price you’ll pay. Nearby, there’s a bar adjacent to the hotel – Burger Bar. There’s also a storage for your belongings. And the good thing is that you can arrange Amsterdam tours by the 24-hours reception desk.


Hotel Ben Center

???? Prices start at €90 per double room
???? 7 Beursstraat, Amsterdam City Centre, 1012 JT Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 330 1401
????400m from city center

Photo Courtesy of Hotel Ben Center

The hotel is situated right in the heart of the city center which is a great plus. It’s located about 500 meters from Basilica of St. Nicholas. The hotel is close to the most popular Amsterdam’s landmarks like Dam Square (5 minutes) and Central Station. You can get to Royal Palace in 6 minutes on foot and to Amsterdam Museum in 11 minutes. If you want to go to the airport (Schiphol) it’s approximately a 19-minute drive. The hotel is a historic building with traditional Dutch steep stairways. It features views if the city. It offers a 24-hour desk and luggage storage service. The rooms are suitable for 2,3,4 or 5 persons. The rooms are clean and basic and they all have private facilities – toilet and shower. If you’re looking for a relatively cheap, simple and clean location, Hotel Ben Center may be your place to stay at while in Amsterdam.


Quentin Golden Bear Hotel

???? Prices start at €100 per double room
???? Kerkstraat 37, Amsterdam City Centre, 1017 GB Amsterdam, Netherlands   
Phone: +31 20 624 4785
????1km from city center

Photo Courtesy of Quentin Golden Bear Hotel
Photo Courtesy of Quentin Golden Bear Hotel

The centrally located Quentin Golden Bear Hotel is a good option for people who want to stay really close to the city center. It’s situated in the heart of the city, by famous Leidseplein, on one of the best shopping areas of Amsterdam. Joost Barbier is less than 1.2 km away and Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam is not even 2 kilometers away. There’s also a bus stop nearby. Dam/Paleisstraat tram station is 300 meters away. You can also get to Schiphol Airport in around 17 minutes by car. The Quentin Golden Bear was first opened in 1765 so the building looks astonishingly historical. The hotel was renovated this year. Most of rooms have own facilities. However, there are also budget single rooms with a shared bathroom in the hallway. All rooms have views of the city. An interesting fact: the hotel was once a part of Amsterdam’s gay scene. However, once it was taken over by the Quentin group, it’s more a tourist and backpackers spot.


Hotel Mevlana

???? Prices start at €100 per double room
????Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 160, Amsterdam City Centre, 1012 SJ Amsterdam, Netherlands  
Phone: +31 20 330 6641
????250m from city center

Photo Courtesy of Hotel Mevlana

When it comes to location, this is absolutely a number 1! The hotel is located around 200 meters from Dam Square. It’s a perfect starting point to explore the city. You can reach the most famous hotspots within minutes on foot. There is also a tram stop right in front of the hotel for those who want to explore the outer reaches of Amsterdam, besides, a metro station – Weesperplein is 20 minutes from the property. Central Library is within a 15-minute walk of the hotel, Rijksmuseum is 20 minutes away. There are 17 rooms in the hotel (they can hold up to 6 persons). They are basic but clean and cozy. They have a shared bathroom in the hallway. Smoking is forbidden in the whole property. On the other hand, Mevlana provides guests with a bicycle rental service on-site so if  you are planning an active stay in Amsterdam, Hotel Mevlana is waiting!


Budget Hotel Barbacan

???? Prices start at €110 per double room
???? Plantage Muidergracht 89, Amsterdam City Centre, 1018 TN Amsterdam, Netherlands –
Phone: +31 20 623 6241
????1.6km from city center

Photo Courtesy of Budget Hotel Barbacan

Many people consider Hotel Barbacan to be one of the nicest hotels in the city. It’s situated just perfectly – very close to the Artis Zoo, around 10 minutes walking from the Weterlooplein, Rembrandtplain and Botanical Garden. Royal Palace Amsterdam is only 1.6 km from the property. The Nieuwe Kaizersgracht tram stop is less than 100 meters away so you can easily experience most of the Amsterdam’s well-known attractions. Shiphol Airport is not even 12 kilometers away from the hotel. Budget Hotel Barbacan is a nice mix of comfort, convenience and value. It’s located in the old, royal-style building which looks really cozy. It provides guests with 24-hour front desk, tour and ticket assistance and medical service. All rooms have private facilities, some feature views of the city. There is also a nice hotel bar – Cocktails and Dreamz. Guests can eat out in one of many restaurants located within a 5-minute walk.


Aston City Hotel

???? Prices start at €90 per double room
???? Stadhouderskade 68, Oud Zuid, 1072 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands 
Phone: +31 20 577 6300
????1.7 km from city center

The hotel is located in De Pijp district, in Museum Quarter. From there, you can easily and quickly get to Heineken Experience and Rijksmuseum on foot. Reaching Van Gogh Museum, Leidseplein or Stedelijk Museum will take you around 10 minutes. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is approximately 20 minutes by car. No worries about transportation – the Stadhouderskade is only 100 meters from the doorstep. There are 5 floors with 24 simply-furnished rooms in total. All of them have private bathrooms. Buffet breakfast is served every day for free. There is also a bike rental. The hotel service includes tour/ticket assistance and luggage storage. If you’re planning to party hard in Amsterdam, make sure you’ve read the hotel’s policy. There’s no option for group events or parties, including pre-wedding bachelor and bachelorette parties. No alcohol is served at the hotel. It has its pros and cons actually – you might be sure this is a place you’ll be able to relax at.


Hotel Crown

???? Prices start at €110 per double room
???? Oudezijds Voorburgwal 21, Amsterdam City Centre, 1012 EH Amsterdam, Netherlands –
????550m from city center

The hotel is located in the very center of the city – just a 3-minute walk from the Red Light District. The Dam Square is just the same –approximately 3 minutes on foot. You can also reach Amsterdam Central Station in around 6 minutes. The New Church is around 9 minutes away and the Begijnhof is around 13 minutes away. If you want to get to the Schiphol Airport, it’s around 27 minutes. The cool thing is the metro station – Nieuwmarkt Station – is just a 5-minute walk. In direct surrounding you will find many different lunchrooms, restaurants and cafes . The hotel is just perfect for those who want to spend some time sightseeing the main surroundings of the city. Also, for those interested in architecture, walking and nightlife.  The hotel offers bike rental. Amsterdam is nothing but bikes after all, isn’t it?


Summary

As you can see, there are many cheap options to choose from if you want to stay in Amsterdam city center. Prices vary and the more expensive ones (for around 110 Euro) might not be affordable for everyone but hey, around 100 Euro for a double room in the very center of Amsterdam is still really tempting.  While traveling, I care more about the location of the hotel than about the room standard. This is why I  think most of the above-mentioned hotels are just lovely – they are located in historic buildings, often surrounded by trees. I especially love those located in quiet, calm streets, yet very close to main Amsterdam’s hotspots. Can it be any better placed to stay in Amsterdam than a beautiful hotel at an affordable price, right next to the main landmarks?

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