Old Nickel - Amsterdam, Netherlands     

Booked the Old Nickel thru Bookiings.com, 3 nites for 180 euros total including breakfast during a busy time of year. Room was ready by 1 pm (they held my bags in the kitchen since I arrived in the morning). Room was small, as expected, but comfortable, with a sink, and TV. Request a room in the back if you are a light sleeper (I am not, and had a room on the second floor, and there was some street noise late at night). No problem with shared bath - only 4 rooms share toiled, and separate shower room - never did I have to wait at all, and the hotel was full). Bar was great at night - very friendly place. Breakfast was fair. Great value overall

We stayed at the annex which is about a block away. You have your own key and no curfew, as opposed to the main hotel which has a 4 AM limit to get back in. Also, there are no TV's in the annex rooms. No big deal. The room and shared bathrooms were both very clean. Noise was at a minimum. The only bad thing was the almost vertical stairs, which is typical for the area and not at all a surprise. I've stayed in quite a few one and two star hotel and hostels throughout Europe and can say that this place is slightly above average. I always weigh my ratings heavy on the attitude of the staff. Frank and Ellen, day and night bartender/front desk respectively, were both great. Ask Frank about sports and ask Ellen about vacationing in Egypt. You will get some great conversation along with your beer. The few minute walk from the train station can't be beat either.