Conscious Hotel Museum Square - Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Super value
Posted: Mon, Jun 23 2008
This really is a good hotel. It looks quite expensive, but first Amsterdam hotels are expensive generally and second it's worth every cent. Just as the other reviewers, I was amazed at how friendly the staff were, it feels like a real family hotel. And we got free coffee on arrival, too. The room is spacious, quiet in spite of the trams outside and clean. It's nice that the minibar is just a fridge for stuff you buy yourself (and of course you're told where to buy stuff the minute you just think of it) and not a load of overpriced drinks you don't want. It's not smack in the centre, but that's probably a good thing. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are just ten minutes' walk away, and Leidseplein (for the nightlife and restaurants) only twenty, and of course you can take the tram. The neighbourhood is nice and quiet, with more than a few cafes and a convenience store: look for the AH logo near the entrance to the underground parking on van Baerlestraat near the Van Gogh Museum. For shoppers, PC Hooftstraat is just ten minutes' walk away. Transportation tips: if this is your first time in Amsterdam, your best bet from Schiphol is the airport shuttle minibus: look for the green Connexxion shuttle and ask the driver where to buy tickets. If you feel comfortable with Amsterdam's public transport, it is faster (and much cheaper) to take the train to Amsterdam-Zuid (there are loads) and then tram 5 to Concertgebouw, rather than going all the way to the Central Station.

PI
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 2008
Turned out to be an inspired choice; you get good location, great service and very nice rooms for not too much money. And it's the small things that make the difference, like the refrigerator being just an empty refrigerator rather than stuffed with expensive stuff and unfit to use for your own things. It's quite a walk from the city centre (but close to the museums and tolerably close to Leidseplein for the nightlife and food), but the tram system is excellent. Overall a very pleasant experience, would stay again.