Hotel Old Quarter - Amsterdam, Netherlands     

Have stayed here several times and find this to be one of the better "cheap" places to stay. The canal view is not Venice but it is nice to see the Damrak and the many trams hurtling past. Can also see Centraal Station which is only a 5 min walk. The staff are extremely helpful and the rooms are clean, although basic (no tea/coffee facilities). The free breakfast is fantastic and sets you up nicely for those long days ahead. The hotel is also only a short walk to all the main attractions i.e. red light area, Anne Frank House, Dam Square and many museums. The clientel are not your usual hen/stag parties and tend to be couples and small groups of friends. The hotel has a great restaurant for those who like basic english meals and the bar is used by locals and tourists. All are welcome and mix well. One word of warning when travelling around the city, make sure you keep your valuables safe as you hear stories of pickpockets and thieves. Not had any issues in this hotel as they check who comes and goes at all times and you have to buzzed in everytime by a staff member, and you may have to show your room key. Makes you feel secure and may be why women stay here when travelling alone or in small groups.

This hotel was OK - great location - close to Dam Square and Red Light District-superb view from our room. The Staff were brilliant - very friendly and spoke good english - they also provided us with any info we required. The room was very clean and had good heating - it also had a working TV and phone. Fresh towels daily and a nice bathroom. Its also a very safe place as you are buzzed in to access the rooms. Now the negative bits - the beds were so small it was disgusting - not even a midget would have managed to fit in the bed. I was scared to fall asleep as with one slight movement - then THIUD - id have been lying on the floor - it was like a bed out of a prison cell - the bed was even slanted so it was possible to roll off if you were not careful - i truly belive that lying in a bed of nails would have been comfier. Christ now let me tell u about the pillows - it was as if someone had battered a sheep to death and wrapped it in a case and then thrown it onto the bed - honestly i felt bits of leg poking me in the neck and some kind of hard thing finding its way down my ear canal - it was horrific - if there was a competition out there for the worst pillow in the world then this pillow would have won with flying colours - let me tell you - if there was a word beyond hideous then thats how i would describe the pillow - seriously there were patches of wool rolled up - some smooth and some hard - u will have to see for yourself to understand what im talking about - the pillow was a square - be WARNED! if this hotel had good beds and good pillows then it would be perfect for budget travelers. I hope this review helped - good luck.