Spending my money wisely when travelling is important to me. For my trip to Amsterdam I prepare by doing a little research and learn it is possible to secure great accommodations for less than $100 per night in the Oud Zuid (Old South) neighborhood. And because accommodations can take up a huge chunk in
my budget, I am happy to have identified what I consider several 3 star properties close to the center of town yet away from touristy locales where prices are higher and there is little contact with regular Dutch citizens.
I am able to exercise regularly in this neighborhood. Vondelpark, my version of New York’s Central Park, is within a hop, skip and a jump of all the hotels listed below. The Oud Zuid (Old South) is a delightful neighborhood, favored by expats, just 12 minutes and 5 tram stops from the center of town. Morning walks and fresh mint tea in Vondel Park, freshly cooked bread from small bakeries, fish from the North Sea and markets from one end of the city to the other were within my reach and can be within yours if you follow my suggestions.
WHERE TO STAY in the Oud Zuid (Old South) neighborhood
All of the hotels listed below are within walking district of Museum Square where the Rijkmuseum and Van Gogh Museums and Leidse Square are located.
Park Plaza Vondelpark Hotel – very contemporary, small and intimate with outside terraces and hotel rooms overlooking Vondelpark (31 (0) 20664 6111 www.parkplaza.com/vondelpark
Hotel Zandbergen– great location, excellent hotel staff, regular transporation to airport,rooms for families and an extra room for a snoring room mate (when available). 31(0) 020 676 9321 Willemsparkweg 205 www.hotel-zandbergen.com
Memphis Hotel – across the street from Christie’s Amsterdam with 78 rooms just the right size for making yourself at home. De Lairessestraat 87, 31 (0) 20 673 3141 www.embhotels.nl/en/memphis-hotelcom
Hilton Amsterdam – your standard fare but this is a pretty Hilton overlooking a canal with all the expected conveniences, 31 (0) 20 710 60 009 www.amsterdamsights.com/hotels/hilton.html
WHAT TO DO
Most tourist brochures make the same suggestions in Amsterdam: Anne Frank House, Museumplein (Museum Square), Het Rembranthuis (Rembrandt’s House), a canal tour with the Blue Boat Company, Bloemenmarkt (floating flower market). But if you want to understand the people and come away with a sense of Amsterdam today, visit one of Amsterdam’s many markets.
There is a market every day of the week. Each has it own flavor and can be reached via public transportation. You can decide how much you want to spend. And you can choose from fresh bread, cheese, chocolates, wild fish, prepared foods, vegetables, fruit, clothing, anything you can think of or nothing at all.
Albert Cuyp Markt is a general market. It is the largest of those I visited in the central city. Open Monday through Saturdays 9 – 5 pm (http://www.albertcuypmarkt.nl/ac_english.html)
Noordermarkt – is in an area called Jordaan, very trendy somewhat like and early Tribeca with the standard market fare of fabric, flowers, old personal goods. There are great small shops nearby on narrow streets where it is easy to get lost. http://www.jordaanmarkten.nl/noordermarkt.html
Nieuwmarkt – is i n one of the oldest areas near the Central station. Locals refer to it as Chinatown but a walk through the area reveals there are Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Brasilian restaurants in addition to Chinese. This is a small market but a very rich and diverse area. http:// www.nieuwmarkt.org
I had the very best authentic Thai food I have ever tasted which I found at a little 8 seater called Maesomjai. The cook’s name is Joy and they are located at Koningstraat, 25 open 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm daily.
Dappermarkt – This is in the east and was my favorite. It was medium size and had all of the things I have already described in the other markets. It is generally not included on lists of places of interest. The diversity of people was the greatest in this neighborhood. And the Tropenmuseum is just around the corner.
Go for the best falafel I have ever tasted. It is the last stall at the end of the market. Definitely worth the walk. http://www.dappermarkt.nl
There are more markets. But visiting Amsterdam’s markets and staying in a locally owned hotel will ensure that your understanding of the people who are today’s Dutch will be greatly improved.