Where to Stay: Amsterdam, Zaandam, Haarlem

Booking a hotel in Amsterdam is arguably the hardest part of planning your trip. Stay right in the center, and you'll pay a premium for a room the size of a shoebox. Stay too far out, and you'll spend half your vacation on a train.

But here's the secret most first-timers don't realize: Amsterdam's public transport is incredible. You can stay in a neighboring city, pay half the price for double the space, and still be walking out of Amsterdam Centraal Station in under 15-20 minutes.

Whether you're looking for a luxury suite, a cheap hostel, or a specifically smoker-friendly hotel where you can enjoy your coffeeshop purchases in peace, we've broken down the best areas and hotels for every budget. Every section includes Budget (€50–100/night), Standard (€100–180/night), and Flash (€180+/night) options.

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1. Amsterdam Centrum: The Heart of the Action

Nothing beats stepping out your door and being right in the thick of it. Centrum is compact, walkable, and packed with everything Amsterdam is known for. The trade-off is price and noise — but for a short trip, it's hard to beat.

🎒 Budget (€50–100)

• The Bulldog Hotel: One of the few genuinely smoker-friendly hotels in Amsterdam. Located in the Red Light District, it features a dedicated cannabis lounge and a Bulldog coffeeshop right downstairs. Dorms from €55.
• Hotel Internationaal: Another iconic smoker-friendly spot on Warmoesstraat. You can smoke in their historic 1928 sailor's bar.
• Voyagers Hotel & Coffeeshop: Literally next to Centraal Station. The reception is inside the coffeeshop, and yes, it's smoker-friendly (just keep the window open).
• Hotel Torenzicht: A classic Amsterdam budget stay with a 24-hour bar downstairs where you can smoke. 5 minutes from Centraal.
• Tourist Inn Hotel: Private rooms and dorms from €60 with free breakfast. Very close to Dam Square.
• White Tulip Hostel: Budget dorms in the heart of the city with a great Irish pub downstairs.
• Hotel My Home: Running since 1948 on Haarlemmerstraat. Simple, honest accommodation with breakfast included.

🧳 Standard (€100–180)

• ibis Amsterdam Centre: You cannot get closer to the trains. It’s built right on the station square. Perfect, clean, modern convenience.
• ibis Styles Amsterdam Central Station: Stylish, air-conditioned rooms about 8 minutes from Centraal.
• Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam City Hall: Quiet location near Waterlooplein. Modern rooms, free breakfast, 5 minutes on the metro to Centraal.
• Hotel CC Amsterdam: A boutique hotel spread across three canal houses with modern rooms and solid soundproofing.

💎 Flash (€180+)

• art'otel Amsterdam (Radisson): A stunning 5-star boutique hotel across from the station with incredible design and an award-winning restaurant.
• Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre: Comfortable 4-star luxury near Dam Square with a highly-rated breakfast.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal: Famous for its rooftop bar offering the best panoramic views of the city skyline. Expect €250+.
• Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky: The grand dame of Dam Square. 5-star luxury in a historic building with a stunning Winter Garden.

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2. Sloterdijk: The Fast Commuter Hub (5 Mins Away)

Sloterdijk is a transport hub just 5 minutes by train from Centraal Station. It's more business than beauty, but the hotels here are modern, extremely practical, and well-priced.

🎒 Budget / Standard

• Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station: Next to the station, free breakfast, and a designated outdoor smoking area. Unbeatable value.
• MEININGER Hotel Amsterdam City West: Hostel-style with private rooms and dorms. Great for budget travelers needing train access.
• XO Hotels Park West: Modern rooms with more space. Tram 19 runs directly outside.
• Train Lodge Amsterdam: Next to Sloterdijk. A fun, budget-friendly hostel with a communal kitchen and bar.

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3. Zaandam: The Smart Commuter's Secret (12 Mins Away)

Zaandam is a beautiful, traditional Dutch town just a 12-minute direct train ride from Amsterdam Centraal (trains run every 10 minutes). It's quieter, cheaper, and has a fantastic local restaurant scene.

🎒 Budget (€50–100)

• easyHotel Amsterdam Zaandam: The ultimate no-frills option. Clean, modern, en-suite rooms often available for €40–70/night.
• B&B Hotel Amsterdam-Zaandam: Compact rooms with air conditioning and a great breakfast buffet.
• Golden Zaan Hotel: A unique converted supermarket building. Free bikes are a massive bonus for exploring the region.

🧳 Standard (€100–180)

• Zaan Hotel Amsterdam: Right next to the platform. You can roll out of bed and be in central Amsterdam in 15 minutes. Great beds and Nespresso machines.
• Best Western Zaan Inn: Modern, air-conditioned rooms with mini-fridges and an on-site restaurant.

💎 Flash (€180+)

• Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam: You’ve probably seen photos of this famous hotel—its exterior looks like 70 traditional green Dutch houses stacked on top of each other! It has a pool, a wellness center, and feels like a true 4-star luxury stay.

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4. Haarlem: The "Mini Amsterdam" (15-20 Mins Away)

Haarlem is arguably the best satellite base for Amsterdam. It's what Amsterdam looked like 15 years ago: stunning cobbled streets, incredible boutique shopping, world-class restaurants, and its own excellent coffeeshop scene.

🎒 Budget (€50–100)

• Hotel Amadeus: A fantastic budget option located right on the historic Grote Markt square. It even includes free breakfast!
• Stayokay Haarlem: Solid hostel on the edge of the center. Great for budget backpackers.
• Hello I'm Local - Boutique Hostel: A beautiful boutique hostel where every room has its own shower.

🧳 Standard (€100–180)

• Hotel Lion d'Or: The oldest hotel in Haarlem (since 1839), recently modernized and located directly across from the train station.
• Hotel ML: Located on Klokhuisplein. Spacious, modern rooms in a historic building that used to print Dutch money.
• Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals: 4-star luxury in central Haarlem, walking distance from everything.
• B&B Hotel Malts: A renovated 1913 monument building with a superb breakfast.
• ibis Styles Haarlem City: Modern rooms, free tea and coffee, and very affordable parking.

💎 Flash (€180+)

• Boutique Hotel Staats: A gorgeous, luxury boutique hotel with uniquely designed rooms and vintage details.
• Brasss Hotel Suites: Luxury suites featuring in-room jacuzzis, steam rooms, and infrared saunas.
• Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem: Luxury outside the city center with free parking, a wellness center, and extra-large beds.

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5. Amsterdam Noord: The Creative Hub (Free 5-Min Ferry)

Just behind Centraal Station is the river IJ. Hop on the free, 24/7 ferry and you're in Amsterdam Noord. It’s an old industrial shipyard turned into the city's coolest neighborhood.

🎒 Budget (€50–100)

• Botel: Exactly what it sounds like—a hotel on a boat. Permanently moored at the NDSM wharf, you sleep in private cabins on the water.
• ClinkNOORD: One of the most popular hostels in the city. Set in a 1920s art deco building, it has a massive communal kitchen and a great bar.

🧳 Standard (€100–180)

• YOTEL Amsterdam: Futuristic, space-efficient cabin rooms right on the waterfront. Very modern and functional.
• i Hotel: A minimalist boutique hotel with smart TVs and bike rentals.

💎 Flash (€180+)

• DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam - NDSM Wharf: Modern luxury right on the NDSM wharf with fantastic waterfront views.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke weed in Amsterdam hotels?

Generally, no. Under Dutch indoor smoking laws, it is illegal to smoke tobacco or cannabis inside hotels, bars, or restaurants. If caught, you can face fines ranging from €150 to €300. However, there are a few specifically licensed smoker-friendly hotels (like The Bulldog Hotel and Hotel Internationaal) that have designated cannabis smoking lounges or bars on the premises.

What happens if I get caught smoking in a non-smoking hotel?

Most Dutch hotels enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy. If the smoke alarm is triggered or staff smell smoke from your room, you will immediately be hit with a cleaning fine (usually €150–€300 added straight to your credit card) and you may be asked to leave the hotel without a refund.

Where are the best Amsterdam hotels near coffeeshops?

The highest concentration of coffeeshops is in Amsterdam Centrum (the city center). Staying anywhere near Centraal Station, Dam Square, or the Red Light District will put you within a 5-minute walk of dozens of shops. If you prefer a quieter neighborhood with excellent, high-quality shops, look for hotels in De Pijp or Jordaan.

Can I take weed from a coffeeshop back to my hotel room?

Yes, you can carry up to 5 grams of cannabis on your person legally in the Netherlands. You are fully allowed to purchase cannabis at a coffeeshop and bring it back to your hotel. However, you must consume it outside or in a designated smoking area, unless you are staying at a smoker-friendly hotel.