The Netherlands is often pictured as canals, bikes and tulips, but it is also a very easy country for comfortable, stress‑free travel. Distances are short, public transport is excellent, and many hotels and apartments are set up for mature travellers who like convenience and calm.
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We’ve written this guide for travellers who are:
If you like the idea of canal‑side hotels, converted historic buildings, modern design hotels and well‑located apartments—rather than dorm rooms—this page will help you choose:
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Part of what makes the Netherlands so interesting is how its history still shapes where you stay today.
When you choose where to stay, you are also choosing the type of history you want to wake up in: Golden Age canals, medieval streets or modern architecture along the water.
We found travelling by train in the Netherlands and across Europe one of the best parts of our trip.
When choosing accommodation, we often look for hotels within walking distance of the main station or with easy tram links, especially if we plan several day trips by rail.
City Hotels
In Dutch cities we tend to stay in modern mid‑range or upscale hotels that offer:
These are ideal if you want a simple, predictable base after busy days of sightseeing.
Boutique and Design Hotels
The Netherlands does design well. All over the country you’ll find:
They suit travellers who enjoy character, architecture and a stylish bar or lobby to relax in.
Serviced Apartments and Aparthotels
In cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague there is a good choice of aparthotels:
These are great for longer trips, families, or anyone who likes having a fridge and a place to make simple meals.
Converted Historic Buildings
One special feature of the Netherlands is how many old buildings have been given new life:
Staying in one of these can be a highlight, combining history with modern comfort. Maastricht, for example, has some very memorable properties in this style.
Because the country is compact, you don’t need to change hotels every night. Many visitors:
Below we focus on Amsterdam and Maastricht, where we have stayed, and then suggest a few other cities that work well as bases.
Why Amsterdam Works Well as a Base
Amsterdam combines:
If you stay near the centre or close to major tram lines, you can reach most sights quickly without needing a car.
Amsterdam Areas That Suit Comfortable Stays
Centrum (around Central Station and the historic core)
Convenient for arrival by train and for canal cruises, the Dam Square area and the old streets. Can be busy but very practical if you are coming and going by rail.
Canal Belt (Grachtengordel)
The ring of 17th‑century canals with picture‑perfect townhouses. Many small hotels and apartments here have real “Amsterdam” character, and the atmosphere is usually calmer a street or two back from the main lanes.
Museum Quarter (Oud‑Zuid)
A little quieter, close to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark. Good if you value calm evenings, green space and easy tram links to the centre.
Where We Stayed in Amsterdam
We stayed at ibis Styles Amsterdam Central Station, right by Amsterdam Centraal. It was an excellent base for exploring the city and using trains for day trips.
We found it ideal for a short city stay when we were coming and going by train and didn’t want to drag luggage far.
Why Maastricht Is a Great Second Base
Maastricht, in the very south of the country, feels quite different from Amsterdam:
It is also a good hub if you want to explore nearby Belgium and Germany by train.
Where We Stayed in Maastricht
We stayed at the Kruisherenhotel, one of the most memorable hotels we’ve experienced.
The location is a short walk from the old city centre, making it easy to explore Maastricht on foot but if you are arriving by train you will need to catch a tram or taxi as it’s a bit far on foot
We also stayed at The Social Hub Maastricht, which has a fresh, contemporary feel.
We found it a practical and comfortable option, especially if you like a modern, informal atmosphere.
If you are travelling by train or planning a longer itinerary, these places can also make excellent bases:
Rotterdam
Utrecht
The Hague (Den Haag) and Scheveningen
Smaller Historic Towns
Places like Haarlem, Delft and Leiden are easy day trips from Amsterdam by train, but you can also base yourself there for a slower‑paced stay with plenty of history and local life.
Before you book in the Netherlands, it helps to think about:
How busy do we want it to feel?
How important is being close to the station?
Because trains are such a good way to travel, we often aim to:
This makes arrival and departure days much easier and encourages more spontaneous day trips.
What facilities do we need?
Make a short checklist:
Do we prefer modern or historic buildings?
Book ahead for peak periods
The Netherlands can get busy during:
Amsterdam in particular rewards early booking if you want central, comfortable hotels at fair prices.
Use reviews wisely
Look for reviews from travellers similar to you:
Check room details
In older canal houses:
If mobility is a concern, filter for accessible rooms and newer buildings or larger hotels.
Transport and safety
The Netherlands feels generally safe and well organised. A few simple habits help:
These are very rough ranges and can vary with season and demand.
Amsterdam
Comfortable mid‑range hotel or aparthotel
Around €170–€260 per night for a central double or twin with private bathroom and Wi‑Fi.
Boutique or 4–5★ hotel
From about €260–€450+ per night, especially in canal‑belt locations or peak times such as spring and summer.
Other Major Cities (Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Maastricht)
Mid‑range hotel
Roughly €130–€210 per night, depending on location and season.
Boutique or upscale hotel
Around €200–€320+ per night for well‑located, higher‑end properties.
Smaller Towns and Countryside
Many travellers mix their stays:
This keeps travel days simple, makes full use of the rail network and allows you to enjoy both the big sights and quieter corners of the Netherlands.
Download our easy-to-use Travel Budget Planner
One simple form to budget and control all your Travel expenses. Free to use for multiple trips.
Below are our go-to sites for planning trips.
Cruises – Vacations To Go is a discount cruise marketplace offering expert agents, comprehensive itineraries, last-minute deals, and easy booking worldwide online.
Skyscanner — Our favourite flight search engine, especially for finding budget carriers and smaller sites others miss.
Booking.com — The most reliable all-around hotel and budget stay finder, often with the lowest rates and huge inventory.
GetYourGuide — A massive marketplace for tours and activities (walking tours, day trips, classes, and more).
World Nomads — Flexible travel insurance designed for travellers and adventure activities.
Wise Travel Card — Low-fee international spending and transfers with great exchange rates; perfect for multi-currency trips.
Sixt — Reliable car rentals with a broad fleet; handy for Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley trips from Melbourne.
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Our score is out of 10 and based on:
Location & convenience – 30%
Room Quality & cleanliness – 30%
Facilities & services – 25%
Dining – 15%
We do not take price (value for money) into our calculations, as rates can differ substantially depending on when you go. If you travel in peak season, then expect to pay the highest rates, but it does not (or should not) change the quality of the hotel. If we give it a rating of 8.0 or higher, we would consider staying again.
TBA – means we have not stayed at this hotel but have booked for a future visit or included in our research as a suggested place to stay
We’ll send you a direct link to our Google Sheets Cruise Budget Planner. Easy to use for multiple cruises.
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