Where My Friends Stay: 7 Hotels That Aren't Tourist Traps

Every time someone tells me they are coming to Amsterdam, the first question is always the same: "Where should I stay?" And honestly, it is the most important decision you will make for your trip. The wrong hotel can put you in tourist-trap hell. The right one puts you in the middle of real Amsterdam.

Here are the seven hotels I actually recommend to friends. Not because they are paying me — because people I trust have stayed there and loved them.

1. The Hoxton — Jordaan

This is my number one recommendation and it is not even close. The Hoxton sits right on Herengracht in the Jordaan. Friends of mine stayed here last spring and literally tried to extend their trip by a week.

The lobby is where locals actually come to work and hang out, which tells you everything about the vibe. Rooms are not huge but they are beautifully designed. Get a canal view room if you can swing it.

Budget: €€€ | Best for: Couples, solo travelers, anyone who wants to feel like a local from day one

2. Hotel De Hallen — Oud-West

Built inside a former tram depot right next to the Foodhallen. Hotel De Hallen is my roommate's pick for coolest hotel in Amsterdam.

The industrial-chic design is gorgeous, and being right next to the Foodhallen means you have twenty restaurant options within thirty seconds of your front door. Oud-West is one of the best neighborhoods in Amsterdam right now.

Budget: €€€ | Best for: Foodies, design lovers, people who want a trendy neighborhood base

3. Pulitzer Amsterdam — Jordaan

Pulitzer is spread across 25 connected canal houses. My friend Sara calls it the most Amsterdam hotel in Amsterdam. The inner garden is magical, and you are in the heart of the Jordaan.

This is a splurge, but if you are celebrating something or just want to treat yourself, there is nothing quite like it. The bar is also excellent.

Budget: €€€€ | Best for: Special occasions, luxury seekers, architecture lovers

4. Hotel V Nesplein — Centrum

Right in the center but with the feel of a boutique hotel, not a tourist factory. Hotel V Nesplein is where my friend Lisa stayed for a work trip and immediately booked a personal weekend.

Great breakfast, stylish rooms, and walking distance to literally everything. If you want central without the soulless chain hotel vibe, this is it.

Budget: €€€ | Best for: Business travelers, first-timers who want to be central

5. Hotel Not Hotel — Oud-West

Hotel Not Hotel is exactly what it sounds like. Every room is a different art installation — my friend Max slept in a room shaped like a tram. It is weird, wonderful, and weirdly affordable.

This is the pick for people who want a story to tell when they get home. Not the fanciest, but easily the most memorable.

Budget: €€ | Best for: Creative types, budget travelers, anyone who wants something different

6. Sir Adam Hotel — Noord

In the A'DAM Tower with the rooftop swing that you have probably seen on Instagram. Sir Adam is a five-minute free ferry ride from Central Station.

Noord is Amsterdam's coolest emerging neighborhood, and staying here puts you right in the middle of it. The views from the rooms are incredible.

Budget: €€€ | Best for: Music lovers, Instagram enthusiasts, people who want the "new Amsterdam"

7. Conscious Hotel Westerpark — Oud-West

If sustainability matters to you (and you do not want to sacrifice style for it), Conscious Hotel is your spot. Near Westerpark, eco-friendly, and genuinely well-designed.

My friend who is annoyingly into sustainability stayed here and actually approved. That is the highest praise she gives.

Budget: €€ | Best for: Eco-conscious travelers, budget travelers, park lovers

The Bottom Line

Stay in the Jordaan, De Pijp, Oud-West, or Noord. Avoid the area right around Dam Square and the Red Light District for sleeping (visit them during the day, sure, but do not sleep there unless you enjoy drunk tourists singing at 3 AM).

Book early, especially in spring and summer. My friend tried to book The Hoxton last-minute in June and everything was gone.

And remember: the best hotel is the one in the right neighborhood. A €100/night room in the Jordaan beats a €200/night room on the Damrak every single time.