Related: Amsterdam hotel advice: Read this before booking your hotel

Our take on Amsterdam’s proposed tourist tax

As experienced budget travelers, we know that not everyone staying in a pension or hostel is just looking for an excuse to party. Just like visitors who prefer the finer things in life and have a little more in their bank account, we come to Amsterdam to see the world-class museums, dine at local restaurants, and enjoy an evening’s stroll along the canals. And for many travelers on tight budgets, even a small increase in costs can cause them to cancel their vacation plans.

We love staying at affordable hotels, not only because we love the price, but also for unique features such as historic buildings, old-world atmosphere, and personal service that you can only get from a smaller hotel. And Amsterdam is lucky to have dozens of affordable hotels with plenty of character and charm. Sometimes we even choose to stay in the Red Light District. Of course, there can always be the chance of unruly guests, but bad behavior doesn’t limit itself to hostels or budget hotels.

Why do we stay at budget hotels in Amsterdam? To have more money for cheese! Photo: Craig Nelson

We’ll never turn down a stay in the lap of luxury — especially when we can score a fantastic deal. But the more money we can save on accommodations, the more we can spend on our trip and come back to Europe again and again. While there’s a stereotype that all budget travelers spend their extra cash on drinking and drugs in Amsterdam, many of us actually spend our leftover euros on cheese at the outdoor markets or splurge on a rental bike to cruise around the city like a local.

As more and more hotels turn towards the boutique model, the price of traveling through Europe keeps climbing. We’ve talked about our favorite budget hotels in Paris hotels that have gone upscale, but is a global trend that is not coming to an end anytime soon.

Even with the recent decline in the euro, finding a good hotel at a decent price in any European city is increasingly becoming a challenge. And to now have a major city like Amsterdam favor luxury hotels over more affordable options just means that budget travelers could get squeezed even more in the years to come or pushed out of the city center.

Let’s hope the city finds a way to curtail the rambunctious behavior of a few tourists without penalizing the majority of travelers that just want to save a little bit on their trip.

Your thoughts?

What do you think of Amsterdam’s new tourist tax? Are they right to take a stand against unruly travelers? What’s your advice for the city? Share with us in our comments section below!

The post Amsterdam: City’s new tourist tax aimed unfairly at budget travelers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But as such a popular destination, finding a really good deal on your hotel can be tricky.

Sure, you can find rooms for around $100 with no problem. But what if you want to stretch your budget a bit further? Those museums admissions, giant wheels of cheese, and canal cruises can add up fast after all. We’ve uncovered five hotels with high ratings but jaw-droppingly low rates.

Related:
• Amsterdam Hotel Advice: Read this first!
• Top 10 budget hotel picks in Amsterdam
• 5 Unique and cheap sleeps in Amsterdam

Super cheap hotels in Amsterdam

The prices are easy on the wallet at easyHotel. Photo: Booking.com

easyHotel Amsterdam

Economy Twin Rooms from $47
Neighborhood: Pijp

Have you ever flown the UK-based budget carrier easyJet? Then you’ll be ready for this very basic and very cheap hotel experience. The extras will tack on fees (from the Wi-Fi to the TV), but each room does come with a private bathroom and a window overlooking the street or the back courtyard.

You can walk to the trendy restaurants in the Pijp neighborhood  around the corner or the Van Gogh Museum in about 15 minutes. It’s an amazing deal considering rates are frequently available for less than $50 per night! Read the full review.

The rooms are bright, simple, and incredibly affordable at the Abba Hotel. Photo: EuroCheapo

Abba Hotel

Twin Rooms from $48
Neighborhood: Museums & Vondelpark

For a real neighborhood experience at a really low price, this one-star hotel is one of our top picks for a super cheap stay in Amsterdam. The rooms have a comfy, old-fashioned vibe as well as up-to-date perks like free Wi-Fi and TVs. Ask for a room in the back to enjoy a quieter sleep and a tiny balcony.

You can take a stroll or bike ride around beautiful Vondelpark located two blocks away. If you need a snack, just run down to the Albert Heijn grocery store on the ground level. Read the full review.

Hotel Washington is located in a charming 19th-century townhouse. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel Washington

Double Rooms from $49
Neighborhood: Museums & Vondelpark

Situated on a leafy block near Museum Square, this two-star hotel has some excellent deals for the location. All accommodations come with a flat-screen TV, safe, and kettle. The cheaper rooms have not been renovated in a while, but they do offer the vintage charms (and scuffs) of an old-world hotel.

With the Rijksmuseum just five minutes away, art lovers will also love the very low prices. Prices spike in the high season (starting in May), but you can still find some good deals depending on availability. Read the full review.

Meet new friends at the old-fashioned bar at The Old Nickel Hotel. Photo: EuroCheapo

The Old Nickel Hotel

Double Rooms from $59
Neighborhood: Red Light District

This family-run one-star hotel has a friendly Amsterdam vibe to it. All rooms come with shared (and clean) bathrooms and showers facilities. Head downstairs to the old-school pub to share a drink with fellow travelers or connect to Wi-Fi. In the morning, you can grab a complimentary egg and bacon breakfast in the same space.

With a location just a three-minute walk to Centraal Station, The Old Nickel makes a good choice for those arriving or leaving by train. Read the full review.

Enjoy a cool, rock n’ roll vibe for a low cover charge at Backstage Hotel. Photo: EuroCheapo

Backstage Hotel

Double Rooms from $67
Neighborhood: Grachtengordel South

For a rockin’ good time that won’t smash your budget, the Backstage Hotel delivers a great show. Popular with touring bands and outfitted with musical-themed touches everywhere you look, you don’t have to be a star to enjoy the low rates. Each room comes equipped with a LCD TV and free Wi-Fi, while the downstairs bar features a piano and a pool table.

The buzzy vibe might not be for everyone, but music fans will be in heaven. We know, it’s only Rock n’ Roll, but we like it! Read the full review.

More Amsterdam hotel advice

Looking for more hotel suggestions for your upcoming trip to Amsterdam? We’ve got them! Check out our guide to budget hotels in Amsterdam.

The post 5 Super cheap hotels in Amsterdam appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.