[aslyfox]

my wife and I will be in Amsterdam for one night, arriving from the US early in the AM and flying out the next day, in fact we will be doing the same thing about 15 days later

[ this trip is far in the future late July 2019 - early August 2019 but we are about to book it so short of illness or work complications which cannot be avoided, we will be going. we would be booking lodging closure to our departure day ]

we did this once before and the first night we stayed at a fancy airport hotel and the second small two story hotel near the air port,

We took shuttles to them.

the second one was very nice and I liked it because it was not a typical " air port " hotel

the problem was that when we tried to go into the center of Amsterdam our taxi could not get us to our destination but due to traffic congestion, we had to leave the taxi and hoof it the rest of the distance.

we did a canal dinner cruise the first night and a walking food tor the second time.

now I am looking for good lodging in the center or near center of Amsterdam which will not be like staying at our local hyatt or holiday inn if you know what I mean.

Suggestions on how to get to the hotels would be nice, we will be hauling luggage and camera gear so we are concerned over public transport and then walking to the hotel.

[Khashoggi]

Best way if you want to stay in Amsterdam is to take the train from Schiphol Airport. Every few minutes a train departs from platforms 1 or 2(which are next to eachother). Other posebility is the tram or bus to Amsterdam central station. Taxi's are a disaster especially in the city center. So it is a walk either way. Thankfully a lot of hotels are near a bus or tram stop. Another possebility is a B&B, often very good, and often a bit cheaper then a hotel(also they do their best a lot more to make it comfortable to you then hotels in my opinion so you come back quicker), through this site it is safe to book: Bed and Breakfasts Amsterdam | Bed & Breakfast Netherlands, if you keep prefering a hotel in city center or just out, keep in mind there is a lot of walking with luggage. The best way to travel in Amsterdam is by walking or public transport(or take a bicycle when you putted your luggage away). Taxi's and cars are a disaster, especially in the center as people keep walking a lot through red light and why often taxi's can't get you to your destination. And as long as you stay with your luggage, there are barely any problems as long as you keep your eyes on it/stay put on it. If you don't, well, be prepared someone will call the police due to luggage left unattended. Also your camera bag, put it on your suitcase, or if you can sit, on your knees, also, put your wallet in it if you have it in your back pocket of your pants so you can keep an eye on it.

[zoneV]

Recommend staying in airport area hotel with shuttle. Make arrangements to have them store your bags (put valuables in safe) before check-in and grab shuttle back to airport. Train to Amsterdam Centraal. Walking around the area is easy. If going farther afield (museums, etc) get a tram. Reverse process to go back to hotel. Get passes/tickets for trams at building near Centraal Station. Any rooms anywhere will be pricey in July/August.. Staying in a soulless hotel is okay for one or two nights if it makes flight connections easier and frees you to travel into town with just the essentials. The hassle of getting into/out of town with luggage isn't worth it. Rooms for one night will start booking earlier than you might expect. Dutch are very friendly and polite - ready to help. EXCEPT when they are on a bike or motor scooter. Then watch out! We try to stay 4 to 8 nights when we visit Amsterdam - it is worth it. If you do visit longer, try HomeAway/VRBO for apartments. Enjoy your trip.