Hotel Vondel in Amsterdam - opinions?

Any opinions on this hotel? It's listed as a 4-star but the rate for a
single room is phenomenally cheap (~$100 incl. tax) by Amsterdam
standards. Also, any opinions on the neighorhood (Vondelstraat in
Museum District)?
This will be our first trip to Amsterdam. I'd like to make the trip
memorable for my soon-to-be 10-year old daughter. Would also
appreciate any suggestions on interesting sights to see, things to do
for a pre-teen. Thanks.

KK

On 14 Jul 2003 12:42:06 -0700, birky99@m (KublaiKhan) wrote:

>Any opinions on this hotel? It's listed as a 4-star but the rate for a
>single room is phenomenally cheap (~$100 incl. tax) by Amsterdam
>standards. Also, any opinions on the neighorhood (Vondelstraat in
>Museum District)?
>This will be our first trip to Amsterdam. I'd like to make the trip
>memorable for my soon-to-be 10-year old daughter. Would also
>appreciate any suggestions on interesting sights to see, things to do
>for a pre-teen. Thanks.
>
>KK

I don't know this hotel but I stayed once in another hotel in
Vondelstraat. I was given a fairly nice single room overlooking
Vondelstraat. The window was broken but this didn't bother me too
much as Vondelstraat looked a quiet street. However I discovered that
the taxis use Vondelstraat as a rat run all through the night so there
was constant traffic which kept me awake. Next day I transferred
to a room at the back and had no more problems (oh except the night we
were evacuated 'cos someone set fire to the hotel next door).

I guess what to do will depend on what your daughter's interests are.
I am long past my 10th birthday but I still enjoyed a great day at
Artis zoo. I might also suggest a trip on one of the water boats
round the canals. You can hop on and off as you like. There are, of
course, plenty of museums and shopping but whether these would appeal
I don't know. Coach tours are a possibility and most hotels will
have the brochures for them. I also enjoyed a trip to see the old
ship Batavia. Other than that I really don't have a clue what is
available for children in Amsterdam. Hopefully someone "local" will
be able to advise.

Derek

>
>This will be our first trip to Amsterdam. I'd like to make the trip
>memorable for my soon-to-be 10-year old daughter. Would also
>appreciate any suggestions on interesting sights to see, things to do
>for a pre-teen. Thanks.

The Vondel Park is great, almost any time of the day or night there is
something going on. Please do not miss going to the Ann Frank House, a
memorable experience for you and your daughter. The Blumenmarket ( spelling ??
) is a good way to spend a morning, the museums in the area are fun, but for a
pre teen, maybe not too much of that. I bet she can really identify with the
Anne Frank House thought.
Rosie