The 10 best budget hotels in Amsterdam

Location is everything with a city stay and the Hotel Bellington is almost right next to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Handy, huh? Inside, it’s clean, cheerful and has an obvious note of care attached to it which, let’s face it, not all budget-friendly places do. Art student on a shoestring holiday? This one’s for you.

Located on the upper floors of a 19th-century Art Nouveau mansion, the Hotel Museumzicht is a quaint little gem. Inside you’ll find lots of vintage details, like kitsch wallpapers and a mishmash of old furniture. There are also some nice views of the Rijksmuseum just across the street from the breakfast room. Cheap and pink! What more could you want?

Not so much a hostel, more a way of life, and a stalwart of the Interrailing scene. Young (they don't accept guests over 40 - or under 16) backpackers flock here from around the world, as much for the social life as the accommodation. 

If you're arriving in town late or leaving first thing, this place is ideal, not only because it's as close to the railway station as it's physically possible to be without actually being in it, but also because the bar is open 24 hours. 

Mamma Mia! Here we go again – another nice, clean, friendly budget hotel in Amsterdam just a stroopwafle’s throw from Museum Square (it’s a great city for the impoverished traveller, isn’t it?). This one, however, has a resident ginger cat who’s been known to guard the reception area and some rather lively wallpaper. The cat’s pajamas, as they say.

A more stylish take on the budget hotel than many, the Hotel Corner house is a pretty abode with old beams, new-ish beds and bathrooms, and a sweet little bar area. This is budget hotelling done with a touch of class. There’s also an on-site restaurant offering hearty classics designed to fill your tum. Nearby attractions include Dam Square and the Rembrandthuis Museum.

When in Amsterdam… hire a bike. And make it easier for yourself by hiring one from the hotel that you’re staying in. The Bicycle Hotel Amsterdam is an eco-conscious business that offers guests the perfect transportation option as well as some very Dutch wall art. You’ll be in the De Pijp area, surrounded by restaurant and bar options.

Convenient for Centraal Station, the docklands and hops across to Noord, this a good bet if you're looking for good, clean accommodation with the odd frill, like free in-house movies.

Welcome to the future of hotels: the shipping container at CitizenM. Due to the housing shortage in Amsterdam, local students have long been living in these humble units, but it's safe to say that CitizenM was the first initiative to utilise them as the basis for a 'budget luxury' designer hotel. 

Run by the company behind YO! Sushi, Yotel has historically made its name for quick one-night stopovers (there’s even one inside Amsterdam airport), but has since expanded to offer affordable city-centre options for longer stays. Rooms are small, compact, clean and simple, with some fun techy gadgets and great views over Noord. The Deck bar and kitchen is open all day – if you’re there in summer make sure to grab a mimosa for the terrace overlooking the river. Oh, and order the Instagrammable salmon étagère (€65 for two); bagels, salmon tartare, wasabi creme fraiche and chive cream cheese on an afternoon tea-style rack. Once the bar is closed, you can hit the grab-and-go section in the main lobby, with crisps, ramen noodles, and even a beer tap to pour your own pint. 

Time Out tip: You’re in one of Amsterdam’s trendiest areas, away from the chaos and tourist hotspots of the city centre but with plenty of bars and restaurants to discover, so it's worth taking advantage of this with the complimentary bikes.