Amsterdam is expensive, make no mistake about it. Sometimes eye-wateringly so. But fear not: Yotel has changed the game. 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. Now, there are Yotel ‘pads’ in Boston, Edinburgh, Porto and San Francisco. Yotel Amsterdam City Hotel is one of their newest ventures, located on the River IJ.
Rooms are small, compact, clean and simple, with some fun techy gadgets and great views over Noord. The beds pull out of the wall, controlled by a remote control, there’s a TV with every channel you can imagine, and you can change the colour of your room on a touch-dial, for a laugh.
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. And make sure to take advantage of their bike hire, free for your arrival day.
Neighbourhood
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. Don’t worry, you’re a (free) five-minute ferry from Amsterdam’s Centraal Station so you don’t miss out on any of the fun. Spend your first morning grabbing coffee, renting a bike and getting to know the hidden gems in Noord.
Nearby
1. Bacalar: Mezcal margaritas, good beer and possibly the best taco you’ll ever have in your life, one minute’s walk from the hotel.
2. A’DAM Lookout: Fear of heights? Look away now: this is the highest swing in Europe, 100 metres into the sky, where you can swing on and off the edge. The views don’t get better than this.
3. Café Keppler: The kind of café you hope you’ll stumble across in Amsterdam, serving up brunch done proper, from shakshuka to omelettes and a selection of fresh pastries.
Time Out tip
For a special occasion, book a table in advance for Helling 7, a spectacular Dutch restaurant on the second floor of a restored old shipyard canteen. Have a cocktail at the bar, before having dinner looking out over Noord’s industrial NDSM site through its all-glass walls. Check out Pllek afterwards for a nightcap before heading back to Yotel.
Here's our selection of the best hotels in Amsterdam.
Hungry for more? Check out our best restaurants in Amsterdam.
