Your stay — Anco
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The Property — Anco
Anco is a practical, no-frills three-star in the city centre, just off the Leidseplein. The lobby feels like a clean, bright, early-2000s business hotel — parquet floors, a small reception desk, and a basket of free city maps. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise location over character: you can walk to the Rijksmuseum in ten minutes and the tram stop is outside the door. The USP is straightforward: decent sleep in a crowded, expensive city, without paying for a restaurant or bar you won't use.
Chronicles of Amsterdam
Amsterdam began in the 13th century as a fishing village around a dam on the Amstel river, then exploded into a global trade hub during the Dutch Golden Age. Its concentric canal ring (the Grachtengordel), dug in the 17th century for transport and defence, is now a Unesco World Heritage site. The city's architecture is defined by tall, narrow gabled houses built on wooden piles, a pragmatic response to swampy ground. Today, Amsterdam is a dense, liberal capital balancing mass tourism with a fiercely independent local culture — bikes rule the streets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Amsterdam guide →Best months
May: warm but not hot, tulips still in bloom, queues shorter than midsummer — the best balance of weather and crowd tolerance.September: summer warmth lingers, festival season still running, but peak tourist numbers have dropped off noticeably.June: long daylight hours (up to 16.5 hours) and frequent outdoor events, though prices start climbing toward peak.
Peak / festival surge
July. Schools across Europe are closed, so families flood in; hotel prices at 3-star properties like Anco routinely hit €200+/night. The main drivers are the Amsterdam Pride (late July/early August) and general summer holidays. Book six months ahead or face scarcity.
Budget shoulder season
April (pre-tulip peak) and October. Spring shoulder has decent weather but fewer crowds; October is cooler but cheaper — think 50-70% of July rates. Crowds at museums ease significantly after September.
Weather & packing
July in Amsterdam is fickle: you can get a 28°C sun-drenched day followed by 14°C and horizontal rain. Pack a light waterproof jacket (not an umbrella — it rarely withstands the wind) and layers you can strip off or pile on instantly.
Live City Briefing — Amsterdam
- Amsterdam's city centre is now a 'zero-emission zone' for delivery vans from 2025, but private cars can still enter; expect more bike lanes and fewer parking spots near Leidseplein.
- The Rijksmuseum's main entrance has reopened after a multi-year renovation of its atrium — entry queues moved to a new side door, but timed tickets still essential in July.
- The city has banned new hotels in the centre and capped cruise-ship arrivals, meaning existing 3-stars like Anco are in higher demand; book before April to avoid €250+ rates.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Anco, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 1-3, as these are likely to be less noisy due to being away from the street-level activity on Oudezijds Voorburgwal. Additionally, floors 1-3 may have fewer guests and less elevator traffic, making for a more peaceful stay.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 0, as it's likely to be the ground floor with direct access to the street and potential noise from the canal and passersby.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address on Oudezijds Voorburgwal doesn't offer a particularly scenic view, as it's a narrow canal street with tall buildings on either side. However, rooms on floors 1-3 may offer a view of the canal or the surrounding architecture.
Quietest floors
Floors 1-3
🔊 Noise notes
Oudezijds Voorburgwal is a lively street with bars, restaurants, and shops, so expect some street noise, especially at night. The hotel's location in the heart of Amsterdam's Red Light District means there may also be some noise from the surrounding area.
Insider tips
Request a room with a window on the canal side (if possible) to get some natural light and a glimpse of the city. Take advantage of the hotel's 3-star amenities, such as the on-site restaurant or bar, to experience the local culture and cuisine without having to venture too far from your accommodation.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Anco
free of charge, 150 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, but the historic section on the top floor has a staircase-only entrance
complimentary PressReader digital newsstand, no physical papers
14:00, no early bag-drop available, late check-out until 15:00 for €20
available for a maximum of 24 hours, €5 per day
step-free access, wheelchair-friendly entrance, some rooms have structural limitations due to the building's age
on-site parking available for €40 per night, nearest public car park is the Q-Park Waterlooplein at €25 per day, no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.50 per person per night, as per the Amsterdam Tourist Tax
Deposit & card hold: €50 advance deposit, €50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Fo Guang Shan He Hua Tempel (84 m · ~1 min walk)
- Synagogue: The Tabernacle (147 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Waalse kerk (377 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Co-kathedrale Basiliek van Sint Nicolaas (486 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Magna Plaza — 846 m · ~11 min walk
Wertheimpark — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Red Light Secrets — 99 m · ~1 min walk
Amsterdams Marionetten Theater — 232 m · ~3 min walk
Speeltuin De Waag — 423 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Geldmaat — 75 m · ~1 min walk
Apotheek H.W. van der Meulen — 177 m · ~2 min walk
Alexander — 33 m · ~1 min walk
Nieuwmarkt — 285 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in the city centre; avoid GWK or tourist exchange bureaux and the airport for poor rates.
Cards and contactless (Maestro/Visa/Mastercard) are accepted everywhere; mobile pay like Apple Pay works fine. Some small shops may be cash-only.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% for good service. Taxis: round up to nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1-2 per bag for porters, €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic espresso or filter coffee at a lunch cafe or bakery: around €2.50-3.00.
A broodje (sandwich) or soup with bread at a cafe or market stall: €8-12.
A main at a casual eetcafe or Indonesian place: €15-22.
Albert Cuypstraat market (10 min tram ride) has herring, stroopwafels, and poffertjes; or the Fen Foodhallen nearby for various cheap bites.
Albert Heijn (many branches), Jumbo, and Lidl are common in this area.
Hoge Raad (De Pijp) and the Kalverstraat (city centre) for high-street brands; Waterlooplein flea market for secondhand.
An all-day GVB public transport pass (€9.00 for unlimited tram/bus/metro). From Schiphol, take train to Amsterdam Centraal (€5.60 single) then tram/metro.
Skip canal boat tours; rent a bike from a local shop for €10-15/day. Buy fresh food at the Albert Cuyp market. Use a reusable water bottle — tap water is safe and free.
Good to know — Amsterdam
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
AmsterdamFor police non-emergencies, call 0900-8844. General non-emergency medical assistance: 088 123 1234 (GP service). Tourist help line: +31 20 551 3366 (Amsterdam Tourist Information).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Amsterdam, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Anco
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Geldmaat — 75 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Apotheek H.W. van der Meulen — 177 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) → nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel
💡 Direct bus service (route 397). Requires advance booking online for best rates. Luggage space guaranteed, good for groups.
nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel → City center / Amsterdam attractions
💡 Buy day pass (GVB €8.50/24hrs) for unlimited trams/buses. Hotel is on direct Tram 4 line to Dam Square. Skip taxis in city center; trams are faster and cheaper.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) → nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel
💡 Most economical option. Take train to Amsterdam Central, transfer to Tram 4 towards Centraal Station direction, get off at RAI stop directly in front of hotel.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) → nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel
💡 Book in advance via Uber app for fixed pricing. Avoid peak hours 8-10am and 4-6pm when traffic is heavy on A4 motorway.
About Amsterdam
Wikipedia ↗
Amsterdam (Dutch: [ˌɑmstərˈdɑm] ; lit. 'Dam in the Amstel') is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amst...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Anco?
Request a room on floors 1-3, as these are likely to be less noisy due to being away from the street-level activity on Oudezijds Voorburgwal. Additionally, floors 1-3 may have fewer guests and less elevator traffic, making for a more peaceful stay.
Which rooms should I avoid at Anco?
Avoid rooms on floor 0, as it's likely to be the ground floor with direct access to the street and potential noise from the canal and passersby.
Is Anco noisy?
Oudezijds Voorburgwal is a lively street with bars, restaurants, and shops, so expect some street noise, especially at night. The hotel's location in the heart of Amsterdam's Red Light District means there may also be some noise from the surrounding area.
Which rooms have the best views at Anco?
Unfortunately, the address on Oudezijds Voorburgwal doesn't offer a particularly scenic view, as it's a narrow canal street with tall buildings on either side. However, rooms on floors 1-3 may offer a view of the canal or the surrounding architecture.
What are insider tips for staying at Anco?
Request a room with a window on the canal side (if possible) to get some natural light and a glimpse of the city. Take advantage of the hotel's 3-star amenities, such as the on-site restaurant or bar, to experience the local culture and cuisine without having to venture too far from your accommodation.
What time is check-in at Anco?
Check-in at Anco is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Anco have Wi-Fi?
free of charge, 150 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Anco?
€3.50 per person per night, as per the Amsterdam Tourist Tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Anco?
A broodje (sandwich) or soup with bread at a cafe or market stall: €8-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Anco?
An all-day GVB public transport pass (€9.00 for unlimited tram/bus/metro). From Schiphol, take train to Amsterdam Centraal (€5.60 single) then tram/metro.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
May: warm but not hot, tulips still in bloom, queues shorter than midsummer — the best balance of weather and crowd tolerance.September: summer warmth lingers, festival season still running, but peak tourist numbers have dropped off noticeably.June: long daylight hours (up to 16.5 hours) and frequent outdoor events, though prices start climbing toward peak.
Top Attractions in Amsterdam
💡 Take the lift to the 7th floor roof terrace for the best free view of Amsterdam's eastern docklands. Open to everyone, no library card needed.
💡 Go early (before 10am) to avoid crowds. The English Reformed Church inside opens at 11am for a quick look.
💡 Silence is requested—no loud talking or photos of residents. Entry via the gate on Spui, not the church side.
💡 Take the lift to the top floor café—coffee is cheap (€1.50) and the terrace overlooks the IJ river, a great free alternative to expensive rooftop bars.
💡 Enter through the arch on Spui—be respectful, as people still live here. No loud groups or bicycles allowed. Visit the chapel's wooden ship models hanging from the ceiling.
💡 Silence is required. No photography inside the courtyard. Go early morning to avoid tour groups – they start arriving around 10am.
💡 Respect the residents — no photos inside the courtyard, and keep your voice down. The English Reformed Church inside has free entry on Saturdays.
💡 Keep your voice down and don't take photos of residents. The hidden Catholic church (Houten Huys) at number 34 is one of Amsterdam's oldest surviving wooden buildings.