Your stay — Asterisk
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The Property — Asterisk
Asterisk is a no-frills, budget-focused 2-star hotel a short walk from Amsterdam Centraal station. The lobby is small and functional, with a reception desk, a few chairs and a vending machine — more efficient than cosy. It suits solo travellers or couples who plan to spend almost all their time out exploring and just need a clean, central place to sleep and shower.
Chronicles of Amsterdam
Amsterdam began in the late 12th century as a fishing village around a dam on the Amstel River. Its Golden Age in the 1600s saw the city become a global trading hub, leading to the construction of the concentric canal ring (Grachtengordel) lined with gabled merchant houses. Today, that 17th-century centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, while the city has evolved into a multicultural capital known for its museums, cycling culture and pragmatic liberalism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Amsterdam guide →Best months
May and September offer the best balance: mild temperatures (12-20°C) and lower rainfall than June-August, with manageable crowds outside school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the peak months, driven by summer holidays, warm weather and canal cruises. Hotel prices can double; expect packed streets, especially around the Anne Frank House and Vondelpark.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the budget shoulders: tulip season (April) draws crowds but March-April still has lower demand than summer; October has cooler weather but cheaper rooms and shorter queues.
Weather & packing
Amsterdam weather is famously changeable — a sunny morning can turn to steady drizzle by noon. Pack a lightweight, packable rain jacket and layer under it; leave the umbrella at home (wind steals them constantly).
Live City Briefing — Amsterdam
- Central Station’s main entrance is undergoing renovation until 2027; use the side entrances or the IJ-side ferry exit to avoid congestion.
- Amsterdam has banned new short-term holiday rentals in the city centre from 2025, pushing some visitors back to hotels.
- Several major museums (Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum) require advance booking in summer; check websites at least a week ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Asterisk, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor, one flight up) at the rear of the building away from the street. The lift serves all floors, so top-floor rooms are accessible but tend to be smaller due to rooflines at a 2-star hotel.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the lobby or entrance, as they suffer from street noise and foot traffic through the small reception area. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking the main canal or street (likely Singel or Damrak given central Amsterdam address) — trams and bikes start early.
Best views
Limited. A rear-facing room on floor 3 might offer a glimpse of a courtyard or neighbouring rooftops, not canal views. Front-facing rooms will look onto a busy Amsterdam street – not scenic, just traffic and tram lines.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (European numbering: lift goes to 4th floor as top). These are above street hubbub but below any attic-level rooms which can be cramped and hotter in summer.
🔊 Noise notes
Central Amsterdam is loud: trams run 6am–midnight, delivery vans start at 5am, and pub-goers can be rowdy until 2am. The lift is likely old and clunky – avoid rooms right next to it on any floor.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, don't – there's no hotel parking. Park at a Q-Park garage (e.g., Bijenkorf or Waterlooplein) and walk or take tram. 2. Check-in is often cash-only at this star level; bring euros and confirm by email beforehand. 3. Ask for a room with a window that opens – many 2-star Amsterdam hotels have sealed windows, and fresh air is a rarity.
- 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 — Asterisk
Free basic (download 3 Mbps, upload 1 Mbps); paid premium €5/day for 15 Mbps up/down; login with room number and surname
One small lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections
Free digital access to PressReader app (login details at reception); no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available at reception from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 for €25, after 12:00 charged for extra night
Free for day of check-in/check-out; €5 per bag for longer storage
Step-free from street to lobby; lift fits standard wheelchair; narrow doorways in some standard rooms; no adapted bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park Q-Park Bijenkorf at €35 for 24 hours (5-min walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €12.50 per person per night, mandatory
Deposit & card hold: Full stay charged at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Gurdwara: Guru Ram Das Ashram (125 m · ~2 min walk)
- Synagogue: Gerard Dou Synagogue (472 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk - Amstelkerk (488 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Shambhala (660 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Magna Plaza — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
H.M. van Randwijkplantsoen — 239 m · ~3 min walk
Heineken Experience — 294 m · ~4 min walk
MyEscape.Club — 108 m · ~1 min walk
Hercules Seghersplein — 931 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Geldmaat — 203 m · ~3 min walk
Alphega Apotheek — 295 m · ~4 min walk
FermentFabriek — 480 m · ~6 min walk
Vijzelgracht — 331 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
ATMs are the best rate; avoid airport and GWK tourist exchange bureaus which charge high fees and poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard contactless is widely accepted; American Express is not; many smaller shops and markets are cash-only.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% if service isn't included. Taxis: round up to nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1–2 per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a local bakery or market stall: around €2.50.
A broodje (sandwich) or soup from a supermarket or baker: €5–7.
A main course at an ethnic place (Indonesian, Turkish) or a simple Dutch pub: €15–18.
Albert Cuypmarkt and other street markets have fresh stroopwafels, herring, and poffertjes for €3–5. Also excellent for cheap takeaway.
Albert Heijn, Lidl, and Aldi are the main budget chains.
H&M, Zara, and C&A on Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk; second-hand shops in De Pijp for bargains.
Get a 24-hour GVB pass (€9) for unlimited trams/buses/metro. From Schiphol, take bus 397 (€6.50 single) or an Amsterdam Travel Ticket (€18 for full day plus airport transfer).
Get a museumkaart (€64.90) if visiting three or more museums – covers most major ones. Avoid eating or drinking within the inner canal ring (€5+ surcharge). Use a reusable water bottle – tap water is free and excellent.
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 Asterisk
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Geldmaat — 203 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Alphega Apotheek — 295 m · ~4 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Asterisk?
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor, one flight up) at the rear of the building away from the street. The lift serves all floors, so top-floor rooms are accessible but tend to be smaller due to rooflines at a 2-star hotel.
Which rooms should I avoid at Asterisk?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the lobby or entrance, as they suffer from street noise and foot traffic through the small reception area. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking the main canal or street (likely Singel or Damrak given central Amsterdam address) — trams and bikes start early.
Is Asterisk noisy?
Central Amsterdam is loud: trams run 6am–midnight, delivery vans start at 5am, and pub-goers can be rowdy until 2am. The lift is likely old and clunky – avoid rooms right next to it on any floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Asterisk?
Limited. A rear-facing room on floor 3 might offer a glimpse of a courtyard or neighbouring rooftops, not canal views. Front-facing rooms will look onto a busy Amsterdam street – not scenic, just traffic and tram lines.
What are insider tips for staying at Asterisk?
1. If arriving by car, don't – there's no hotel parking. Park at a Q-Park garage (e.g., Bijenkorf or Waterlooplein) and walk or take tram. 2. Check-in is often cash-only at this star level; bring euros and confirm by email beforehand. 3. Ask for a room with a window that opens – many 2-star Amsterdam hotels have sealed windows, and fresh air is a rarity.
What time is check-in at Asterisk?
Check-in at Asterisk is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Asterisk have Wi-Fi?
Free basic (download 3 Mbps, upload 1 Mbps); paid premium €5/day for 15 Mbps up/down; login with room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Asterisk?
€12.50 per person per night, mandatory
Where can I eat cheaply near Asterisk?
A broodje (sandwich) or soup from a supermarket or baker: €5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Asterisk?
Get a 24-hour GVB pass (€9) for unlimited trams/buses/metro. From Schiphol, take bus 397 (€6.50 single) or an Amsterdam Travel Ticket (€18 for full day plus airport transfer).
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
May and September offer the best balance: mild temperatures (12-20°C) and lower rainfall than June-August, with manageable crowds outside school holidays.
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.