Your stay — Belfort
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The Property — Belfort
The Belfort is a no-frills 3-star in the quiet De Pijp district, a short tram ride from the centre. The lobby feels like a small Dutch sitting room: tiled floor, a reception desk with a friendly local, and a coffee machine. Rooms are compact and clean, with good blackout curtains. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a solid, reliable base rather than atmosphere or amenities.
Chronicles of Amsterdam
Amsterdam began as a 13th-century fishing village on the Amstel River, dammed to control flooding. Its Golden Age (1600s) made it a global trading hub, financed the concentric canal ring (a UNESCO site) and the narrow gabled warehouses that line it. The 19th century brought the sprawling Museumplein and Central Station; the 20th century added the radical urban experiments of the Bijlmer and the liberal social policies that define its modern identity. Today Amsterdam remains a compact, cashless city of cyclists, world-class museums, and pragmatic tolerance.
Best Time to Visit
Full Amsterdam guide →Best months
May and September: long daylight, 18–20°C, tulips in bloom or autumn foliage, queues manageable.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: summer holidays plus Pride Amsterdam (late July/early August). Hotel prices jump 40–60%, and the centre is shoulder-to-shoulder. Canal parades and street parties are the main draws; book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April (tulip season but pre-Queen's Day madness) and October (mild, fewer crowds, cheaper rooms – except during Amsterdam Dance Event).
Weather & packing
Amsterdam’s maritime climate means four seasons in a day: sunshine, sudden rain, then cool wind. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a layer (merino or fleece) year-round, even in July.
Live City Briefing — Amsterdam
- The city’s controversial 'stay away' campaign continues; avoid booking short-term rentals in the centre – the Belfort in De Pijp is fine, but check your booking platform’s licence validity.
- Central Station’s multi-year renovation is ongoing; expect diverted platforms and extra walking for intercity and Thalys trains through 2026.
- Amsterdam’s new ‘zero-emission zone’ for delivery vans and trucks starts early 2026; tourist coaches and tour boats are unaffected so far, but check restrictions if arriving by campervan.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Belfort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard (away from Surinameplein). The upper floors avoid street-level noise and the courtyard side is quieter than the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 facing Surinameplein — direct street noise from the tram line and traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift is small and audible.
Best views
Courtyard-facing rooms on floor 4 have a decent, quiet outlook over the inner block. Street-side rooms see the busy roundabout and tram stop — not scenic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest — set back from the street and above the lift motor noise. Floor 2 is acceptable if courtyard-facing.
🔊 Noise notes
Surinameplein is a main junction with trams (line 1 and 17) running from early morning until midnight. The hotel has no double glazing on older windows, so street-facing rooms are loud. The small lobby can echo noise up the staircase.
Insider tips
1. Use the tram stop right outside (Surinameplein) to reach Centraal Station in 20 mins — buy a GVB pass from the hotel reception. 2. Request a room on floor 3 or 4, courtyard side, during booking; the front desk is usually flexible if you call the day before arrival.
- 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 — Belfort
complimentary WiFi throughout, standard speed approx 20 Mbps download, no login portal required; no paid upgrade
single passenger lift covers all three floors; no stairs-only sections
no complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; a few Dutch daily papers are available at reception for purchase
check-in from 15:00, early bag-drop from 07:00 by request; late check-out until 13:00 costs €25 (subject to availability)
free storage in locked luggage room if you arrive before check-in or after check-out
step-free entry via ramp at side door; lift fits standard wheelchair but no accessible bathrooms in rooms; one ground-floor room available
no on-site parking; public Q-Park Surinameplein across the street costs €35 per 24 hours (reserve online); no EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 7% of room rate per person per night, charged at check-out
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment for non-refundable rates; otherwise a €50 incidentals hold per stay upon check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Gurdwara: Gurdwara Maan Sarovar Sahib (584 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Augustinuskerk (917 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Immanuelkerk (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: C.E.C. Amsterdam (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Legmeerplein — 674 m · ~8 min walk
Levend Paardenmuseum — 2.0 km · ~24 min walk
Teatro Munganga — 568 m · ~7 min walk
Speeltuin Andreasbuurt — 636 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Geldmaat — 938 m · ~12 min walk
Mediq Apotheek Wester — 967 m · ~12 min walk
Mini Mix (Russian Store) — 798 m · ~10 min walk
Amsterdam Lelylaan — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use a bank ATM at Schiphol or in the city centre; avoid airport exchange bureaux and tourist-area GWK offices — they give terrible rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard accepted almost everywhere; Amex less common. Contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are standard for all but the smallest street stalls.
Not required — service is included. Round up the bill (e.g. €47 → €50) in restaurants for good service; taxis round to the nearest euro; hotel staff €1–2 per bag or per night of housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso from a bakery or cafe — roughly €2.80 to €3.20.
Broodje (bread roll with filling like cheese or herring) from a supermarket or lunchroom — around €5 to €7.
A main course at a casual eetcafé or Asian place — €12 to €16.
Raw herring from a fish stall or a cone of fries with mayonnaise at a snackbar (‘FEBO’), found near tram stops and markets.
Albert Heijn (most common), Dirk, and Lidl — all within a short walk in 1058GN.
Haarlemmerdijk or De Negen Straatjes streets for affordable boutiques; Waterlooplein market for secondhand and cheap basics.
An all-day public transport ticket ('day pass') costs €8.50; from Schiphol take bus 397 or train to Centraal and then tram — cheapest single Journey from airport is €3.20 by bus if you have an OV-chipkaart.
Buy fresh food at the local morning market (not supermarket) on the nearby Mercatorplein or Ten Katemarkt. Tap water is free and excellent — skip bottled. Avoid canal cruise packages sold by hotel desks; buy tickets online directly for the same trip at half the price.
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 Belfort
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Geldmaat — 938 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Mediq Apotheek Wester — 967 m · ~12 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 Belfort?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard (away from Surinameplein). The upper floors avoid street-level noise and the courtyard side is quieter than the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Belfort?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 facing Surinameplein — direct street noise from the tram line and traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift is small and audible.
Is Belfort noisy?
Surinameplein is a main junction with trams (line 1 and 17) running from early morning until midnight. The hotel has no double glazing on older windows, so street-facing rooms are loud. The small lobby can echo noise up the staircase.
Which rooms have the best views at Belfort?
Courtyard-facing rooms on floor 4 have a decent, quiet outlook over the inner block. Street-side rooms see the busy roundabout and tram stop — not scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at Belfort?
1. Use the tram stop right outside (Surinameplein) to reach Centraal Station in 20 mins — buy a GVB pass from the hotel reception. 2. Request a room on floor 3 or 4, courtyard side, during booking; the front desk is usually flexible if you call the day before arrival.
What time is check-in at Belfort?
Check-in at Belfort is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Belfort have Wi-Fi?
complimentary WiFi throughout, standard speed approx 20 Mbps download, no login portal required; no paid upgrade
Is there a city or tourist tax at Belfort?
7% of room rate per person per night, charged at check-out
Where can I eat cheaply near Belfort?
Broodje (bread roll with filling like cheese or herring) from a supermarket or lunchroom — around €5 to €7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Belfort?
An all-day public transport ticket ('day pass') costs €8.50; from Schiphol take bus 397 or train to Centraal and then tram — cheapest single Journey from airport is €3.20 by bus if you have an OV-chipkaart.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
May and September: long daylight, 18–20°C, tulips in bloom or autumn foliage, queues manageable.
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.