🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Old Nickel
📍 11, Nieuwebrugsteeg, Amsterdam, 1012AG
Your stay — Old Nickel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Amsterdam.
The Property — Old Nickel
The Old Nickel is a lean, no-nonsense three-star on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, a five-minute stride from Dam Square. The lobby is compact and functional: a tiled floor, a reception desk that gets you checked in fast, and a small stairwell lift. Its USP is location and price—rooms are clean, small, with basic furnishings and en-suite bathrooms. Suits budget-conscious singles or couples who plan to be out all day and just need a quiet, central base to sleep.
Chronicles of Amsterdam
Amsterdam began as a 13th-century fishing village on the Amstel River, its name derived from a dam built on the river around 1270. The city exploded in the 1600s, the Dutch Golden Age, when its ring of canals (the Grachtengordel) was dug to manage trade and defence, creating the concentric layout still seen today. That era left a legacy of tall, narrow gabled merchant houses, now mixed with modernist buildings like the 1980s Stopera opera house. Contemporary Amsterdam is a global hub for tech, nightlife and tourism, but its identity remains rooted in a pragmatic, liberal mercantilism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Amsterdam guide →Best months
May and September: mild temperatures (15–20°C), long daylight hours, and far fewer crowds than July or August. June is good too, but it can get busy towards the end.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by school holidays, the Pride Amsterdam festival (late July/early August) and the Uitmarkt cultural festival (late August). Hotel prices spike 40–60% above shoulder season, and central areas are packed.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best budget shoulder months: April offers tulip season (though busy at flower spots), October has cooler but still pleasant weather and huge discounts on rooms. Both avoid the summer crush.
Weather & packing
Amsterdam has a maritime climate that can flip from sun to drizzle within an hour—expect a mix of 18°C days and light rain. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and layers: a jumper under a shell works for both a canal cruise and a rainy evening.
Live City Briefing — Amsterdam
- Amsterdam’s city centre is now a Low Emission Zone; visitors driving non-EU diesel cars may face fines—public transport (tram, metro, bike) is the smart move.
- The Rijksmuseum’s main gallery reopened this summer after a two-year renovation, with a fresh hang of 17th-century masters including Rembrandt’s Night Watch.
- The city’s tourist tax rose to 12.5% on accommodation in 2025—check your final bill at the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Old Nickel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (facing away from Nieuwebrugsteeg). These floors avoid street-level bustle and the lift noise is minimal. The rear position gives a quieter outlook over inner courtyards.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor (street level) or those at the front directly above Nieuwebrugsteeg. The street is a narrow, busy tourist link between Damrak and the Red Light District, so early-morning deliveries and pedestrian chatter are loud. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft – the old lift can be clunky.
Best views
No grand view at this address: Nieuwebrugsteeg is a narrow alley off Damrak. A front room gives a close-up of the street life and a peek of the Old Church spire. Rear rooms see only brick walls or small courtyards – no canal vista.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (if the hotel has a typical 4–5 floor layout – a common 3-star Amsterdam canal-building height). Top floor under the roof can be stuffy in summer but no street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Nieuwebrugsteeg is a pedestrian-priority street but has constant foot traffic from Damrak to the Red Light District. Early garbage collection (around 6am) clatters from nearby bars. Late-night rowdy groups are common, especially weekends. The hotel has no soundproofed windows – single glazing is typical for this age of building.
Insider tips
1. Check in early afternoon (2–3pm) to secure a rear room; the front desk often assigns rooms on arrival. 2. If you need sleep, bring earplugs – the hotel won't stock them. There's no parking at the hotel; use the 'Damrak' parking garage (5 mins walk) but pre-book online to save 40%.
- 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 — Old Nickel
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps download), login via room number; paid upgrade to 25 Mbps for €5 per day
Small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Free digital access to PressReader via lobby tablet; no physical papers. The 17th-century canal house has original exposed beams in the breakfast room
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 without charge. Late check-out until 12:00 on request for €25, subject to availability
Free luggage storage behind front desk for same-day arrival or departure
No step-free access — two steps at main entrance (no ramp); lift too narrow for wheelchairs; no adapted rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public garage is Q-Park Centrum Oosterdok (€30 per night, 5-min walk). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.00 per person per night (7% of room rate, collected at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via card required at booking; €50 incidental hold per room at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Co-kathedrale Basiliek van Sint Nicolaas (79 m · ~1 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Fo Guang Shan He Hua Tempel (417 m · ~5 min walk)
- Synagogue: The Tabernacle (431 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Dominicuskerk (778 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Magna Plaza — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Tolhuistuin — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Het Majoor Bosshardthuis — 242 m · ~3 min walk
Mascini — 157 m · ~2 min walk
Speeltuin De Waag — 629 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 288 m · ~4 min walk
Apotheek H.W. van der Meulen — 326 m · ~4 min walk
Albert Heijn to go — 255 m · ~3 min walk
Centraal Station — 183 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATM machines at banks (e.g., ABN AMRO, ING) for the best rates; avoid the GWK Travelex bureaux in tourist spots and at Schiphol Airport, which charge high commissions and poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless (tap-to-pay) is the norm in shops, restaurants, and trams; American Express is accepted less often. Most supermarkets and small cafes prefer debit cards or cash.
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated: round up the bill at cafes/bars (e.g., €0.50–€1), leave 5–10% at restaurants if service is good, and round up taxi fares to the nearest €1–€2. Hotel staff do not expect tips, but €1–€2 per bag is fine for porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso or filter coffee from a cafe costs around €2–€3.50.
A simple broodje (sandwich) or soup from a lunchroom or bakery costs €5–€8.
A main course at an average mid-range restaurant costs €14–€18.
Albert Cuypmarkt (about 15–20 min tram ride from 1012AG) offers cheap herring, stroopwafels, and poffertjes; nearby Febo automats for €3–€5 snacks are common in the city centre.
Albert Heijn and Lidl are the main budget supermarkets in this area.
Affordable high-street shopping is along Kalverstraat (Zara, H&M) or at de Bijenkorf for mid-range; market clothing is at Waterlooplein flea market.
The cheapest way to get around is a GVB day pass (€9 for 24 hours) for trams/metro/buses; from Schiphol, take the direct train (€4.50 single) rather than taxis (€50+).
Buy a museumkaart (€64.90) if visiting 3+ major museums; avoid eating or drinking within 2 blocks of Dam Square or the Red Light District. Always buy tram tickets before boarding at a ticket machine or via the GVB app (fines on board).
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 Old Nickel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 288 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Apotheek H.W. van der Meulen — 326 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.
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 Old Nickel?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (facing away from Nieuwebrugsteeg). These floors avoid street-level bustle and the lift noise is minimal. The rear position gives a quieter outlook over inner courtyards.
Which rooms should I avoid at Old Nickel?
Avoid rooms on the first floor (street level) or those at the front directly above Nieuwebrugsteeg. The street is a narrow, busy tourist link between Damrak and the Red Light District, so early-morning deliveries and pedestrian chatter are loud. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft – the old lift can be clunky.
Is Old Nickel noisy?
Nieuwebrugsteeg is a pedestrian-priority street but has constant foot traffic from Damrak to the Red Light District. Early garbage collection (around 6am) clatters from nearby bars. Late-night rowdy groups are common, especially weekends. The hotel has no soundproofed windows – single glazing is typical for this age of building.
Which rooms have the best views at Old Nickel?
No grand view at this address: Nieuwebrugsteeg is a narrow alley off Damrak. A front room gives a close-up of the street life and a peek of the Old Church spire. Rear rooms see only brick walls or small courtyards – no canal vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Old Nickel?
1. Check in early afternoon (2–3pm) to secure a rear room; the front desk often assigns rooms on arrival. 2. If you need sleep, bring earplugs – the hotel won't stock them. There's no parking at the hotel; use the 'Damrak' parking garage (5 mins walk) but pre-book online to save 40%.
What time is check-in at Old Nickel?
Check-in at Old Nickel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Old Nickel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps download), login via room number; paid upgrade to 25 Mbps for €5 per day
Is there a city or tourist tax at Old Nickel?
€3.00 per person per night (7% of room rate, collected at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Old Nickel?
A simple broodje (sandwich) or soup from a lunchroom or bakery costs €5–€8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Old Nickel?
The cheapest way to get around is a GVB day pass (€9 for 24 hours) for trams/metro/buses; from Schiphol, take the direct train (€4.50 single) rather than taxis (€50+).
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
May and September: mild temperatures (15–20°C), long daylight hours, and far fewer crowds than July or August. June is good too, but it can get busy towards the end.
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.