By the Where to Stay in Amsterdam editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay near a park. The Plantage in Oost has Artis Zoo and the Hortus Botanicus, and the streets around Vondelpark put you next to the city's biggest park and a walk from the Rijksmuseum. Our pick is the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside on the Amstel, with a heated indoor pool and studios and lofts that sleep two adults and two children.
For a canal-house splurge, the Pulitzer has family rooms and suites. For self-catering, Zoku and Numa have kitchens, and the Catalonia Vondel has a two-bedroom apartment by the park. On a budget, children up to 12 stay free with their parents at Motel One Waterlooplein, and Hotel de Looier has quadruple rooms.
The Best Family Bases Compared
| Base | Best for | Downsides |
|---|---|---|
| Vondelpark and the Museum Quarter | The park, the Rijksmuseum, quiet nights | A tram ride to the old center |
| Plantage and Oost | Artis Zoo, bigger rooms, apartments | Further from the Jordaan and the Anne Frank House |
| De Pijp | Sarphatipark, the Albert Cuyp market, the metro | Busy streets around the market |
| Jordaan | A walk to the Anne Frank House, small canals | Small rooms and steep stairs in older hotels |
| Noord | Space, free ferry rides, budget family rooms | A ferry or metro ride to everything |
Best Family Splurges
A pool on the Amstel or family suites in canal houses.
Pestana Amsterdam Riverside
Amsteldijk, on the Amstel, De Pijp
Our top pick: a heated indoor pool and studios and lofts for two adults and two children, on the Amstel.
Best for: Families and river views
- Heated indoor pool and sauna
- Studios and lofts for families of four
- River-view rooms and suites
More about this hotel
Set in the former Nieuwer-Amstel town hall, two 1892 buildings with modern annexes, on the Amstel at the eastern edge of De Pijp. It has a heated indoor pool and studios and lofts that sleep two adults and two children.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Fons Heijnsbroek, CC0
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Prinsengracht, Nine Streets, Canal Ring
Family rooms and suites in linked canal houses, for a Canal Ring splurge.
Best for: Classic canal-house luxury
- 25 linked canal houses with inner gardens
- Restaurant Jansz. and Pulitzer's Bar
- Family rooms and suites
More about this hotel
Twenty-five restored 17th- and 18th-century canal houses between the Prinsengracht and the Keizersgracht, linked by quiet inner gardens. The Nine Streets shops and the Anne Frank House are a few minutes' walk away.
Best Apartments and Family Rooms
Kitchens, second bedrooms and rooms for three or four.
Catalonia Vondel Amsterdam
Vondelstraat, near Vondelpark, Oud-West
A two-bedroom apartment that sleeps four, 300 meters from Vondelpark.
Best for: Families near the park
- 300 m from Vondelpark
- Restaurant Joost, open daily
- Triple rooms and a two-bedroom apartment
More about this hotel
Seven early 20th-century Art Nouveau buildings on the Vondelstraat, 300 meters from Vondelpark and about 10 minutes' walk from Museumplein. A two-bedroom apartment sleeps four.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Alf van Beem, Public domain
Zoku Amsterdam
Weesperstraat, near the Plantage, Amsterdam Oost
Lofts with full kitchens, about five minutes from the Plantage and Artis Zoo.
Best for: Longer stays and families of three
- Lofts with a full kitchen
- Rooftop bar and terraces
- XXL loft sleeps three
More about this hotel
Lofts with a full kitchen and a four-person table, plus a rooftop restaurant, bar and terraces, about five minutes from the Plantage. The XXL loft adds a second bedroom and sleeps three.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0
Numa Amsterdam Docklands
Cruquiusweg, Eastern Docklands, Amsterdam Oost
Apartments with kitchens and guest washing machines in the Eastern Docklands.
Best for: Families who self-cater
- Kitchens with hob, oven and dishwasher
- Guest washing machines
- On-site parking
More about this hotel
Apartments with hobs, ovens and dishwashers on the Cruquiusweg in the Eastern Docklands, plus guest washing machines and on-site parking. It suits families and longer stays more than short city breaks.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Mr. Jordaan
Bloemgracht, Jordaan
Triple rooms on the Bloemgracht, for a family of three in the Jordaan.
Best for: Staying in the Jordaan proper
- On the Bloemgracht canal
- Canal-view double rooms
- Triple rooms for families or friends
More about this hotel
A small hotel on the Bloemgracht, one of the Jordaan's prettiest canals, about a 10-minute walk from Dam Square. Rooms are compact, but there are canal-view doubles and triples for families.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Milliped, CC BY-SA 3.0
Best Budget Family Stays
Free stays for younger children, quad rooms and hostel family rooms.
Motel One Amsterdam-Waterlooplein
Waterlooplein, Old Center
Children up to 12 stay free in their parents' room, near Waterlooplein.
Best for: Design on a budget
- Family One rooms with a chair bed
- Children up to 12 stay free with parents
- Organic breakfast buffet
More about this hotel
A budget design hotel near Waterlooplein and the Nieuwmarkt, with a lounge bar designed with Piet Hein Eek. Family rooms add a chair bed, and children up to 12 stay free in their parents' room.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Floralinde, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hotel de Looier
Looiersdwarsstraten, south Jordaan
Triple and quadruple rooms with breakfast in the southern Jordaan.
Best for: Families and groups on a budget
- Triple and quadruple rooms
- Daily breakfast in the breakfast room
- Bike rental and 24-hour front desk
More about this hotel
A simple hotel in a quiet corner of the southern Jordaan, close to the Leidsegracht. Triple and quadruple rooms and a daily breakfast make it good value for families and groups.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: acediscovery, CC BY 4.0
Hotel Hegra (Stanley Collection)
Herengracht, Nine Streets, Canal Ring
Triple and quadruple rooms in a Herengracht canal house; ask about the stairs.
Best for: A central canal base for less
- Private bathroom in every room
- Triple and quadruple rooms
- Some canal-view rooms
More about this hotel
A small budget hotel in a canal house on the Herengracht, on the edge of the Nine Streets. Every room has a private bathroom, and triple and quadruple rooms suit small groups and families.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY 4.0
Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark
Zandpad, in Vondelpark, Museum Quarter
Private rooms with bathrooms at the main Vondelpark entrance.
Best for: Budget families and backpackers
- Next to the main Vondelpark entrance
- Private rooms and dorms, each with a bathroom
- Restaurant and bar
More about this hotel
A big hostel next to the main entrance of Vondelpark, with dorms and private rooms that each have a bathroom, plus a restaurant and bar. Under-18s can stay only in private rooms, which makes it workable for families on a budget.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: thierrytutin, CC BY 2.0
ClinkNOORD
By the Buiksloterweg ferry, Amsterdam Noord
Four-bed family rooms, five minutes from Centraal by free ferry.
Best for: Budget families and backpackers
- Five minutes by free ferry from Centraal
- Female-only dorms
- Family rooms with four beds
More about this hotel
A big hostel five minutes from Centraal Station by free ferry, with mixed and female-only dorms, private rooms that sleep up to six, a bar and a 24-hour café. Four-bed family rooms make it one of the better hostels for families.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: ClinkHostels, CC BY-SA 4.0
Family Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Pestana Amsterdam RiversideAmsteldijk, on the Amstel, De Pijp · SplurgeFamilies and river viewsCheck prices -
Pulitzer AmsterdamPrinsengracht, Nine Streets, Canal Ring · SplurgeClassic canal-house luxuryCheck prices -
Catalonia Vondel AmsterdamVondelstraat, near Vondelpark, Oud-West · Mid-rangeFamilies near the parkCheck prices -
Zoku AmsterdamWeesperstraat, near the Plantage, Amsterdam Oost · Mid-rangeLonger stays and families of threeCheck prices -
Numa Amsterdam DocklandsCruquiusweg, Eastern Docklands, Amsterdam Oost · Mid-rangeFamilies who self-caterCheck prices -
-
Motel One Amsterdam-WaterloopleinWaterlooplein, Old Center · BudgetDesign on a budgetCheck prices -
Hotel de LooierLooiersdwarsstraten, south Jordaan · BudgetFamilies and groups on a budgetCheck prices -
Hotel Hegra (Stanley Collection)Herengracht, Nine Streets, Canal Ring · BudgetA central canal base for lessCheck prices -
Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam VondelparkZandpad, in Vondelpark, Museum Quarter · BudgetBudget families and backpackersCheck prices -
ClinkNOORDBy the Buiksloterweg ferry, Amsterdam Noord · BudgetBudget families and backpackersCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Pestana Amsterdam Riverside
Riverside hotel
|
Amsteldijk, on the Amstel, De Pijp | Splurge | Families and river views | Check prices |
|
|
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Canal-house hotel
|
Prinsengracht, Nine Streets, Canal Ring | Splurge | Classic canal-house luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Catalonia Vondel Amsterdam
Art Nouveau hotel
|
Vondelstraat, near Vondelpark, Oud-West | Mid-range | Families near the park | Check prices |
|
|
Zoku Amsterdam
Aparthotel
|
Weesperstraat, near the Plantage, Amsterdam Oost | Mid-range | Longer stays and families of three | Check prices |
|
|
Numa Amsterdam Docklands
Aparthotel
|
Cruquiusweg, Eastern Docklands, Amsterdam Oost | Mid-range | Families who self-cater | Check prices |
|
|
Mr. Jordaan
Boutique canal hotel
|
Bloemgracht, Jordaan | Mid-range | Staying in the Jordaan proper | Check prices |
|
|
Motel One Amsterdam-Waterlooplein
Budget design hotel
|
Waterlooplein, Old Center | Budget | Design on a budget | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel de Looier
Simple hotel
|
Looiersdwarsstraten, south Jordaan | Budget | Families and groups on a budget | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Hegra (Stanley Collection)
Small canal-house hotel
|
Herengracht, Nine Streets, Canal Ring | Budget | A central canal base for less | Check prices |
|
|
Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark
Hostel
|
Zandpad, in Vondelpark, Museum Quarter | Budget | Budget families and backpackers | Check prices |
|
|
ClinkNOORD
Hostel
|
By the Buiksloterweg ferry, Amsterdam Noord | Budget | Budget families and backpackers | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Tips for Traveling with Kids
- Ask about stairs and lifts. Many canal-house hotels have steep, narrow stairs and no elevator. With a stroller or heavy bags, ask before you book, or choose a newer hotel.
- Book family rooms early. Triple and quadruple rooms are limited, especially in small hotels, and go first around King's Day (April 27, or April 26 when the 27th is a Sunday) and school holidays.
- Book museums ahead. The Rijksmuseum is free for under-18s, but every visitor needs a ticket with a start time. Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House tickets are sold online only, for set time slots.
- Watch for bikes. Bike lanes run along many streets and bikes move fast. Teach kids to check before stepping off the sidewalk.
- Ride the ferries. The GVB ferries across the IJ from behind Centraal Station are free for pedestrians, and they make an easy outing.
- Hostels: at the Stayokay Vondelpark, under-18s can stay only in private rooms, not dorms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.