10 best family-friendly hotels in Amsterdam

Despite its less than wholesome reputation, Amsterdam is a great destination for a family holiday. As long as you know which parts of the city to avoid, there’s lots to see and plenty to do with kids while you’re there.

From canal-side cycling to fascinating museums, you won’t be short of things to keep you and the kids entertained in the Dutch capital. As with many old cities, finding a hotel that’s set up to welcome families with kids makes a real difference to your time away, and we’ve turned to the well-travelled Mumsnetters for first-hand advice on the best places to stay.

What are the best family hotels in Amsterdam?

• Best overall: Hotel Sebastains

• Best for budget breaks: Volkshotel

• Best for luxury: Kimpton de Witt

• Best with a pool: Park Plaza Victoria Hotel

• Best apartment: Erik Vökel Suites

1. Best overall hotel: Hotel Sebastains

Hotel Sebastains | Check availability

"We always stay at the hotel Sebastian in Amsterdam. It's lovely, friendly and a good location." - recommended by Mumsnet user, timetodance

"We stayed here in a family room. Nice little hotel (think breakfast was free for kids), great location near Anne Frank's house. Fairly reasonably priced compared to a lot of Amsterdam hotels. People rave about it on TripAdvisor!" - rated by Mumsnet user, Jimjam68

Set in a converted canal house, Hotel Sebastians has a central location, scenic views and a peaceful locale. The hotel offers bike rental, and you’re no more than a short walk from landmarks like Dam Square and Anne Frank’s House.

Splash out on a luxury family room with a view of the hotel’s garden - the rooms are generously sized and have a spacious en-suite bathroom. There are lots of child-friendly extras at Sebastians, including buggy hire and board games available on request. There's parking available nearby but it’s eye-wateringly expensive, so it’s best to take a taxi or request a shuttle service.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (7 miles)

2. Best cheap hotel: Volkshotel

Volkshotel | Check availability

"The Volkshotel in the east tends to be a bit cheaper and is good value. It's only a few minutes on the metro to the centre or a slightly longer (but scenic) trip on the tram" - recommended by Mumsnet user, dannydyerismydad

The rooms at the Volks Hotel are decorated in a cool, minimalist style, making this both a bargainous and stylish choice for your family holiday. A family room features a queen-sized bed at floor level, with two single beds on a mezzanine level.

The hotel is less than 50 metres from Wibautstraat Metro station, so it’s easily accessible by public transport. There’s a rooftop spa with open-air hot tubs, and yoga classes available to book.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (7 miles)

3. Best cool hotel: Conscious Hotel

Conscious Hotel | Check availability

"The conscious hotel by the Van Gogh museum is pretty good. They do triple rooms which makes them good value" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Buggerbrexit

Set right in the cultural centre of Amsterdam, Conscious Hotel has been awarded a Green Key Gold for its environmental responsibility. It serves delicious organic breakfasts and you can hire bikes from the front desk for €15 per day. Catch a bus from Schiphol airport and it’ll drop you right outside the hotel.

Rooms are tastefully decorated, with stylish details. Families can opt for a triple room with a large double bed and a single bed, plus you can add a cot for a small extra charge.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (6 miles)

4. Best luxury hotel: Kimpton de Witt

Kimpton de Witt | Check availability

"We stayed at the Kimpton de Witt. A bit pricey but easy walking distance from the station and such a lovely hotel. The TripAdvisor reviews will vouch for it!! Lots of people laughed at us when we said we were going to Amsterdam with children but we had a wonderful time, it will always be a special place to me" - recommended by Mumsnet user, PizzaPlanet

For a touch of luxury in the heart of Amsterdam, Mumsnetters recommend Kimpton de Witt, just 300 metres from Amsterdam Central Station. The impressive 274-room hotel offers free WiFi and free bike hire, yoga mats in every room and free tea in the lobby.

There are lots of options when it comes to family rooms, from two double-bed rooms to suites. There’s a babysitting service and pets are allowed at no extra charge, plus the hotel will even provide dog beds for four-legged guests.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (12 miles)

5. Best hotel with interconnecting rooms: Mövenpick Hotel

Mövenpick Hotel | Check availability

"We liked Movenpick because the family rooms are actually made up of an interconnecting double and twin which meant that we weren't all in the same space. We could talk and have the light on once the kids were asleep! A good option for tweens who appreciate as both you and they get some privacy!" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Ricekrispie22

On the edge of the river IJ, the Movenpick Hotel has lovely views across the water. Go for a connecting family room and enjoy the space and privacy of your own hotel room while the kids sleep safely next door.

The hotel is a stone’s throw from the NEMO Science Museum, which comes highly recommended by Mumsnetters. However, some reviewers say the location is a bit further out than they’d have liked, for visiting central Amsterdam.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (8 miles)

6. Best hotel with a pool: Park Plaza Victoria Hotel

Victoria Hotel | Check availability

"Victoria Hotel has a swimming pool and is really central, opposite the train station" - recommended by Mumsnet user, ChariotsofFish

If swimming a few laps in a luxury pool is an essential part of any holiday, Park Plaza Victoria Hotel is a great choice for your family trip to Amsterdam. As with many historic cities, space is at a premium in Amsterdam, so not many hotels can boast a swimming pool. The hotel offers a choice of connecting rooms, sofa beds and separate rooms for families, so you’re able to book a stay that’s just right for you.

Nearest airport: Schiphol, 7 miles

7. Best hotel for views: Hotel Estherea

Hotel Estherea | Check availability

"Hotel Estherea, such a cute hotel with all bedrooms individually decorated. Looks out onto the canals. Plus some of the nicest hot chocolate I've ever tasted on tap in the lobby all day long" - recommended by Mumsnet user, ouch321

On the banks of the Singel canal, Hotel Estherea is a dreamy setting for your family break in Amsterdam. The area is quiet but central, and Mumsnetters urge you to try the free hot chocolate in the lobby - plus there’s even a little library and colouring books available for kids.

Rooms are decorated in a chintzy romantic style, with family rooms only sleeping three, but you can book interconnecting rooms if you need more space.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (7 miles)

8 Best apartment: Erik Vökel Suites

Erik Vökel Suites | Check availability

Travelling with kids can be stressful. For some, the luxury of hotel service takes away that stress, but for others, having your own kitchen and plenty of space to spread out in makes trips away with the family so much more easy and fun. An apartment like one at Erik Vokel Suites gives you that home-from-home feeling with all the style of a hotel - not to mention an excellent central location. One-bedroom apartments sleep four with a double room and sofa bed, while two- and three-bedroom suites offer more space to relax in. The apartments are well placed near to the NEMO museum and some suites offer views over the rover IJ.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (8 miles)

9. Best hotel for babies and toddlers: Linden Hotel

Linden Hotel | Check availability

"We stayed at the Linden Hotel when we went with DD last year - had a lovely weekend and walked everywhere. The hotel does breakfast but there's also a lovely café round the corner that we had breakfast it - but it's popular, so booking recommended or get there reasonably early" - recommended by Mumsnet user, snowgirl1

Found in the hip Jordaan district, the Linden Hotel is a popular, very family-friendly mid-priced hotel that Mumsnetters highly recommend. Set in an 18th-century ‘flatiron’ building, the hotel’s friendly staff will take care of everything, making it a great choice for seeing Amsterdam with a baby or toddler. The location is quiet but central, and the rooms are cosy, stylish and peaceful. It’s best to call ahead if you need cots or other extras, as not all rooms can accommodate them.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (7 miles)

10. Best hotel with large rooms: StayOkay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark

StayOkay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark | Check availability

"Stayokay hostel is right next to the Vondelpark. It's lovely - bright, modern, and clean. We walked everywhere from there and had an amazing time in Amsterdam" - recommended by Mumsnet user, dorothymichaels

Bright, bustling and budget-friendly, the StayOkay hostel in Amsterdam’s popular Vondelpark district offers private rooms to sleep up to six people, each with its own bathroom. Rooms are simple and quirkily decorated, with plenty of storage, a little table and chairs. Bunk beds are the order of the day, unless you opt for the quadruple family room, which has two single beds that can be pushed together. If it’s a clean, comfortable place to crash after a busy day of sightseeing that you’re after, this may just be the hotel for you.

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Schiphol (6 miles)

Is Amsterdam good for families?

Amsterdam is a very family-friendly city. Famed for its cycling culture, it’s safe and easy to get around, whether on foot or on two wheels. There are plenty of great parks, brilliant museums and kids are generally very welcome in cafes and restaurants.

Mumsnetters say it’s very easy to avoid the red light district, and that you’d never accidentally wander into it. On the other hand, sex shops and legalised cannabis are harder to steer clear of entirely.

What’s the best area to stay in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a tiny city, so wherever you end up staying, you’ll be within easy reach of all there is to see and experience. These are the most-recommended parts of Amsterdam for families:

• Vondelpar: in the Oud Zud (Old South) area is Amsterdam’s answer to Central Park. Leafy and full of families, this is a great place to stay for your family trip

• Canal district: right in the centre of the city, the Canal District is home to many of the more luxurious hotels. You’re bound to have a museum or historic landmark on your doorstop if you stay here

• Jordaan: hip and untouristy, Jordaan is full of authentic Dutch character.

What’s the best family-friendly hotel in Amsterdam?

The best family-friendly hotel in Amsterdam is Hotel Sebastians. Mumsnetters recommend it for its central location, comfortable rooms and array of child-friendly extras.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what family hotels in Amsterdam were being recommended.

We then did some online research, looking at which Amsterdam hotels had won accolades or had been featured in 'best choice' lists, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best places to stay for families in Amsterdam at the moment.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.