We assumed that accommodation prices would be more affordable as you move away from France. However, we were surprised to find that hotel costs were still high. To manage our budget, we decided to divide our stay between two locations, which helped us save on accommodation, transportation expenses, and time.
Our original plan included visiting The Hague, Delft, Amsterdam, and Zaanse Schans. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make time for Delft. Initially, we considered basing ourselves in Amsterdam to cover all these destinations. However, after conducting thorough research, we decided to split our stay into two parts: staying in The Hague for The Hague and Delft, and in Amsterdam for Amsterdam and Zaanse Schans.
We prioritized finding hotels close to public transportation and markets while staying within a budget of ~$200 per night, including breakfast and fully refundable bookings. Finding a hotel in this range was easier in The Hague but proved challenging in Amsterdam’s city center. On Mihir’s brother’s recommendation, we booked a hotel in Hoofddorp. During our research, we discovered other well-connected areas like Haarlem and Zaandam, which are great alternatives for budget-conscious travelers.
The Hague: Ibis Den Haag City Centre
Booking:
We booked our stay through the Accor official website, opting for a breakfast-inclusive, refundable rate for a triple-bedded room. We paid the amount at the time of check-in, with a one-night stay costing $185.
Location:
The hotel’s excellent location was highly recommended in many Google reviews. From Den Haag Central Station – where we reached via a FlixBus, it was easy to get to the hotel by tram. Although it took us some time to understand the HTM tram system, the hotel was just two tram stops and a five-minute walk away. Nearby, there were convenience stores, tram stations, Grote Markt, Le Passage, Binnenhof, and plenty of eateries.
Check-in & Room Details:
We arrived at the hotel around 4:30 p.m., and the check-in process was smooth, with cooperative staff at the reception. Our room on the 7th floor offered a fantastic city view. While the room met basic requirements, we weren’t entirely happy with the bathroom setup. It was barrel-shaped and quite small. Additionally, a few shelves were dusty, indicating they hadn’t been cleaned for days. We also had to request a kettle as it wasn’t available in the room.
After freshening up, we headed out for an early dinner and later visited the Scheveningen Pier and Binnenhof. By 9:30 p.m., we returned to our room and retired for the night.
The next morning, we enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the hotel café. While the spread was decent, it didn’t match the variety we had experienced at Ibis Brussels. After checking out, we stored our luggage in the hotel’s storeroom and picked it up later in the day.
Overall Experience:
Our stay at Ibis Den Haag City Centre was average, primarily due to the bathroom setup and housekeeping.
Summary:
Booking process and check-in: Smooth
Room and amenities: As per expectation, except for the bathroom design.
Housekeeping & Service: Some room for improvement
Location: Good, not the best.
Value for Money:
Overall Rating: We will consider it for our next visit only after evaluating other options near the Den Haag Central.
Amsterdam: Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Booking:
We booked this hotel through MakeMyTrip and the Accor official website. Both bookings were refundable and included breakfast. Since MakeMyTrip offered a better price, we eventually canceled the Accor booking.
Location:
Located in Hoofddorp, the hotel is conveniently close to the Schiphol Airport. The Hoofddorp Sprinter Station, just a two-minute walk away, connects you to Amsterdam Central in 35 minutes and Schiphol Airport in 10 minutes.
Check-in & Room Details:
We arrived at the hotel around 4:30–5:00 p.m. and waited about 10 minutes for check-in. The reception area had a café bustling with office employees enjoying their evening. There was also a grab-and-go shop with a self-pay counter near the reception area and an ice dispenser on our floor.
Our room on the 11th floor exceeded expectations with its spacious layout and large bathroom. It featured a double bed, a sofa bed, a minibar, a kettle, a locker, a desk, and a mini-fridge. The view from the room’s window was a highlight—we enjoyed watching planes take off and land at the airport.
Breakfast:
The breakfast spread was impressive, offering a wide variety of breads, spreads, pancakes, salads, tea, coffee, juices, and more. We highly recommend booking a breakfast-inclusive stay, as it’s a perfect way to start your day.
Checkout:
On our checkout day, we requested a late checkout, which was granted. However, we were slightly delayed in vacating the room, and the housekeeping staff waited at the door until we left. While this was somewhat annoying, we understand it was their duty and consider the delay our fault.
Overall Experience:
This was the best hotel on this trip. Although initially we were skeptical about staying in the outskirts, we realized that good public transportation can make such locations an excellent and cost-effective choice. For transportation, we purchased full-day passes that covered trams, buses, and sprinters. The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket proved a convenient option, and we bought it through official websites.
Final Thoughts
Our experience in the Netherlands taught us the value of proper research and flexibility in planning. By staying in areas outside city centers and leveraging the efficient public transportation system, we saved significantly on accommodation costs while still enjoying convenient access to major attractions.
Summary:
Booking process and check-in: Smooth
Room and amenities: Spacious room. Grear airport view from the 11th floor.
Housekeeping & Service: No complaints!
Location: Convenient.
Value for Money:
Overall Rating: Highly recommended. We will surely consider staying there if we ever get to visit Amsterdam again.
You may like to read about how we spent our time in Den Haag and Amsterdam.
If you liked reading this post or find it useful, please like, share, and subscribe.
We would love to hear from you. Use comments to share your thoughts!
One Plus One Three 