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Recently renovated, this is an excellent two-star hotel in the Museum Quarter, with three- and four-bedded rooms. The yellow breakfast room is particularly jolly.

Steep stairs, simple rooms (some with epic canal views) and a pleasant breakfast room are a quarter of an hour’s walk away from the city centre, in Jordaan. The charming owners also offer self-catering studios, and a houseboat on a nearby canal.

Cheerful, friendly and simple, this canal house in Plantage has a welcoming attitude to children, with family rooms. Breakfast is no longer served (there are places nearby) but hot and cold drinks, fruit and cookies are on offer during the day.

Overlooking the Singel and conveniently close to the huge floating flower market, this small, intimate hotel also has a peaceful garden. Wooden beams, good furniture, new bathrooms and reasonable rates make this place hard to resist.

Parents may prefer old-world character, but children usually like their hotels to look spanking new, like this recently opened three-star hotel in the Canal Ring. Some rooms sleep three or four, and there is a brasserie for breakfast and snacks.

Overlooking the Herengracht, the Ambassade is truly comfortable and, not surprisingly, often full. Rambling through ten handsome merchant’s houses, it blends good antiques with excellent modern service. Popular with writers, the new library showcases signed copies of their work.

Exclusively gay, this old hotel has been vamped up by its new, young owners. The rooms are stylish, with red being the predominant colour, and some rooms have shared facilities. Breakfast is served until 1pm. It is close to the clubs and saunas.

The idea of staying on a boat has a certain charm, but the downside of the Amstel Botel is that the rooms (or cabins if you prefer) on this floating hotel are small, and even the view over the water is dull. The upside is getting three-star accommodation at a very reasonable price. Due to building work on Ooster- dokskade the Botel will be moored at Van Riems- dijkweg until 2008/2009.

Rub shoulders with monarchs and movie stars in Amsterdam’s grandest hotel, which just oozes opulence, from the spectacular hall to the pampering bedrooms. Enjoy the state-of-the-art gym, private motor launch and two Michelinstarred restaurant – but don’t even think about the bill.

This landmark hotel in a splendid Art Nouveau building is for those who want to be close to the action (see American Hotel).