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This unique hotel’s love affair with philosophy goes beyond its name: philosophers stay and meet here regularly.

Once through the door, you leave the hurlyburly of the Nieuwe Zijde behind and enter a calm oasis redolent of the 19th century. Spacious rooms with empire furnishings are the epitome of plush.

Originally built for a ship’s captain and within hailing distance of the Amstel, an otherwise traditional interior has been given a dose of 1960s retro. Rooms in the De Munck are airy and clean, and there is both a bar and a garden.

With interior decoration in pinks, greys and blacks to reflect its Art Deco exterior, this long-established hotel near Leidseplein has more individuality than most.

In the same family for three generations, this elegant hotel mixes modern facilities with traditional surroundings and a warm atmosphere. Baby baths and high chairs are available, and babysitting. A new wing with 20 rooms should be ready in 2005.

Not a hotel but a service offering a variety of accomodation: an apartment on Nieuwe Achtergracht (near the Theater Carré), several studio apartments in the city centre, and an exclusively gay B&B on Vijzelstraat.

First opened in 1948, the Golden Bear has been a popular exclusively gay hotel ever since. With a pretty façade and 11 clean, neat rooms, some with shared facilities, it’s situated in Kerkstraat – a street in the Canal Ring where there are several other gay venues.

A sense of history pervades this hotel on the fringes of the Red Light District: the 17th-century building was designed for the Admiralty. It offers five-star comfort and is home to Café Roux.

In the same gay enclave of Kerkstraat, the Greenwich Village provides simple, friendly accommodation at a very reasonable price. There are 11 clean but plain bedrooms.

Its prime location on the lovely Herengracht, its prices and the warmth of its welcome make up for the (comfortable) rooms being rather on the small side.