Looking for a budget bed? Unfold Amsterdam's Steven McCarron tracks down the best, whether you want to be in the red light district or a quiet backwater? As featured in our Amsterdam city guideFlying Pig Uptown HostelSituated just off Vondelpark and the museum district, the Flying Pig Uptown was freshly refurbished in 2010 and is a fine alternative to the Flying Pig Downtown, the owners' ever-hectic flagship hostel in the red light district. Uptown you get the party-centric atmosphere with the detoxing properties of the Vondelpark next door ? you can even borrow inline skates to explore. The bar is always full; likewise the kitchen, where visitors bond over the stove. Unsurprisingly, this breeds an active space with guests coming and going at all hours. Be warned: the hostel is strict on its under-35s only policy, but if you're beyond that limit, you're unlikely to want to share a room with a horde of rowdy 18-year-olds.? Vossiusstraat 46, +31 20 400 4187, flyingpig.nl, queen-size bunk in shared room from ?25pp B&B, private doubles from ?85 B&BBackstage HotelYou can guess that the Backstage's owners are big music lovers from the hotel's name alone, and the interior drives the theme home ? guitars and memorabilia adorn the walls, and it's even sponsored by Jack Daniel's. Part of the concept comes from the location: minutes away from music venues Melkweg and Paradiso, the theatre district and a hearty selection of blues bars. The furniture is all inspired by flight cases, while light bulbs border mirrors to recreate that authentic dressing room vibe. There's even a four-person Guitar Hero room (yes, including the game) that's decked out in wall-to-wall original drawings by legendary Amsterdam tattooist Henk Schiffmacher.? Leidsegracht 114, +31 20 624 4044, backstagehotel.com, doubles ?77.50-?115 room onlyStayokay Hostel Amsterdam VondelparkWhether you've been to Amsterdam before or are heading for your first visit, chances are you'll find your way into favourite hippy hangout Vondelpark ? be it for lounging, picnicking, drinking, cycling or skating. This quirky schoolhouse-turned-hostel is virtually inside the park, located along a parallel lane, with many of the rooms looking down on to the grass. As hostels go, it's modern and refined, with hordes of uniformed staff ready to look after the hundreds of guests it can accommodate. Despite the high numbers coming through, it's extremely clean, making it a viable option for more than just backpackers.? Zandpad 5, +31 20 589 8996, stayokay.com, hostel beds from ?20pp B&B, private doubles from ?60 B&BBetween Art and Kitsch B&BA cute alternative to the design and boutique hotels blossoming all over town, this quirky B&B in De Pijp, just a short walk from dozens of museums, is lovingly decorated by its owners. Its three rooms embrace a mishmash of styles ? filled with antiques, curiosities and other seemingly random items picked up on travels, ranging from colonial cabinets and Arab rugs to neoclassical chandeliers. All rooms are equipped with en suite bathrooms, and there's a shared kitchen for all guests. As is so common in Amsterdam's budget range, however, you'll have to beware of the climb. It can feel like a stairway to hell to reach the third-floor rooms, especially when dragging your luggage.? Ruysdaelkade 75-2, +31 20 679 0485, between-art-and-kitsch.com, doubles from ?80 B&BChic&BasicBudget stays around Central Station are notoriously shoddy, but take a five-minute walk west and you'll find this honest little gem which is suitably chic and, well, basic. Situated on one of the quietest segments of the Herengracht, this canal house hotel has been renovated from a classic Mediterranean feel to the crispness of bright white walls and bedding with black trims and minimal furniture. Admittedly, there's an Ikea feel to the furnishings at times, but it's a solid, value-for-money option. And key details such as location, cleanliness, service and free internet terminals should make up for having a generic art print above your bed.? Herengracht 13-19, +31 20 522 2345, chicandbasic.com, doubles from ?90 B&B CitizenMThis new Dutch chain has been racking up praise, particularly since opening in Glasgow in 2010. It started in Amsterdam, first as an airport hotel at Schiphol, then in the south of the city. Although a boutique hotel at heart (the fancy Vitra furnishings are a giveaway), the quality service, luxury bedding and budget prices make this a haven for everyone from backpackers to business travellers. Every room is identical, with a wall-to-wall bed against the window, and futuristic glass toilet and shower off to the side. All tech features, including ambient coloured lighting, are controlled via the Philips MoodPad. Party people may feel out of sorts in this residential area, but the centre is only a short tram or train ride away.? Prinses Irenestraat 30, +31 20 811 7090, citizenmamsterdamcity.com, doubles from ?79 room onlyCityCenter Bed and BreakfastProving it's possible to find seclusion among the noise and action of the city centre, this delicate little B&B sits above a small side street between the rumbling trams on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and the bustle of the Nieuwendijk shopping street. As it's just five minutes from Central Station, you'll get a rare taste of central Amsterdam living with easy access to nearby attractions while avoiding the area's seedier hotels. The rooms have a clean, Swedish feel. The only minor downer is sharing the plush bathroom facilities with other guests, but given that there are only two rooms to rent, that isn't such a hardship. Besides, it's renowned for friendliness, comfort and cleanliness, and you'll feel waited on by owner Camillo.? Sint Jacobsstraat 21, +31 64 516 0078, citycenter-amsterdam.com, doubles from ?90 B&BHans Brinker Budget HotelThis place is all about location and price: a quiet courtyard on the doorstep of nightlife-saturated Leidseplein. Brinker is as budget as budget gets, a fact famously exploited in the long-running marketing campaign which boasts that it's "a cheap, dirty, cold, poorly-lit youth hostel" with "rusty beds in awkwardly-shaped dormitories" and used paper flags stuck into dog excrement throughout the city exclaiming that more of the same could be found at the hostel's entrance. The sleeping quarters, with their closely arranged metal bunks and lockers, call to mind the set of Porridge, and the rooms are awkwardly shaped, but the place is surprisingly tidy. It's the perfect place for younger travellers who are likely to fall asleep in one of the surrounding bars anyway.? Kerkstraat 136-138, +31 20 622 0687, hans-brinker.com , hostel beds from ?25pp B&B, twin room ?80 B&BSt Christopher's at the Winston Like its adjoining pub and club, the Winston hotel/hostel is dripping with character. On the edge of the red light district, it's surrounded by S&M clubs, coffee shops, bars and restaurants. But Dam Square and more cultural outings are only a short walk away. The cheapest options are the hostel rooms, but don't expect much sleep there. Instead, splash out on a private room for a unique stay in Amsterdam as each room has been customised by local artists. From bold street art murals and drug-inspired scribbles to debauched red light vibes that will haunt you even after you close your eyes, you're unlikely to forget the experience. ? Warmoesstraat 129, +31 20 623 1380, winston.nl, hostel beds from ?14.90pp B&B, private doubles from ?74 B&BStayokay Hostel Amsterdam ZeeburgThis ultra-modern hostel opened in 2007 and offers spacious rooms (shared and private), attractive interior design that uses orange tones without the eye-watering issues of easyHotel, a large glistening dining area, and excellent toilets and showers. As in all Stayokay hostels, staff are well-trained professionals who look after the public spaces day and night. But where it differs from other hostel options is its location in the east of the city. Off the beaten tourist track, it gives a taste of the real multicultural city, for example at the nearby Dappermarkt. The building is shared with Studio K, a bar/restaurant/cinema/club, and a bike rental shop, so you can cycle to the centre in only minutes. ? Timorplein 21, +31 20 551 3190, stayokay.com, hostel beds from ?20pp B&B, private doubles from ?50 B&B? Steven McCarron is an editor of Unfold Amsterdam, a poster publication and website about what's on in AmsterdamHotelsHostelsBudget travelAmsterdamShort breaksCity breaksTop 10sNetherlandsguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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