From Grantham, it's easy peasy on the train to Kings X. St Pancras next door. Eurostar to Koln. For winners.

Originally Posted by roadster280

Now the Mrs has looked at Amsterdam, she's noticed the Dutch authorities are clamping down a bit in the Red Light District, and she's not sure if she wants 2 nights there. I am blessed with a wife whose mind is just as dirty as mine

The so called Red Light District / Sailor's Quarter has always been shit. Most of it is conciously done to provide cheap thrills for tourists from Kentucky and Walsall. Even my mother went on a bus tour around the area.

You're right though; Amsterdam has been trying to tart up it's image for a while now. If you go there expecting sin city you'll likely be severely disappointed. It is, however, still the most liberal city in Europe and you can find anything you're after if you take the time to turn over a few stones.

Amsterdam hotel ? Try " the mint hotel" . It's new , it's in the centre was very well priced last year . Sister hotels in Leeds and Manchester . The " sky lounge " bar on top of the hotel is a good place to have a drink and get the lay of the land , as it must be the highest bar in the city .

Cheers for that. It is apparently now the Doubletree Amsterdam. Ordinarily that would be good news, as I am a Diamond Hilton whore, but it's still EUR 200 a night. About EUR 50 over the odds, as far as I can see.

Originally Posted by roadster280

Cheers for that. It is apparently now the Doubletree Amsterdam. Ordinarily that would be good news, as I am a Diamond Hilton whore, but it's still EUR 200 a night. About EUR 50 over the odds, as far as I can see.

Ok it was like that when I checked on line; I rang them and got a very good price [sub 100eu i recall] The lady on the desk said you can get better deals thro some of the online "last minute " websites.

We were ther the first month it opened and arrived bedraggled after having brought a yacht over from hull [another story...] so there may have been a degree of sympathy for our plight !

when we left the desk manager directed us to the train station and told us which train to catch to schipol. we struggled off with rucksacks, seaboots etc . half an hour later we were on the train waiting for it to pull out. The desk manager from the hotel then appeared [in full rig] and handed me my camera I had left on the desk. He had run up after us...Girlfriend and I most impressed!

Hope you enjoy amsterdamn ! [best restaurant for a treat is the "5 flies " [3?]their tasting menu is quite good and not all ham and cheese !]

good luck

Probably not what you are looking for but when i am working there* I usually head to Leidseplein. It has a culture of its own. Without the tacky seediness which just annoys me now about Amsterdam (but I still like a look of course...just to err keep an eye on things.) Its central but just far away from Dam Square etc to be apart. there is a huge Hilton next to the Heineken brewery there. Not bad. Probably in your price range. Lots of other options around there too ...even B&Bs etc. There is a great bar round there called Oasis I think...ifyou like rock n roll is brilliant. Live music, pool and they keep the glasses in the freezer to ensure ice cold beers. My mistake its called Waterhole :

http://www.waterhole.nl/

Might not be what you need but 'its all i got man'
have fun. learn the dutch for thanks and stuff they'll love you for it.

Leidseplein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

* usually engineering orientated...not as a man whore.