Expat guide on temporary accommodation in Amsterdam
Because of the nature of housing in Amsterdam, serviced apartments are scattered throughout the city, generally in canal houses that have been converted into hotel-style accommodation. Apart from the high season (roughly speaking May-August), short stay apartments or temporary accommodtions are easy to find. Even in high season it is far easier to find a short stay apartment than a hotel. Generally speaking, these apartments are kept to a very high standard and are often stylishly decorated. Typical prices range from about €1500 per month for a studio apartment to €2600 per month for a two or three-bedroom apartment in the Centrum area, but prices can go as high as you care to follow them.
Almost all providers of short stay apartments for temporary accommodations have internet booking services (including the ones below). Providers of service apartments include:
A1 Appartment Services
Catering for employees of foreign companies on short term assignments in the Netherlands. This company aims to create a home away from home atmosphere and, by all accounts, they succeed. Laundry, internet and TV are all included. The only drawbacks are that the properties may not all be family friendly and it’s difficult to get a preview of what to expect from their website. Minimum daily rate is €120/day and €2400/month.
http://www.apartmentservices.nl/EN/short_rental_amsterdam_and.htm
Expat Rentals
A collection of Amsterdam apartments and real estate for rent from thousands of agents and owners. Useful tools, such as the advanced mapping system allows you to quickly find your next rental. Some properties, however, are outdated.
http://www.expatrentals.eu/
StayAmsterdam.com
Although their website feels a bit like a budget airline’s, they have prime locations. They list a wide range of apartments in locations that are relatively central and unquestionably picturesque. However, the keyword is ‘list’. They facilitate your booking on behalf of the owner and, as such, are less accountable to the properties than some other providers. For this reason, services are not the same across the board; check individual listings for internet, laundry, etc.
Tel: 020 8080790
http://stayamsterdam.com/
Pararius
Pararius are difficult to beat on price but that’s a lot to do with the locations they offer. Some can be quite far out and the standards for decor and facilities would not always be as high as some of their competitors. Nevertheless they deal with some nice apartments and staying outside of the center will provide you with the opportunity to get better acquainted with the city. Not all apartments will be internet ready and don’t assume that laundry facilities are included either.
http://www.pararius.com/english/short_stay.php?lvl1=6
Amsterdam House
If you don’t mind being in the thick of the action ‘Amsterdam House’ is an excellent choice, although some visitors may find their locations a bit too party oriented. That said, you do have immediate access to some of the most visited attractions in Amsterdam. For very short stays this is a good choice, longer term it may be worth looking elsewhere. Ask ahead of time about internet availability.
http://www.amsterdamhouse.com/
