The Sofitel is an upscale property in the heart of the Old Center. The building has a rich history; it has been both a 15th century convent and a city hall. The 177 rooms are contemporary and homey (though some are on the small side) and feature Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and wonderful beds. Bathrooms are sleek, and most have walk-in showers. Hotel features include a high-end spa with indoor heated pool, a modern fitness center, and Bridges Restaurant with a canal-side garden terrace for dining al fresco. Room service is on offer 24 hours a day and a kids' program includes baby toiletries and cribs.

The Convent Hotel Amsterdam is a friendly 148-room hotel with a unique history: It previously housed two monasteries from the 13th and 14th centuries. The beautiful entrance makes way to a comfortable but chain-like lobby, while The Duke of Windsor bar has a cozy "Orient Express" theme. There's no full restaurant on-site, but breakfast and room service are available. Other amenities include a business center and a sauna, which is attached to a sparsely equipped fitness center. This multi-use space can also be reserved for private massages. Guest rooms are clean, though a bit outdated in decor, and have modern touches such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Beds come with soft pillow-top mattresses, and windows let in lots of natural light. Tram and traffic noise can be heard, but light sleepers can request a room on the other side of the hotel (though views may face a brick wall). Lovers of original craftsmanship can request a room with a vaulted wood-beamed ceiling.

Swissotel may be a chain name, but this particular property in the heart of Amsterdam, across from Dam Square, feels more like a boutique hotel. With 109 rooms and suites donned in contemporary decor, it is a friendly option in a popular setting -- though it's a bit more upscale, and consequently more expensive, than some of the nearby hotels. Overall, it's simply decorated with neutral tones and minimalistic, contemporary furniture (though standard rooms feel more generic than the suites). Rooms include amenities such as a pillow menu, iPod/iPad docks, and spacious bathrooms -- of course, the glass-walled bathrooms in the suites seriously lack privacy. The main floor has a small lobby, business center, and bright fitness center, but the narrow setting lacks communal areas and dining options. There is a restaurant, Dam Plaza, in the same building, that is not officially part of the hotel, though it does offer a breakfast buffet. The red rental bikes strategically placed in front make the Swissotel easy to spot on the busy street, and they also offer a great way to tour around "the Venice of the North" -- a top priority for guests who typically stay here.

The 75-room Hotel CC is located in three historical monument buildings in Amsterdam's lively and racy Red Light District, and features attic-like rooms, narrow, steep stairways, and and a trendy lounge with a snack and drink area. There's no breakfast area, as in other nearby hotels, but it's close enough to cafes and other restaurants. Rooms have black-and-white color palettes, and in most, sleek, white work desks, circular black chairs, and cozy white beds; some have great views of the canal. Some are so small, however, that the beds stretch from wall to wall. The bathrooms are stylish and modern, with a cool gray design and walk-in showers (and in certain rooms, separate soaking tubs). There is no Wi-Fi, but guests do have free access to communal computers. All in all, it's one of the best deals in the Old Center.

Easily distinguishable because of its bright red doors, the Best Western Dam Square Inn is nestled on a quiet alley just outside of Dam Square. The comfortable lobby features a bar, and guests can enjoy free breakfast in the breakfast room. The rooms are casual -- which is expected of a hotel of this stature -- but they're well-equipped with standard amenities such as flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers. Although the decor is a bit dull, the rooms are comfortable and clean; beds are all extra-long. Most bathrooms feature a glass shower, but some rooms have a separate soaking tub as well. For parties traveling with more people, triple rooms have a Murphy bed. It's an affordable option for budget travelers, and rightly so -- guests mainly pay for the attractive locale.