The Hotel Pulitzer is a charming luxury property in the Canal Loop of Amsterdam. The hotel is made up of a block of 25 restored 17th and 18th century canal houses and is full of historic details. All rooms are unique with warm design touches such as exposed brick walls and wood floors. Most rooms are flooded with natural light, and some have canal views; those that don't overlook the hotel's garden. One drawback is a pesky fee for Wi-Fi in rooms, but it's free in the lobby and the small business center. The hotel has a grill restaurant, bar, wine salon, espresso bar, and 24-hour room service. In the warmer months, lunch and dinner can be eaten in the hotel's garden. There is also an art gallery and fitness center on-site. Besides having a location in one of the most picturesque areas of Amsterdam, the hotel is also within easy walking distance of popular sights such as Dam Square, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Red Light District. But guests can also choose to see the city from the hotel's boat, which is the very same vessel Winston Churchill chose to tour Amsterdam in 1946.

Canal House Hotel is a sumptuous 23-room boutique hotel towering above a canal in Amsterdam's Canal Ring district. The lovely brick front suggests something more traditional, but the interior is flashy and fashionable. Swanky rooms are among Amsterdam's most luxurious, and are decked out with rich purple fabrics and dark woods. More modest travelers might have an issue with the open layouts of some room types, though parts of the bathroom are enclosed. Throughout, bathrooms feature gorgeous tiling and modern basin sinks; many have soaking tubs as well as walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. The Great Room, an upscale lounge and dining space, gives guests access to books and games, and the hotel itself is only minutes away from canal tours, shopping, and local eateries.

The College Hotel is a sensuous, intimate four-pearl option in the Museum Quarter. It is appropriately named -- not only because it is housed in a historic school building, but because most of the staff members are hospitality students in training. Features are few -- there's no fitness center or spa on-site -- but there is a popular Bar & Lounge with a fireplace where afternoon tea is served, as well as a fine dining restaurant. Though the public spaces wow with their sultry sophistication, rooms aren't quite as impressive, with cramped layouts, too few electrical outlets, and mood lighting that many find too dim to be practical. Note that third floor rooms have slanted ceilings -- homey to some, a nuisance to others.

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.

Ambassade Hotel's lovely brick front is as inviting as its location in the picturesque (and convenient) Canal Ring neighorhood, across from a boat-lined canal. The hotel is tasteful and tidy, made up in classic Louis XV/XVI decor, though no area is the same in layout or appearance. The refined lobby features a shoeshine machine and umbrella collection for inclement weather. Rooms offer lovely views of the canal and cobblestone street and are adorned with rich furnishings, intricate mirrors, and carved furniture. Each room is different, and some charming suites have beamed, vaulted ceilings. The 58-room hotel features several amenities, including a Koan Float (which involves floating in saltwater in a stimuli-free capsule) and massage facilities. The breakfast room is classy with modern artwork (the hotel boasts an impressive art collection), and the lovely tables are topped with bright yellow calla lilies. Guests have access to a cozy library and computer room, and business associates can make use of the conference room, though it's in another building, as well as secreterial services and audio-visual equipment.

The Dylan is a stylish, upscale boutique centrally located in the Canal Ring. The 41 rooms are split into six different styles, ranging from lofts with cathedral ceilings to all-white rooms to Asian-inspired spaces. All rooms have high-end amenities including Bose sound systems, stocked minibars, and Zenology toiletries. A cozy lounge, two bars, a brasserie, and a lovely courtyard with heat lamps are all draws, but the real highlight here is the Michelin-star Vinkeles restaurant, which serves contemporary French cuisine in an exclusive space with just a handful of tables. While some rooms are quite small and rates are high year-round, the hotel does offer free Wi-Fi and some rooms have beautiful views overlooking the canals.

This romantic boutique hotel near the Anne Frank House has historical significance: It was once used as a safe house in WWII. The Toren family bought the property in 1968 and expanded it over time to include additional accommodations along the Keizersgracht canal. Today there are 38 rooms and suites ranging from smaller standard size, to more spacious deluxe size with Jacuzzi tubs and views of the garden or canal. For special occasions, guests can book one of the deluxe suites, bridal suites, or the "Garden Cottage," all which have double Jacuzzi tubs. Though each room is unique, they are decorated with the same sophisticated Toren touch combining rich hues, chandeliers, and ceiling paintings. Some have their own private terrace -- a nice perk for summer evening cocktails. For everyone else, there is a cozy bar on-site, and the hotel is affiliated with Christophe -- an acclaimed restaurant around the corner that delivers directly to guest rooms.

Away from the city's center in the De Pijp neighborhood, Aalborg Hotel offers 36 small yet comfortable rooms with a modern style. Each room looks different; for example, the Graffiti Room has cool black and blue graffiti art stenciled on the walls and ceiling, while others feature black-and-white framed photographs. However, amenities such as ceiling fans and tube TVs are older and could do with replacing, space is tight, and storage space is insufficient. The on-site 25th Hour Lounge sounds stylish and trendy, but it looks more like a glorified sports bar. Guests can grab a continental breakfast (for a fee) at the breakfast buffet, but it's quite small and the seating is minuscule. Off of the bar is the Mac Cafe, a computer cluster with three Mac desktops that guests can use free of charge during their stay. The hotel definitely has a sense of humor about it that resonates with the staff and the guests: no one takes themselves too seriously at this laidback, youthful hotel. A cool vibe is strived for, if it is not always delivered. The quiet and pretty location may be an upside for some; it's far from main attractions, but close to tram stations that will get visitors through the city quickly and efficiently.

Located in the Leidseplein area of Amsterdam -- a main tourist area that ultimately leads to Dam Square -- Acostar Hotel is a basic, affordable place that lacks amenities (including an elevator) despite being big on charm. Its stone front facade is aided by the quaint cobblestone street it sits on, and guests can rent bikes to visit the bevy of nearby shops, cafes, and art galleries. The lobby is a great indicator of the size of the rooms, which are smaller than those of a typical American college dorm. Each features a different relaxing color scheme, colorful artwork, and antique- or plastic-looking chairs that are more decorative than functional. Room decor varies by floor, with each espousing a different style and vibe; No two rooms are completely alike. The bathrooms are nice and contemporary with pretty iridescent tiles; some feature shower/tub combos while other have single shower stalls (these aren't closed off, which allows water to travel all over the bathroom). Free Wi-Fi is a nice perk, but overall this 30-room hotel might be best suited for a younger crowd looking for a cute but basic place to crash.

The 81-room Conscious Hotel Vondelpark is the sister hotel to the Conscious Hotel Museum Square, and has a similar trendy, quirky feel. The lobby here also features a vibrant green plant wall, but rustic wood floors and a small bar/lounge allow the space to feel a bit more warm and inviting. The guest rooms are a bit smaller than those at Museum Square, but they're bright, fresh, and comfortable with cozy beds adorned in crisp white bedding. Floral wall murals add a vibrant pop of color, and unique eco-conscious touches abound -- tables are made from recycled coffee cup holders, and the bathroom counters are actually constructed from a recycled pressed-paper material. The hotel does lack certain amenities, such as a fitness center, but guests have access to the nearby David Lloyd Overtoom fitness center for a daily fee. A stylish breakfast bar serves an organic breakfast, and afterward visitors can rent one of the electric scooters to traverse the city. It's a good value, despite the location in residential Vondelpark.