Central location in the historic Canal Ring, walking distance to the city's main train station
Elaborate, Asian-themed room decor
Free breakfast (delivered to guests)
Whimsical touches like towels folded into origami shapes
Free Wi-Fi
Housed in a historic building dating to 1777
Intimate, with just four rooms
Children under eight not allowed (con for some)
No elevator; guests must climb the stairs to their rooms
Stairs and hallways are narrow and don't allow for a reception or lobby space
Bathrooms have showers only
Cats living on the premises could trigger allergies
Extra charge for paying with credit or debit card
Located just an eight-minute walk away from the central train station and within the historic Canal Ring, this intimate, mid-range bed-and-breakfast makes a convenient home base. It's a 13-minute walk to the Anne Frank House, and all the quaint coffee shops and boutiques of the Jordaan neighborhood are a few blocks away. But despite being inside a traditional Amsterdam home, the decor here is decidedly Asian, with fans, wooden chimes and Buddha statues scattered throughout. Rooms are spacious for the price and include traditional canal house details like wood-beamed ceilings or a courtyard patio. Just note that there is no elevator, and that bathrooms have showers only. The comparable (and sometimes cheaper) Boogaard's Bed and Breakfast in the heart of the Old City is also worth considering.
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Scene
An unexpected tribute to Southeast Asia tucked inside a traditional canal house
From the outside, the B&B Barangay looks like any other canal house in Amsterdam, with its wrought-iron street lamps, black lacquered door and overgrown window boxes. But step inside and the vibe shifts to Southeast Asia (Barangay is a Filipino word meaning "small community"). This blend of Amsterdam and Southeast Asian culture is a reflection of the bed-and-breakfast's two owners, one Dutch and one Filipino. Orchids, fans and wooden masks decorate the narrow hallway that weaves past the guest rooms and up three flights of stairs. Unfortunately, those corridors are pretty much all the common space allowed as the layout doesn't leave room for a lounge or reception area. Another critical issue for some guests: There is no elevator. The owners live on the premises with their two cats; those who are allergic may want to consider staying on an upper floor.
Location
Near the central train station and walking distance to the heart of the Old Center
Eurail riders take note: This bed-and-breakfast is just an eight-minute walk from the central train station, which is also a main stop for all public transportation. But even if train travel isn't on the itinerary, the Barangay makes a good hub for leisure visitors as it's situated at the top of Amsterdam's historic Canal Ring, next to the quaint Jordaan neighborhood and a 13-minute walk away from the Anne Frank House. It's also just a 12-minute walk to Dam Square, a tourist hub in the Old Center. The street scene is exactly what you'd picture when thinking of Amsterdam: Gabled facades nestled elbow to elbow down a slender brick road.
Rooms
A marriage of the Far East and Amsterdam
The bed-and-breakfast's Asian decor becomes even more pronounced in the four rooms: Bamboo wall panels, beaded room dividers, wooden chimes and Buddha statues continue the Far East theme. Dark burgundy bedding works well with the exposed wooden beams typical of Dutch canal houses. But other pairings, like palm-tree posters or animal-print cushions, clash a bit. Useful appliances include the iDock alarm clocks (for older generation iPhones and iPods) and mini-fridges. Bathrooms are a 180 from the other tchotchke-dotted spaces and are outfitted in simple, sparse black and white tile; all bathrooms have rainfall and hand showers, while the Patio Rooms include bidets. Towels are left on the bed folded in origami-style shapes (like swans) paired with little turndown treats. The Patio Rooms, as expected, have a shared outdoor patio; other rooms upstairs have taller beamed ceilings but no outdoor space. For the price, guests get far more personality than at the nearby and also mid-range Ibis Amsterdam Centre.
Features
A room-delivered breakfast and a guest computer, but little else
Guests are treated to a welcome basket filled with snacks and wine. The in-room breakfast changes daily and includes hot and cold items. A small workstation with a guest computer is tucked into the staircase landing. And a tiny bookshelf under the stairs hosts a lending library including a few stray guidebooks and magazines.
