France Hotel Amsterdam

The France Hotel Amsterdam overlooks a small canal, with traditional Dutch merchant houses on the opposite bank that rise right up out of the water. The cobbled street has been pedestrianized into a waterfront terrace, and its shared by a popular Irish pub next door. Inside, the atmosphere of the hotel is relaxed as compared to many of the hotels in this area, and it was renovated in 2016 with sharp modern decor. The pleasant lobby has eye-catching red accents warmed up with light blue industrial-chic pendants hanging above tables, and a large framed black-and-white photo of Amsterdam above the sofa. A few steps up is the reception area, where there's a row of wall clocks set to different hours as if to show time zones in cities worldwide, but you'll have to guess where, because oddly, they're unlabeled. Couples and friends traveling in groups tend to be the property's main clientele. 

France Hotel Amsterdam is located in the Red Light District, just off the Prins Hendrikkade, a major road that cuts across the city center. Bars and restaurants are around every corner and there are numerous attractions within walking distance. The Schreierstoren (Weeping Tower), Amsterdam's oldest monument (built in 1487), is a minutes' stroll north, and De Waag (Weigh House) is a four-minute walk to the south. Dam Square is a 10-minute walk into the heart of the district, and the Anne Frank House can be reached in 20 minutes on foot. It's only a five-minute walk to Centraal Station for access to trains and trams, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is about a 25-minute drive from the hotel. 

While guest rooms at France Hotel Amsterdam are modern and well-maintained, there's a considerable drawback: Standard Rooms lack windows. All have pale wood flooring, white walls, and sculptural halogen lights overhead. Most rooms have one or two twin beds, built-in white shelf desks, and Eames-inspired moulded rocking chairs. Huge photos above beds of Amsterdam at dusk provide a splash of color. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, 32- or 36-inch Smart TVs, and laptop safes, but there are no mini-fridges or coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms add electric kettles, along with windows, and some have canal views. The basic white-tiled bathrooms contain walk-in showers with removable rainfall showerheads and pull curtains, wall-mounted hairdryers, and toiletries. Units range from 139 square-foot singles to 172 square-foot quadruples. 

Amenities at France Hotel Amsterdam cover the basics. The hotel doesn't have a bar or restaurant, but guests receive vouchers for free breakfast at Molly Malone's pub next door, which shares the property's outdoor terrace set on the waterfront. The lobby has a lounge with tables and a coffee machine, along with a snack vending machine. There's no on-site parking, but Wi-Fi is free throughout and children under six stay for free.