Hotel Fita

Housed in a characteristic Dutch building, the four-floor Hotel Fita has a welcoming, intimate feel that is reminiscent of a bed-and-breakfast. The red-carpeted foyer has a flower arrangement, guest book, rack of tourist brochures, and a staircase leading to the rooms. Unlike other small Amsterdam hotels, the Fita also has an elevator -- albeit a tiny one. The colorful breakfast room with red-and-gold seating is a fine place to mix and mingle with other international guests. Rooms are simple but thoughtfully done, with white cotton bedding, Nespresso machines, flat-panel TVs, and free Wi-Fi. A typical Amsterdam touch is the bicycle rental (for a fee).

The Hotel Fita has a great location on Jan Luikenstraat, a quiet street one block north of the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum and two blocks west of the Rijksmuseum. The Van Baerlestraat tram is a block east for access to the rest of the city. Leidseplein (and its nightlife) is less than a 15-minute walk away, and the leafy Vondelpark is less than a 10-minute stroll from the hotel. The Anne Frank House and Westerkerk are both around a mile to the north and Dam Square is about a mile to the northeast. Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is about eight miles to the southwest of the hotel.

The 15 rooms at the Hotel Fita are quiet and have ample natural light. Rooms range in size from 108 to 290 square feet. They are simple in décor, with Ikea-like furniture, white cotton bedding, and some thoughtful touches such as potted plants or framed artwork on the walls. Some rooms have blue curtains and blue throw pillows. An array of amenities -- which include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffeemakers, tea kettles, safes, and umbrellas -- are more than expected from a value hotel. Rooms have ceiling fans but not every room has air-conditioning, which could cause discomfort for some guests on hot summer nights. Some rooms only have walk-in showers versus shower/tub combos.

Hotel Fita has limited facilities, with no gym, pool, or business center. Its highlight feature is the ample breakfast spread, featuring fresh-made, Dutch-style pancakes as well as hot eggs, bacon, croissants, baked rolls, fruit, cheese, yogurt, coffee, and juice. Bike rentals (for a fee) allow guests to cruise the streets of Amsterdam as locals do. Guests can help themselves to beer, wine and soft drinks from the "trust bar," with the costs added onto the bill at the end of the stay. Tickets for the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are also available for purchase at the hotel.