We have to add to the very positive feedback about the Amsterdam Lodge. Given the budget price we didn’t expect much, but we were pleasantly surprised. The place was clean, tidy, and well equipped – there is even a PC with internet in the lounge. We had the Ivy Room, which is at the back of the house, reached through the kitchen. It wasn’t a big room but it did what we needed it to do. The bed was comfortable, and everything was clean, including the en-suite shower and toilet. There was also the nice touch of fresh flowers on the bedside table. It would be a great room to have in the summer, because there is a small terrace just off the room, and we could just imagine sipping wine there at the end of a warm summer day. We stayed there in the middle of January (last week!), and were worried it might be a little cold, but the heating was running non-stop, and every room was nice and cosy. We were there on our own so we had the lounge area to ourselves, and it was nice to laze around on the slightly battered leather couches while listening to some of the CDs which are provided along with a hi-fi. The location is great – only about 15 minutes walk to Central Station, and even less into the centre of town. Jordaan has its touristy spots, but the immediate area around the apartment is not at all touristy, which was exactly what we wanted. The area is wonderfully quiet, especially at night, although it is only about 5 minutes’ walk to the local bars and restaurants if you want to find some action. An advantage of the location is that you pay locals’ prices rather than tourist prices in the shops etc. One downside of the narrow all-look-the-same streets round there is that it is pretty easy to get lost, especially at first, but we managed to do it on our last night there! Going back to the local facilities, for excellent food at ridiculously cheap prices, we especially recommend La Vita for Italian, and Caramba for Spanish was good too. A great bar is De Vergulde Gaper just the other side of the Prinsengracht in view of the nearby church. Very friendly staff, nice atmosphere, reasonable prices, and fantastic Leffe beer! Like all Dutch bars, they don’t mind kids or animals in there. All 3 are less than 5 minutes walk from the apartment.) Bas and Anita were great hosts, offering all sorts of advice and helpful information each morning when they came in to prepare breakfast – the best places to eat, where to hire bikes, how best to get to places, maps, phone numbers - you will not meet a friendlier couple in Amsterdam. Bas is a real entrepreneur – he even has an interest in an international video game-playing team! Breakfast was continental – croissants and a variety of breads, a selection of jams, some cereals, a boiled egg, orange juice and tea/coffee. A chat over a leisurely breakfast was a nice way to start the day. All in all a very relaxing and enjoyable stay at the Amsterdam Lodge, which we would recommend to anyone. …