If you are going to spend a weekend in the capital of Holland you should definitely visit some of the cafes or several good restaurants. Amsterdam has many places where you can have a nice dinner. This is certainly the case with District V. This place serves Mediterranean dishes and has a very nice atmosphere. You can find District V in De Pijp, one of the most trendy places of Amsterdam.

If you’d like to have a cup of tea in one of the most beautiful parks of Amsterdam you should go to Vertigo. The café-restaurant is located in the Vondelpark where the atmosphere is downright great, especially when it’s sunny. Vertigo has free wifi for laptops so you can enjoy a drink and work at the same time. Afterwards you can visit the Amsterdam film museum, which you will find just above Vertigo.

Another nice place to have a drink or maybe even dine is Bridges Restaurant in Hotel Sofitel the Grand. This is an award winning dining place and one of the most elegant Dutch restaurants in Amsterdam. Bridges Restaurant is located in the center of the city but has a tranquil ambiance. You will not believe you’re in the heart of the Dutch capital!

Are you going to spend a few days in Amsterdam? Htel Serviced Apartments is one of the best lodging places in Amsterdam and has several furnished apartments available. For more information feel free to visit the website.

Htel Serviced Apartments has always strived to be one of the top 10 hotels in Amsterdam. This has been quite a challenge, since many things have changed during the last decades. The internet technology has had a deep impact on the hospitality industry. In the past clients had to fill in a form or make their reservations by phone. Nowadays people want to be able to do this online.

Investing in social media

What is the best way to stand out and to provide the best service possible in these modern times? Htel Serviced Apartments decided to invest a large amount of money in their website, online marketing and social media marketing. Now 18 months later it’s harvest time. Clients are able to register online and get the proper information through social media.

Of course a good policy on the new technology is not enough. That is why the hotel also continues to invest in the best direct service. Well furnished rooms and direct assistance are still very important. After all the client must experience that sleeping in Amsterdam at the Htel Serviced Apartments is something more than just spending the night in an average hotel; he or she must feel at home.

Consumer reviews accommodation

Tripadvisor is one of the biggest travel websites in the world and is considered to be very trustful. The site is very popular for its consumer reviews. Htel Serviced Apartments has over 300 spacious and fully furnished apartments. Amsterdam has many hotels from which you can choose, so the fact that the Htel Serviced Apartments reached the number one spot on the website means the hotel is on the right track.

If you are looking for art exhibitions, Amsterdam is the place to be. There are several museums and galleries you can visit, but why not enjoy art in the place where you are staying? Nowadays many hotels arrange in-house art exhibitions, an interesting trend that Htel Serviced Apartments likes to follow. This time the hotel has invited the Amsterdam art painter Josine Goosens to share her work with the clients of the hotel.

Josine Goosens creates paintings and drawings of floating buildings. When faced with her work the spectator sees a three-dimensional illusion, which is a form of extreme realism. The chosen colours, sometimes fuzzy background and the total absence of human life make her work somewhat phantasmagoric. One could easily label the paintings as surreal art images!

The drawings and paintings are unique and can be bought by the clients of Htel Serviced Apartments. This is a one-time opportunity to get an elegant and precious souvenir made by a famous Dutch artist!

Bridges Restaurant
The main ingredient at the Bridges Restaurant is fish. Either the raw bar or the stylish restaurant will amaze you with unique combinations such as Lobster and Tandoori. Simple plates like fresh tuna tartare are as recommendable as the more exquisite dishes there.

Restaurant Vermeer
Personally I always try to avoid hotel restaurants for dinner. Neither the staff, interior nor the food is very pretentious and you can feel having a restaurant is an obligation rather than a result of passion.
In contrast to usual hotel restaurants the Restaurant Vermeer of the NH Barbizon Palace Hotel provides its guests with fine dining in Amsterdam. The interior is what some might consider a bit old-fashioned, but I would rather call it classic and elegant.

Lounge & Restaurant Geisha
Geisha Bar & Lounge is a melting pot of several different refined Asian cuisines. I loved the Sushi in combination with champagne sake. I never had it before but it was an absolute delight.

The College Restaurant
The College Hotel is located in a beautiful building in the Amsterdam City Centre. After a drink in the trendy bar I am always excited which classic dish will be prepared this time. Even though the staff is still in training and sometimes a bit nervous when approaching guests, I love to have dinner in The College Restaurant.

D’Vijff Vlieghen Amsterdam
D’Vijff Vlieghen is kind of a must when I take out foreign business guests for dinner in Amsterdam. With nine separate dining rooms spread over five canal houses, all decorated with objects from Holland’s Golden Age, it is some sort of a museum where having dinner is a part of the tour.

For more information about short stay apartments in Amsterdam visit our website: Htel Serviced Apartments.

De Kas Restaurant
Growing food in a greenhouse is a common process of producing vegetables but have you ever eaten in a greenhouse? I just tried it and I can totally recommend it.
In 2001, the current owners of this eatery took over the municipal nursery, which had fallen into disrepair, and turned it into one of the city’s most stunning restaurants.
You will rediscover how incredibly tasty real fresh food is. Biological products are grown in the greenhouse itself or are derived from farmers in the close surroundings.

Restaurant Latei
First of all, Latei is for people who are in for some adventure. It is the first restaurant in the world with a menu which combines the best apple pie in the afternoon and delicious Indian food in the evening.

Pompstation Bar & Grill
The name of this bar & grill restaurant originates from an old gas station, so when walking inside you should not be surprised that the restaurant has an industrial interior. The excellent balance of trendy high class décor and antiques of the old gas station is impressive and makes this place worth a visit.

Restaurant Kantjil & de Tijger
Indonesian food in Amsterdam is, according to me, always recommendable. Whenever I just want to grab a quick bite in a chic and modern place where the fried rice and noodles are delicious you will find me at Kantjil & de Tijger.

Restaurant Balthazar’s Keuken
Balthazar’s Keuken is not a place for fussy eaters since you cannot choose your dish. They create, you enjoy.
Once I entered this former smithy with an open kitchen, pans and utensils hanging in plain view, I immediately knew I discovered one of Amsterdam’s most special restaurants.

For more information about short stay apartments in Amsterdam visit our website: Htel Serviced Apartments.

Have you ever thought about what makes these street markets so special? According to me it is the feeling of life. Income, religion, political or ethnical background seem not to matter any longer. The loud voices of merchants drown out any differences among the people, only a classification of sellers and buyers exists.

Regardless which street market you visit, you come across local people purchasing fresh products like fruits, fresh cheese or fresh vegetables. Everybody runs into neighbours and friends here, has a chat, and continues to stroll across the market. I also really like to hunt for a couple of bargains on these markets.

A street market is a mixture of old traditions and today’s life. Everybody becomes a part of a journey from past merchant glory to present market trade.
The Amsterdam market culture dates back to the early 18th century. First stalls were set up in the Jewish Quarter in 1783. Nowadays you can find about 30 different markets throughout the city. Some of them open up on a daily basis, others once or twice a week and a couple on a seasonal basis.

Noordermarkt
The Noordermarkt flea market is a traditional market place with a very special modern touch. It used to be a traditional pigeon and canary market. However, when this market lost its touch and its visitors, the popular café Winkel set up nine biological food stalls here.

The biological food developed fast into a popular specialty among the local crowd, probably also due to the difficulties of finding really healthy food nowadays. Visitors come over from the entire country to buy biological products. The market is a social attraction, providing its visitor with natural products only. No fast-food is sold here, but fresh ingredients that can be prepared in your short stay apartment amsterdam. Visit the market, buy fresh food and make your own lunch or dinner at your apartment in Amsterdam.

Albert Cuyp markt
In the heart of the Pijp, one of the famous boroughs in central Amsterdam, you find the Albert Cuyp market. It is one of the larger and more famous markets of the city. Existent for over a century it is a popular and multicultural market that receives visitors from all over the world. You can find anything here, from fruits to bike accessories, cheese to cosmetics and from spices to plants.

In general the prices are rather low here, though product quality often reflects this. Flowers are less expensive than at the famous Bloemenmarkt (see below). The Albert Cuyp market is open the whole year, except for Sundays.

Bloemenmarkt
This market is absolutely unique in its kind since you probably cannot find a floating flower market anywhere else in the world. The Bloemenmarket is a typical Dutch flower market that I always recommend to visitors. Do you enjoy flowers as much as the Dutch do? Then you should have a look here. On the floating flower market you can buy all sorts of plants, flowers, herbs and flower bulbs. The bulbs are ready for export which means that you can take them home, even by plane.
The boats that host this small market are open seven days a week. Come around when you feel like it. The Flower market is located near the Muntplein, on the Singel between Vijzelstraat and Koningsplein.

Are you still looking for accommodation for your short stay in Amsterdam? Have a look at our website and read about our Apartment Hotel Amsterdam.

The city has gained international fame as a place where great parties take place. I would like to highlight a party in the city of Amsterdam that is absolutely worth joining: Queen’s Day. It is said to be one of the best parties in this country.

Some Queen’s Day facts:

• On the 30^th of April the birthday of Queen Juliana is celebrated every year. She was a former queen of the Netherlands and the mother of the reigning Queen Beatrix. The latter was actually born on the 31^st of January but celebrates her birthday regularly on the 30th of April in tribute to her mother.
• About 800.000 people will come to celebrate Queen’s Day in Amsterdam, that means it will get really crowded. Easiest form to reach the city is by public transport. To be honest, I really recommend you to travel to Amsterdam by train during those days. Besides the large number of visitors, Amsterdam’s inhabitants will also join the party.

Good to know about Queen’s Day:

1. The party starts already in the night before Queen’s Day, called Queen’s Night. Try to pace yourself as you have an entire night and day of partying.
2. Do you know the meaning of orange craze? Have you ever seen an entire country in one colour? During Queen’s Day everything turns into bright orange here. Clothes, faces, buildings, balloons, wigs, hats, even pets. Orange is the national colour of the Netherlands, and we love to share that with you.
3. Have a walk in the city centre and enjoy the beautiful area around the canals of Amsterdam, in case you can find your way through. You will find masses of people everywhere, flea markets all over the city and Heineken draft beer at every corner.
4. The best places to go:• Museumplein: Enjoy radio 538 club life. They organize the biggest free open air concert of the Netherlands here. About 300.000 people visited the place last year.• Jordaan: The party in this district is organized by its residents and some of the famous bars and clubs in this area, thereby giving it a particular atmosphere.• Leidseplein: Student unions sell beer for a Euro while you can experience different shows on another open air stage.• Rembrandtplein: SLAM FM organizes a party with plenty of internationally famous DJ’s and artists that spin their best mixes for the crowds.

   • Thorbeckeplein: Discover here what typical Dutch music really is. It is maybe a bit less fun for expats  but the atmosphere is still great and it is absolutely worth to give it a try. A beer might thereby work wonders to your understanding of the Dutch language.

   • Vondelpark: There is a flea market, in particular organized for children, so the whole family can enjoy Queen’s Day in this beautiful park.

   • Westerpark: If you still have some energy left after several parties of Queen’s Day and Night you can join the after-party. It starts on Queen’s Day at 8pm and lasts until 5am. Take the advice and either pick Queen’s Night or the after-party. Otherwise you will be partying non-stop for about 37 hours in a row.

Mobile addicts should try and download the reality browser Layer Koninginnedag Amsterdam onto their cellphone (for IPhone, Android and Ovi). I have to admit that I did not download this reality browser yet, but apparently it contains info about all events on Queen’s Day.

Getting curious about Queen’s Day and if you are looking for a short stay in Amsterdam, visit the Htel apartments website.

Feeling at home
Many hotels pretend they make you feel at home. So do we. But unlike hotels we also exhibit the facilities required to make you truly feel at home. No offense to the less fortunate, but who has got a home without a kitchen, a living room, or washing and drying facilities?

Besides that, trifles like fire places in the warm, cozy living rooms of our apartments give them a distinctive look and a unique atmosphere. Exactly, we have what it takes to truly make you feel comfortable.

Size
Our smallest apartments are twice as big as regular hotel rooms, and at least as big as a hotel suite. The larger apartments we offer are easily as big as 3 hotel suites combined. Just have a look at the image below. I can assure you that I did everything within my power to ensure the length of the bed is practically equal on each picture.

Price
During leisure periods we have special rates that go as low as €100 per night. Have you ever tried to get a suite in a hotel in Amsterdam for that price? We are a cheap alternative to a luxury hotel in Amsterdam for your short stay.
For people that are willing to share a place with others, we have beautiful 2 bedroom apartments that could present an alternative. Even to a cheap hotel in Amsterdam.

Kitchen
All of our apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen. Do you really like those hard boiled eggs or stirred eggs with too much milk that you always seem to get in hotels? Since you are your own boss in our serviced apartments you can sleep as long as you want to and still have breakfast with eggs as at home. No time constraints and good, self-prepared food just the way you like it.

Fridge
We offer you an actual fridge to store your food and drinks. Not just a simple hotel mini bar where you never have more than 2 items of what you truly enjoy. Consuming from our fridge also comes at supermarket prices. Minibar snacks and drinks in hotels are undoubtedly pretty expensive, wherever you go.
Additional facilities

A spa, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a large rooftop lounge with a fantastic view. How many hotels do you know in Amsterdam that provide all of this under one roof?

Pets allowed
We allow pets. So the entire family can enjoy vacations. Including the dog or the cat. Most hotels do not allow pets.
Is there something that could withhold you from staying with us?
Sure, let’s be honest. There is a “vs.” in the title and you know that nobody is perfect. I like to think that we come pretty close to perfection. I definitely love the product we have to offer. But here are some things that may get you to consider staying at a hotel.

Minimum length of stay of 7 nights.
You can’t book with us for a one night stay in Amsterdam, not even for 3 nights. 7 nights is our minimum.

No restaurant
We serve no breakfast and we have no inhouse restaurant. I have been thinking a lot about this aspect. Here is what I figured out: Who really needs an inhouse restaurant? You are coming to Amsterdam to enjoy yourself, right? When was the last time that you stayed at a city hotel and actually had dinner at the restaurant of the hotel? Most likely you did not use the hotel restaurant. Instead, you went outside for both lunch and dinner. Much more fun, much more choice.

We have a top concierge service for our apartments. Additionally, I try to help out a bit personally via this blog. Have you had a look at my latest restaurant recommendation of the month? I am starting to launch a restaurant selection where you can tell fellow Htel guests which restaurants you liked best.

Cleaning
Unless you ask us to, we are not providing daily cleaning. As ex-hotelier I do insist on tidiness. However, I am also aware of my environmental consciousness and responsibility. By not cleaning the apartment every day or doing laundry every 2 days we can contribute a lot. This responsibility is part of Htel Serviced Apartments’ concept.

My final thought
Our unique concept for short stays offers a great alternative to luxurious hotel accommodation. We incorporate space, comfort and freedom in different ways than a traditional hotel. Discover what it means to enjoy Htel Serviced Apartments by allowing me to be your host.

Curious about our concept? Have a look on the website of our short stay apartment hotel Amsterdam.

Read on for my personal selection of 9 funny relocation stories and jokes to get an idea what could happen during your relocation to another country.
1) A short story by H.B.M.
‘I moved from London to Stockholm together with my 4 year old daughter. I used to have a pretty large leather couch. At a given point of time I wanted to push the couch through the kitchen and into the garage.  It has the same width as another couch I just moved, so I figured, why not…With my daughter watching I pushed the larger couch into the kitchen.

Before I knew it, I was stuck in the walkway. Aiming to get it into a movable position again, I forced it into a vertical position. Tilting it over only to get it more stuck, I all of the sudden heard a ‘click-click-woosh’ sound. My daughter laughingly said, look daddy, fire! I somehow had hit the flame and almost lit my furniture. I managed to avoid that, but I stopped trying to move heavy furniture throughout the house for ever.’
We take care of your move.

2) By a moving company, that was unfamiliar with the content of a shipment.
‘We were asked to ship a pre-packed aquarium. Nothing unusual, I thought. It did feel a bit heavier than normal, but nothing to be alarmed. Only upon arrival we discovered that we had shipped it with the water and the fish still in it. The customer then filed a claim both for the fish, that was still alive,  but probably had had a rough ride, and for the water damage. The customer also filed a water damage claim, that fortunately appeared invalid.’
We’ll take care of all insurance matters.

3) By another moving company.
‘We received a request to allow the house pet- an Iguana- to stay out of it’s cage during a move, and to ride with us, in the front seat of the moving truck together with the driver for the duration of the transportation. We ended up allowing the Iguana to ride with us, as the request was so unique.’
At Htel Serviced Apartments, our international relocation agents will do everything in their power to realize your special requests.

4) A story by RW.
‘Having moved to Paris recently, I was looking forward to receiving my new salary related to my new job. I approached the nearest bank to open up a bank account shortly after I arrived. The bank friendly told me that everything was fine, that I only needed to provide an EDF (electricite de France) invoice.
No problem, I thought, until I got to EDF, where they tell you that you can only open up an EDF account after having opened a bank account. Fortunately my boss was also account holder at the bank- and apparently a good client- as he got the bank to simply open the bank account without any documentation but a passport. Otherwise, I am not sure how long it would have taken me to open up both the bank account and the EDF account.’
Even is it gets to these levels, we’ll take on the administrative hassle that comes with a relocation procedure.

5) A disaster story by HG.
‘My movers show up on time. They do a  great job. No delays, everything is handled with care. Just one item is left in the truck: my grandmothers ancient clock. A 115 kilogram monster-clock, which is basically all that is left for her to remember my grandfather who passed away a couple of years ago.
Practically the whole family is watching how the movers are getting ready to unload the clock off the truck. For the 100th time, I nervously  remind the movers to be extremely careful as this is the most valuable item of the whole load. They nod their heads, they understand how important these 115 kg’s are. One of them even says, “Don’t worry Sir, we are professionals!”
Grandma is watching calmly, after all, the movers did an awesome job, and they can’t destroy up the only item that’s left.
At the sound of the ‘don’t worry’ words, my grandmother almost faints. Movers are screaming. My family stands still with open mouths. I can’t believe my eyes. The clock is falling from 1 meter high, and the whole thing is scattering all over the place…. what a distaster…..’
We take care of everything that’s important to you, whether of financial, or emotional value.

6) Upfront charges by B.J.P.
‘This was the letter I received after confirming where I’d rent my new place in the heart of Berlin:

We are really pleased you chose to rent with us. You will love the city center, our inhouse fitness center and our swimming pool. The other residents are really nice. We aim to provide the best service in town. We are sure you’ll be happy here. But before you move in, we need to have the following amounts wired into our bank account.
• Security deposit- 6 months rent. €4200
• Non-refundable pet fee €800
• Pet deposit €1200
• Pet processing fee €300
For your convenience, here are contact numbers for electricity, gas, water, phone, newspaper, cable service. Please arrange to turn them on before you move in.’
Our relocation services also include taking care of the preparational work of your relocation.

7) By MK and BU, and their cute son.
‘When we figured out that a 2 bedroom apartment truly was no longer big enough now our little John’s little sister was born, we decided that for our relocation we required to a larger place with more bedrooms.
Our little boy heard us go over the idea of moving to a larger place, and then out of nowhere said: This is not going to do us any good,  not at all. She’d just follow us!’
We are here to relocate your entire family safely and securely.

8) By LA, about a different welcome in a fully furbished place.
‘I arrived at my new place in Rome. Just got my key, and the first thing I notice in my new apartment, is a yellow memo on my desk. It’s all in Italian- I didn’t speak a word. I managed to decifre the text via Google translate. It said: Now that you’ve managed to move, here is some important information. All your utilities are hooked up. Here are a couple of documents for you to sign. You must sign everything now, if not, we’ll shut off all of your utilities by tomorrow 12:00 noon.
Note these documents are blank. We will fill in the amounts after you signed them. We’ll send you copies later, so that you know what you signed.

It was 37 degrees Celcius out, I decided it was probably a good idea to ignore the choking heat, and to fill in the documents as ordered. The charges were not that bad after all….
Htel Serviced Apartments provides relocation services ensuring the clear and understandable handling of all administration issues. You won’t have to face obscure practices.

9) By S.A. We had just moved to Beijing. My husband takes the whole family to the zoo. We pay to go in, and we walk around but there’s nothing to see. Nothing at all, apart from one cage with a dog sitting in it.
My husband goes back to the cashier and says: what kind of a zoo is this? This is rubbish, there are no animals, maybe apart from one dog sitting in a cage to which the cashier replies: Yes sir, it’s a Shih Tzu.

At Htel relocation services we’re here to arrange that you relocate smoothly into the Netherlands.
If you are curious about our concept, please have a look on the website of our short stay apartment hotel Amsterdam.

Moving to a different country and settling in does not only have a tremendous emotional and environmental impact, it also requires a lot of work. Think about applying for insurances, individual or company costs and simple things as making a moving out list. Also for foreigners it’s not always easy to get used to the Netherlands culture but Htel will help you out with a to do list that will help you not to forget important things.

• Open bank account
• Apply for a social security number
• Coördinate removal furniture and move
• Assist with housing procedure
• Organize utility connections
• Get connections for tel/tv/internet
• Registration with health physicians
• Registration at local town hall
• Registration at immigration authorities
• Apply for parking permit
• Convert drivers license
• Insurances
• Social communities
• Career guidance for your spouse
• Selection of schools
• Application for child benefit
• Childcare application
• Car / motorcycle import procedure

Every relocation requires a personalized approach. We consider every company and every inquiry unique. We also reply with a tailor made solution.

Whether you’re a company or an individual it’s important for you, to get the best out of the whole situation from all involved different parties. Efficiency and cost of living are key aspects of your requirements in your transition, and we have the best relocation tips to fulfill them. At Htel Amsterdam, resorts and apartments are accommodations where you can stay.

By providing complete relocation and settlement services at Htel – from the initial questions and concerns through the physical move, the handling of the formalities and the settling in support – we ensure that a new life in Amstelveen or Amsterdam is rewarding and trouble free. We are an accessible home away from home.

If you want more information you can take a look at the website of our short stay apartments in Amsterdam or Amstelveen.