Off the beaten track in the heart of Amsterdam! If you love unique stays, then this is for you. For the price, you can choose between a sterile high-end hotel or stay in Hans' home—a vintage boat with lots of character and walls filled with snapshots and artwork from his travels around the world.
Beds — The master bedroom is at the opposite end of the boat from another small bed, perfect for families. The master bed was firm and super comfortable for us with hotel-quality bedding and pillows.
Bathroom — Not luxury, but very functional. The shower is great, plenty of space with great water pressure and the water runs hot almost immediately. I wasn't expecting this on a houseboat. And there is a washer/dryer behind a hidden door in the shower, which was a lifesaver after traveling for a couple weeks. Note: toilet paper gets thrown in the trash instead of the toilet due to the delicate septic system. Anyone who has lived on an island or boat will find this not unusual, but it might take unseasoned travelers by surprise.
Kitchen — We didn't cook, but there's everything you need, mostly tucked away in cubbies, because it's a boat after all. There's a small refrigerator and convection/microwave combo.
Wifi — Fantastic. We are IT workers and were able to hold simultaneous video calls with zero interruptions in service.
Location — If you've never been to Amsterdam and are wondering about the best place to stay...it's on Hans' boat! Sit in the upper wheelhouse and enjoy watching the boats float by or step out the door to more canals, restaurants, and photo opportunities than you can image.
Groceries — There are three Bio/organic grocery stories within just a few blocks.
Cleanliness — Hans has a cleaning crew and all bedding, kitchen, bathroom and surfaces were well-cleaned, certainly felt COVID-safe, but there were some corners that the cleaning crew missed (like the inside of the microwave). Imagine you are going to stay at your uncles super cool boat that he lives on and he hired in a crew to clean before your visit...it's like that. Very clean and comfortable, but not pristine.
Check-in — Some of the other reviews talk about Hans greeting the guests and having beers, but he was out of the country. Our check-in was with someone (I think from a mgmt company) who seemed a bit rushed and dismissive, but nothing to keep you from enjoying a fabulous visit.
Privacy — The boat is all yours. During our time there, Hans' brother happened by and we had a nice visit with him, the neighbor came by with the mail, and Hans' dropped in for a farewell chat. He's lovely and attentive to feedback...a host dedicated to constant improvement.
Noise — There is a glass recycling station 30 steps from the front door and sometimes you'll hear glass bottles drop randomly and sometimes people show up and glass will drop for 5-10 min straight. Once a week, the city empties the glass, which is a crashing sound that woke me at 7 a.m. Again, I wouldn't let this keep you from booking, but is a consideration if you are noise sensitive. If you are booking near to the time this review is posted, note that there is some nearby construction.
Accessibility — You need to be able to go up/down a short and steep set of stairs/ladder. It adds character to the experience. I think most people will like it and kids will love it.
Thank you, Hans!