We had a wonderful stay with Joke and Genard! They were spectacular hosts - if you want to stay where you can get to know locals, this is the place to do it....not to mention that it is ON the water - what's not to love about that. The room was very comfortable as was the bed, and the view was so cool. It was also nice that it was so close to the city but very quiet - you feel like you are out in the countryside and it is very nice to run/walk along the canal. You simply MUST have Joke prepare you a meal - we had the best meal out on the patio - you are missing out if you don't do that, and have Gerard take you for a boat ride...libations included - you won't be sorry - he dropped us off at the Concertgebow for a concert and it was a highlight of our trip!
My only suggestion - the place is super easy to get to, but we had trouble with the directions. I would suggest:
- Take the NDSM Ferry (free, super easy to find on the water side of the Central Station)
- Get off the Ferry and make a quick right then a quick left (you are basically staying straight, but you would bump into a building if you don't jog around it)
- Go down this road (look for Anne Frank mural) until the T - you can't go any further
-Turn right (cross the road, watch for bikes!).....follow this road until right before it goes over the canal
- Turn left right before the bridge and follow that side of the canal
- Go past the first place that has a "8" on the gate- the road name apparently changes, but you just keep following the canal and you will find their gate!