I was extremely thorough in our online search for the "perfect apartment" for our week Amsterdam, our daughter's first trip to Europe - obsessive perhaps - and after booking, I felt that I had truly found the best spot for us. Upon arrival and throughout our stay, we kept congratulating ourselves for the selection because it really was perfect. Very well situated, conceived, outfitted and hosted!

It was nice for our threesome to have some space, with my husband and me in the very comfortable bed in the back, and our daughter on a fold out that was fine for her in the front living room. In addition to these spaces, there was plenty of room for luggage and spreading out. The bathroom was new and luxurious, and it was helpful to have the lav separate. The kitchen and dining area are great, and Eline and Take very generously provide nice coffee and teas; we always breakfasted "at home' and had a couple of dinners when we were too tired to be out any longer. They provided everything we needed to prepare simple things, the equipment was new and easy to figure out, and it all was laid out beautifully.

We are design-oriented and we appreciated all the thought and care that went into creating a space that is as functional as it is good looking. It's a beautiful blend of modern furnishings in a traditional (300 years) home that struck us as very Dutch and extremely appealing.

The view is spectacular - there is always something on the canal that intrigues - the swans, the dogs in the houseboat across the way, the twinkling night lights. This perfect spot is perfectly matched by Take and Eline's generosity and thoughtfulness. To their welcome bottle of wine, they added some juice for our daughter, and they always included her in the conversation, which is always appreciated. They were friendly and helpful at every turn, even providing a train schedule with track numbers for our trip to the airport.

In short, it was hard to leave - because I did find the perfect apartment in Amsterdam! I hope we can return and encourage you to book the canal house.