G-Rated Amsterdam: Kid Friendly Hotels, Restaurants, and Activities

Amsterdam, with its reputation for X-rated attractions, is a surprisingly kid-friendly city. You can make your family vacation to Amsterdam especially kid-friendly by using a little ingenuity in choosing hotels, restaurants, and activities.

Specialty Lodging Beats a Standard Hotel

Nix the thought of a standard hotel room. How about a boat hotel or a bike hotel instead? There are several boat hotels to choose from in this city surrounded by water. Some of them include La Casalo, Da Costakade ab 1, Tel. 31 20 68 90426, Amstel Botel Hotel, Oosterdokskade AB 2-4, Tel. 31 20 626 64247, and the House Boat, Ysbaanpad 70a, Tel. 31 20 66 46835. Is which hotel you choose important when you vacation with kids? Think of it this way- how often do kids get home from vacation raving about an ordinary double-bedded hotel room with a table and tv? Now if they slept on a boat… That's different, it's exciting, and it's imaginative. Since boat hotels are moored at docks, you don't even have to worry about getting seasick.

A bike hotel is not as exotic as a boat hotel, but staying in one will support your good intentions to ride bikes to travel about the city since you can rent bikes on the spot. Bicycle Hotel, Van Ostaadestraat 123, Tel. 31 20 679 34 52, www.bicyclehotel.com, allows you to reserve bikes when you reserve your room. And unlike cars, you can park your bikes at the hotel for free.

If neither of these options grabs you, there is one traditional hotel in town that has an enviable kids' suite. At CrownePlaza Amsterdam City Centre, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, Tel. 31 20 620 0500, kids get their own space with bunk beds, TV, Nintendo and game table, while their parents share an adjoining room with a king bed. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, an uncommon find in this climate. Computer games and videos are also available. This suite is highly prized by parents who travel, so early booking is essential.

A Good Restaurant Does More than Provide a Meal