THE NETHERLANDS - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1341

B&Bs and Private-Room Rentals
B&Bsofferachance tofeellikealocal duringyourvisit.Thefirstandthirdlistings hereare
in a peaceful residential neighborhood that's a short walk from Central Station; the second
andfourthareinslightly busierareas. Thelast twolistings areservices that manage andrent
many apartments and rooms in West Amsterdam.
$$ Boogaard's B&B is a delightful pad on a narrow lane right out of Mister Rogers'
neighborhood. The B&B, which has four comfortable rooms and an inviting public living
room, is run by Peter, an American expat opera singer. Peter, who clearly enjoys hosting
Americans in his home, serves his fresh-baked goodies at breakfast and treats you royally.
As his place is popular with my readers, it's smart to book as soon as possible—even as
much as six months in advance (Db-€130, 2-night minimum; furnished family apartment
with kitchen-€250 for 4 people, 3-night minimum; prices don't include 6 percent tax, air-
con, free Wi-Fi, DVD library, free laundry, loaner cell phones and laptops, Langestraat 34,
tel. [phone], www.boogaardsbnb.com , [e-mail] ).
$$ Maes B&B (pronounced “mahss”) is a dynamite value, renting tastefully cozy rooms
for much less than you'd pay at a hotel. Instead of a reception desk, you get antique-filled
rooms, the use of a full kitchen, and a warm welcome from Ken and Vlad. They also run
Heren B&B, a crisply modern space around the corner from Maes, with large rooms—one
with a canal view (both locations: Sb-€105, Db-€125, extra bed-€30, suites and full apart-
ments also available, free Internet access and Wi-Fi, if street noise bothers you ask for room
in back, Herenstraat 26, tel. [phone], www.bedandbreakfastamsterdam.com , maes-
[e-mail] ).
$$ Herengracht 21 B&B has two stylish, intimate rooms in a canal house filled with
art and run by lovely Loes Olden (2-floor Db-€125, canal-view Db-€135, air-con, free
Wi-Fi, Herengracht 21, tel. [phone], mobile [phone], www.herengracht21.nl ,
[e-mail] ).
$$ Sunhead of 1617 B&B justifiably calls itself a “bed and delicious breakfast,” but
you're just as likely to remember the thoughtfully decorated, flower-filled rooms and the
personality of owner Carlos (Db-€90-150, Db apartment-€130-150, more on holidays, free
Wi-Fi, mobile [phone], Herengracht 152, www.sunhead.com , [e-mail] ).
$$ With Truelove Guesthouse, a room-rental service, you'll feel like you're staying at
your Dutch friends' house while they're out of town. Sean and Paul—whose tiny antique
store on Prinsenstraat doubles as the reception desk for their rental service—have 15 rooms
and apartments in houses sprinkled throughout the northern end of the Jordaan neighbor-
hood. The apartments are stylish and come with kitchens and pull-out beds (Db-€90-140,
Db apartment-€130-150, prices soft in off-season and midweek, 10 percent more with credit
card, 2-night minimum on weekends, no breakfast, pick up keys in store at Prinsenstraat 4,