Ajax hotels

(unless stated all prices are per person per night based on two people sharing a twin or double room. They can be booked through booking.com on a pay-on-arrival basis. All bookings can be cancelled for free up to 24 hours before arrival)

Bargain – £30
Hotels in Amsterdam are pricey even in the darkest depths of winter, such is the ability of the Dutch capital to draw in tourists.

One of our favourite places to stay is the one-star Quentin Arrive Hotel, at Haarlemmerstraat 65, which has 34 rooms and is a five-minute walk from Amsterdam Central train station.

All rooms are heated and come with a TV. They’re simply furnished but clean and tidy and, most importantly for such a busy city centre, it’s quiet at night, so you’ll get a good night’s sleep.

The only downside is that, unless you pay £18 each per person, you will have to make do with a shared bathroom, which shouldn’t be a problem for a quick Euro away trip.

Or how about the two-star Hotel Old Quarter, at Warmoestraar 22?

This 50-room hotel is even closer to the station and, though it costs a little more expensive (£30.75 per person per night), you get a TV in your room and a full-English breakfast.

You would get a shared bathroom unless you pay £5 per person per night more.

This hotel also has its own bar and restaurant. It’s definitely one of the best deals in town.

Value – £42

The three-star Delta Hotel City Centre, at Damrak 42, is right next to Amsterdam Central train station and has 48 comfortable, furnished rooms, each with a private bathroom and a TV.

A buffett breakfast is included with the price of the room.

Another option is the wonderfully decorated three-star Mercure Amsterdam Arthur Frommer, at Noorderstraat 46. It’s right in the city centre and has 92 stylish rooms.

Rooms come with air conditioning, heating, a private bathroom, a TV, radio, minibar and a patio area.

It will set you back £56.50 per person per night if you want the right to cancel for free, or £48 per person per night for a non refundable room.

Luxury – £59
If you’re willing to push the boat out for an extra-special stay, try the four-star Albus Hotel, at Vijzelstraat 49.

It’s right in the city centre and doesn’t charge for the right to cancel rooms.

Each of the hotel’s 74 rooms have a flatscreen TV with sky, a stylish Nespresso tea and coffee maker, a private bathroom, heating, and air conditioning.

Guests can enjoy the restaurant and bar and the hotel staff will even take you to and from Amsterdam Schipol Airport.

Finally, the luxurious four-star Eden Rembrandt Square Hotel, at Amstelstraat 17, has 166 spacious rooms, with spring beds, air conditioning, heating, a private bathroom, Sky TV, tea and coffee-making facilities and a minibar.

Downstairs, there’s a restaurant for lunch and evening meals and a decent bar to boot.