Amsterdam has long been known for its freewheeling lifestyle, from the famous Red Light District to the cannabis coffeeshops. In a city where personal freedom is highly prized and prostitution and "soft" drugs are legal, many nightclubs and hotels cater to those who like their entertainment and lodging a bit on the spicy side. Themed rooms, interactive art and 24-hour music are commonplace in the Amsterdam hotel scene.
Since the opening of Greenhouse in the summer of 1997, this unusual hotel has been a prime destination for both gay and straight partiers who are seeking a touch of hedonism in their entertainment. The wildly popular Greenhouse Bar and coffeeshop has established a reputation as a musical leader with nightly deejays, special guest artists and a diverse clientele. Among the many themed rooms: 1001 Arabian NIghts, Retro, Outer Space, Red Light, Mary Jane, Dutch Touch and Sailor's Cabin. The rooms all have a TV, safe-deposit box and a mini-bar and breakfast is included in the tariff. Rates (in 2010) range from 65 to 190 EUR, depending upon the size, the number of people and whether or not you have a private bath. There are also four off-site apartments available for 170 EUR per night.
The Greenhouse Effect Hotel
Warmoesstraat 55
+31-0-206-244-974
Amsterdam, Netherlands
greenhouse-effect.nl
Located in the heart of the Red Light District, the Winston makes its mission clear with the motto "Party Hard, Sleep Easy in Amsterdam." Known as a budget art hotel, there are some insanely weird rooms to choose from: the self-explanatory Latex Room, the black-and-white Tranquility Room, the glowing Ultraviolet Room, or any number of interactive modern art rooms. All the rooms are different---really different---and every hallway, nook and cranny is stuffed with psychedelic modern art. Belushi's bar is pretty active in the daytime but at night it goes crazy with a private smoking deck that overlooks the Red Light alleys and the sounds of the deejay's thumping music drifting up from the adjoining Winston Kingdom nightclub. This is not a hotel for those seeking peace and quiet (except for the Tranquility Room), but anyone booking in the Red Light district probably isn't seeking a silent night. There is also a plain and simple youth hostel attached to the hotel where those on a severe budget can bunk up with a dozen or more backpackers in a dorm room. Rooms are priced per person and, as of 2010, a single ensuite (private bath) was 73 EUR and a double ran 98 EUR, breakfast and daily fresh linens included.
Hotel Winston
Warmoesstraat 129
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1012 JA
+31-0-206-231-380
winston.nl
Right down the street from the Heineken Brewery and the famous Cuypstraat market, the family-owned Hemp Hotel is a small place with about a dozen rooms, each about the size of an average bedroom and furnished in the style of the culture of Jamaica, India, Afghanistan or Tibet. Hand-carved dressers and beds fitted with hemp sheets complete the theme. Yes, you will dry your hemp-shampooed hair with hemp towels before having a breakfast of hemp muffins. Downstairs in the Hemple Temple Bar, you'll have your choice of 11 different kinds of hemp beer as well as hemp wine or cider. After all that, you'll probably want to choose the walking tour rather than see the city by bicycle. As of 2010, a double room with a private shower went for 75 EUR, a smaller single for 60 EUR and 70 EUR for a double with a shared shower.
The Hemp Hotel
Frederiksplein 15 1017XK
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
+31-20-625-44-25
hemp-hotel.com
