Page 392 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

390  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

steps and stairs prevent this.
Hotels that do have wheelchair
access, but no lifts, will have
some accessible rooms on the
ground floor. Some websites,
like Hotels.com and Booking.
com, allow you to search for
or filter by hotels with facilities
for people with disabilities.
However, it is always best to
consult the hotel directly before
you book.
Gay Hotels
The days of Amsterdam being
The bar of the Hotel Van der Werff (see p398) on Schiermonnikoog the “gay capital of Europe” may
be gone, according to many
Payment theme; for example, a cycling locals, but the city still has a
Major credit cards are accepted or rambling package may lot to offer to gay and lesbian
at almost every hotel. If you include cycle hire, or a wellness travellers. A number of hotels
provide your credit card details package may include a couple’s cater exclusively to gay guests,
at the time of booking, it is massage at the hotel spa. Such of which the Amistad, with its
usually used as a guarantee and packages can be an economical fresh interior and smart rooms,
your card will not be actually choice. Packages can be booked and Quentin Golden Bear
charged until checkout. through the hotel booking Hotel, with comfortable rooms
However, advance payment websites mentioned in the (although some with shared
may be required in some cases, directory. Attractive deals can facilities), are great choices.
for example when booking at also be found through group Then there is a choice of
a highly discounted rate or deal websites like Groupon.com hotels that are regarded as
special package, in which case and LivingSocial.com, although gay-friendly by the International
your credit card will be charged you need to be flexible, as the Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
immediately. Most hotels will timeframes for booking and (Iglta.org), including the hip
charge a no-show fee, up to travelling are usually limited. Lloyd and the posh Grand. No
or even extending the full room hotel in Amsterdam would turn
rate, if you do not show up Travellers with away a same-sex couple, but
without prior cancellation. another particularly welcoming
As always, watch out for any Disabilities lodging, that is popular with
hidden charges, especially Many large hotels are fully women, is the Quentin.
when using the “express accessible for wheelchairs. At gay tourist information
checkout” service that many Smaller hotels may be less centres, such as Gaytic on
hotels offer. accessible, particularly those Spuistraat, visitors can pick
in historic buildings where up a free gay tourist kit and
Discounts
Many hotels and chains offer
“early bird” discounts for rooms
booked well in advance. Hotels
that cater mainly to business
travellers during the week, will
often offer discounts to leisure
travellers over the weekend
and conversely, hotels that are
usually full with tourists at the
weekends may offer reductions
on weekdays.

Packages
Many hotels offer special
packages of one or two nights,
with breakfast and dinner
included. These packages are
often based on a particular InterContinental Amstel (see p397) in Amsterdam (right), with its picturesque location

388-391_EW_Netherlands.indd 390 16/01/17 12:08 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm