Across the street from the Rijksmuseum and the airport bus
Small rooms have sinks, towels, and toiletries
Some rooms have a small, private bathroom or museum views
Charming lounge with books, art, and free tea and coffee
Free, filling breakfast with eggs and cold items
Free property-wide Wi-Fi, and loaner laptop
Basic rooms lack TVs, kettles, and safes
Steep stairs to front door, reception, and all rooms
Small surcharge for credit card payments
Reception closes at night
Minimum stay requirement (depending on season)
Hotel Museumzicht is a tiny, family-run property providing 14 charming, if basic, rooms. Located directly across the street from the Rijksmuseum, this hotel is an easy walk from all of Amsterdam’s top museums, and offers easy access to both the city center, public transport, and the airport. Its 14 clean rooms are small and simply decorated in an old Amsterdam style, with hand-picked furniture from auctions and local markets, and just the most basic amenities -- a closet, a bed, and a chair or two. All have sinks in the room, but only three rooms have private bathrooms. Free tea and coffee are always available in a charming lounge with books and big windows, and continental breakfast with eggs is served there every morning at no extra charge. It's worth comparing rates with the more modern Boutique Hotel View.
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Scene
Budget, family-run boutique with lots of local charm and an enviable location
First opened in 1938, the tiny Museumzicht is charming inside and out. This family-run boutique is housed in a lovely old Amsterdam building on the corner opposite the Rijksmuseum, with big windows offering picturesque views of the cute garden adjacent to the museum, and tons of local character. As is expected of historic structures, there is no elevator, and the stairs to reception and the rooms are steep and narrow, which makes it suitable only for people traveling light and for those who have no mobility issues. Interiors range from basic to quaint, with a minuscule front desk, walls hung with dozens of old paintings and posters, and original tiles in bathrooms. The only common space here is the lounge, which doubles as the breakfast room in the morning. Handsome wooden floors, intricate ceiling moldings, paintings and photos of all sizes, and a beautiful mantelpiece lend the space a homey feel, while wooden cafe-style tables and chairs arranged next to big windows offer plenty of space for guests to relax over a cup of coffee or tea, both of which are available free of charge. The rest of the property has a basic style that some may find more old-fashioned than charming. The owners carry out small touch-ups every year, but there haven’t been any major renovations in the last few decades, and the property has kept the same old-Amsterdam look throughout the years. While the Museumzicht is a good pick for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize proximity to the city center over amenities, those seeking something with all the mod cons may feel disappointed. The XO Hotel Inner is a cheaper option featuring contemporary (albeit small) rooms and a similar location on the other end of Museumplein. Those wanting to stay closer to the Old Center may prefer the Royal Amsterdam Hotel-Restaurant, though rooms are tiny. Hotel Amstelzicht is a tad more expensive but also more modern and closer to Dam Square and Centraal Station.
Location
Excellent location across the street from the Rijksmuseum and many trams and buses
Hotel Museumzicht has one of the most privileged locations in the Museum District -- right across the street from the Rijksmuseum, and within two blocks of some of the most exclusive shopping in town. While many of the stores in the area are expensive designer boutiques, there are also souvenir shops, and a wide array of cafes and restaurants. The hotel is around the corner from Van Gogh Museum and about a five-minute walk from Vondelpark, a beautiful park with ponds, streams, and bike and jogging paths. It is possible to walk to Dam Square and the Anne Frank House in about 25 minutes, but there are also several trams and buses right outside the front door. The airport bus also stops right across the street, and it takes about 20 to 25 minutes to get to Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport.
Rooms
Small, simple rooms with basic amenities and sinks
The hotel has 14 rooms, consisting of singles, doubles, and triples. All are small and basic, decorated in an old-Amsterdam style that can be quaint or downright old, depending on taste. Each unit has a unique design with hand-picked furniture from auctions and flea markets, but all have dark carpets, small tables with one or two chairs, closets, and contemporary artwork. While there are no frills here, many guests find rooms comfortable and adequate for a weekend, and the property offers a taste of traditional Dutch living. Other guests, however, are disappointed by the barebones rooms, a majority of which have shared bathrooms. Only three rooms have private bathrooms, while the rest have sinks and mirrors in the room and common toilets and showers on each floor. Towels, soap, soap, and body lotion are all provided.There’s free, fast Wi-Fi throughout the property, but rooms lack basics such as TVs, mini-fridges, and safes. Guests can store their valuables in a safe at the front desk. Note that steep stairs are required to reach all rooms.
Features
Free breakfast and a charming lounge with books and city views
A filling, tasty breakfast of toast, pastries, cheese, ham, and eggs is served daily free of charge in the lovely lounge, located adjacent to the front desk. There are several tables placed along the wall and windows, as well as shelves with books in different languages, and a few cute antiques. A tray with free coffee, tea, and biscuits is set out all day. The lounge is also a good spot for people-watching, featuring large windows that overlook the area around the Rijksmuseum. A couple of things to note before booking: reception closes between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and there is no elevator. Additionally, minimum-stay bookings are required during certain time periods.
