Hi! in my opinion the best place to stay depends what are you looking for.. if u look for night life, the better place to stay definitely is Jordaan or Grachtengordel-Zuid but if u want to enjoy the Amsterdam nature and culture I recommends any hotel or hostal near of Vondelpark or around the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Good Luck!

I am living in Amsterdam and I highly recommend you to stay in the Jordaan. You can explore the whole city on foot as Amsterdam is pretty small actually. If you would like to see some countryside, you should hire a bike and explore the area north of Amsterdam (Durgerdam, Uitdam, Broek in Waterland). Absolutely beautiful. There are lots of great AirBNB offers in the city centre. You will love this great city.

I stayed in Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam which was near many things we enjoyed. We were near the Anne Frank House and the Red Light District. The hotel was fantastic as well, our balcony was right on the water of a canal. 

Center is the best! but might be a bit more expensive. Where the pin is placed is the center.  Amsterdam
Also " Amsterdam-Noord" would be more cheap to stay and there is a free boat that takes you from "Noord" to the center.

But if you can try within the " Grachtengordel-Zuid" that's where most things are located. 

It's the part that I've highlighted on this map: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s35/sh/c35c066f-ce64-4eb3-9714-f55e618affd5/1644e9b9e15334fc448e62baf5e40afa

Hi Christopher,

With your purpose in mind, I would recommend staying 'De Pijp' Albert Cuypmarkt. A cosy and trendy neighborhood with plenty of bars, restaurants. 

Here's a list of places in AirBnB:

https://www.airbnb.nl/s/Amsterdam--Nederland?neighborhoods[]=De+Pijp

If you can manage to find something there definitely the Jordaan! It is charmingly beautiful with it's historic houses and cobblestone streets and at the same time full of nice cafés and bars. And if you feel like going out you're close to city center and the two main places, where you'll find bigger bars and clubs: Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. If that's not possible try staying close to there, even Leidseplein is fine, but will be more touristic and therefore louder.