Whenever I've went abroad in the past I've always had a hotel booked in advance. Does anyone here ever just pop into hotels without booking? Say I just walked in to an average 3 star hotel in central Amsterdam any night, what are the chances they would have a spare room? And what would the price be - lower or higher than usual? Thanks.

Personally I would not take the chance unless I was coming mid-week and I was sure there were no events.

Walking in off the street for a three star will likely get you rack rate if they have rooms. Thgerefore paying higher than if you booked in advance.

If I knew when I was going, I would check costs on some of the hotel related web-sites including this board's recommendations.

If you are feeling lucky and know the dates try Priceline.

My 2 cents.

Regards, Roland

Another vote for priceline. Start your bids at 45% of list price.
You can get some amazing deals that way.

When i traveled around europe I did this with every city i went to with Amsterdam being my first stop. I was staying in hostels backpacking right enough, but never seemed to pay over the odds for april time. I think a good hostel wouldn't rip you off, but hotels may be different.

Try the VVV in Centraal Station. You can get discounted rates at hotels with vacanies.

The one time I tried this I had arrived a night early unexpectedly, not the super-high travel season (it was either May or November, I can't remember which...I might have been super-high, but not the season) and while I didn't have trouble finding hotels that had availability with no notice, they were all full price, no discount, no possibility of a discount. I tried the ol' 'but it's tonight and it's not booked yet, so wouldn't you rather get something than nothing i.e., rent to me at a lower rate' but no dice. For budgetary constraints I ended up in one of those tiny rooms above some bar. It was pretty ugly.

If there's no major event/holiday on, I have the impression that 3 star and up rooms are most always available. At full price.

Have fun!

expatsam

I would not take the risk. Assuming you are there to enjoy all the pleasures of Holland, I strongly recommend that you have made the necessary accommodation arrangements well beforehand.

I've never done it. But, when I was there back in May I stayed at the Inntel Hotel Amsterdam Centre and while I was in the lobby waiting for my room to be ready people were coming in and asking if they had a room and how much. I had the Executive Double and it cost me 160 Euros a night. They were quoting the smaller room to the people asking 225 Euros a night. I was relieved because I thought I was about to hear a much lower price than I paid.