Amsterdam is compact around its canal ring, but a hotel by Centraal, Museumplein or De Pijp still changes the trip. Pick the neighborhood by the sights you came for and the station you will arrive at.
The old centre runs south from Amsterdam Centraal through Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt. The Canal Ring wraps around it, with the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht. Jordaan sits just west of the canals and has small streets, galleries and cafés away from the busiest centre blocks.
The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk all stand on Museumplein, a short walk from Vondelpark. South of the canals, De Pijp has Albert Cuyp Market and a lot of restaurants. Ferries cross the IJ to the EYE Filmmuseum and NDSM wharf in Noord.
Schiphol has its own railway station under the terminal, with trains to Amsterdam Centraal and Zuid. Get off at whichever is closer to your hotel. Trams cover much of the inner city, and metro 52 runs from Noord through Centraal and De Pijp to Zuid.
Bikes fill the streets, and canal bridges and narrow pavements slow you down when you’re pulling a suitcase. Spring and summer have long days. Winter is damp and cool. Work out your route from the station before you decide a canal-side address is close enough.