Your houseboat is moored with its South view on one of the most romantic and peaceful canals, surrounded by a 17th Century architecture and the Carillon of Zuiderkerk painted by Claude Monet.
You will appreciate being located in the historical area of Nieuwmarkt, 5 minutes walking distance from Central Station or 50 meters from the metro station 'Nieuwmarkt', 1 minute walking distance from 12 restaurants, 5 supermarkets (7/7 - 8 to 2am), the Flea Market, most museums and great sightseeing spots.
One bedroom with king size bed 2m/1m80, satin bed linen and overhead window for watching stars.
Flat screen cable TV, WiFi, cable Internet and Windows PC.
You can fully count on support of your host before, for all your stay and after if you need.
Minimum 3 nights, beyond 3 nights, decreasing rate on request.
Houseboat description
The cozy "décor bohème" and "style boudoir à la française", reflect the spirit of your host, the love of travel and freedom. The inside feels rich with warm colors, vintage leather furnishings and natural wood.
You will much appreciate to stay in your houseboat in the 'Old Center' of Amsterdam but in the residential part : 'East side'.
You will much appreciate to stay in your canal which was peaceful and green unlike the more touristy waterways, which are too noisy and prone to all sorts of traffic (cars, buses/boats traffic).
It is the Raamgracht canal : No traffic with narrow/oneway street and canal, with lush greenery shading over all the boats. Only traffic with animal life in aquatic environment with swans, ducks, coots, herons, gulls and many other surprises cruising around your houseboat!
The hull (Praam type) and boat were built during 'La Belle Epoque' in 1898 which makes one of oldest boats of Amsterdam. The last complete renovation was in 2012 to the best standards but respecting its historic charm.
A praam is a type of shallow-draught flat-bottomed ship, was particularly developed in the Netherlands in the 17th Century, reaching about 20 m in length. These large praams could be operated with oars but also to sail, with a pair of lateral fins. Their shallow draft (no more than two feet) allowed them to move goods (unshipped from the Harbour) in all canals of Amsterdam.
Why Live In A houseboat ? : I understood that a flat is too noisy, as the walls are too thin with buildings on pilotis in Amsterdam. A barge is too steep-sided.
Only 50 meters from the subway station "Nieuwmarkt" EXIT "Nieuwe Hoogstraat" (the first stop after the Central Station: all lines : 51, 54 and 53). You can take the lead car and you're near the exit "Nieuwe Hoogstraat." Taking the escalator or the elevator arrived on the surface, you go to the opposite direction and cross Zuiderkerkhof which is the church yard. After passing the church Zuiderkerk 30 meters and crossed the courtyard, you go straight taking the Moddermolenstraat 20 meters and will see your Raamgracht waterway. Your houseboat is moored on the corner at your right, the most ornate with its two flowerbeds or gardens.
- or five minute walking distance or 800 meters from the Central Station. Follow straight along the 3 canals "Geldersekade", passing through the Medieval gate Nieuwmarkt at 400 meters from the Central Station, then "Kloveniersburgwal" to "Raamgracht" then go to the fourth boat in front of number 35 building), the most ornate with its two flowerbeds or gardens. There are only 5 boats at Raamgracht and on same side.
Direct Rail Link connects Schiphol International Airport to Central Station and is the fastest and most convenient way to get to your houseboat If you take a taxi, you can write your address on paper (Woonboot/Houseboat at Raamgracht 35 G Amsterdam in front of number 35 building) and give to the taxi driver. It will be easier.
About the area
You will appreciate being located in the historical area of Nieuwmarkt at 1 minute walking distance from 12 restaurants, 5 supermarkets (7/7 - 8 to 2am), the Flea Market, most museums and great sightseeing spots.
In your houseboat at your arrival, your host will give you all information about your stay and the neighborhood, with supermarkets, restaurants, museums, etc. everything you need to know with a guests' guide.
Do not hesitate to request more information if you need about your arrival and your stay.
You will much appreciate to sleep in your bedroom with your king size bed 2m/1m80, satin bed linen and overhead window for watching stars.
You will much be delighted to take your warm and comfortable shower with your "douche à l'italienne" with a tiled heating floor and an electric heater with all thing you need : soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, body creams, cotton swabs, hair dryer, towels, etc.
Bathrooms:
1 Bathroom(s) Number of en-suite - 1 Number of toilets - 1
Added by: Diana Macfarlane, date added: , country: South Africa
Renting Lionel’s boat on the canal and seeing the tourists float by was very memorable. We lived the Netherlands culture by renting bicycles close by, shopping for groceries or visiting the market a stone's throw away, eating lunch in the park and of course relaxing on the cozy boat with a glass of wine. Upon arrival, Lionel greeted us and familiarized us with the amenities. The computer with internet access was very useful for finding landmarks or communicating with Lionel quickly. Everything listed on the website was available and functional. There were no smoke or animal odours. Lionel was at our disposal and could easily arrange for horse and buggy ride for a fee but we had other plans. Thank You, Lionel, for sharing your lovely little piece of Amsterdam.
Cancellation by owner
Added by: Www.bookahouseboat.com, date added: , country: Netherlands
Attention: Owner recently cancelled a 3-night booking.
Not your run of the mill stay in Amsterdam
Added by: Yifeng Hengli Chan, date added: , country: Singapore
Quiet but central location in the city; easily accessible by Metro one block away; friendly and accommodating host who made sure everything was the way it should be - and it was. The description online is accurate. Made for a comfortable stay for four days and nights around New Years'.
No issues with heat, plumbing or appliances at all during our stay. Would strongly recommend to someone who is looking for an alternative to your typical bricks and mortar hotel room in the city! Give it a shot.
Comfort in the HEART of Amsterdam
Added by: Kelly Tab, date added: , country: Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Perfect location on a quiet canal. Close to everything we wanted to see and do. Felt like coming home after each outing. Lionel was the perfect host and could not do enough to ensure a wonderful stay. Loved sharing the view with the boats that cruised by...and the ducks, of course. A cool and authentic way to enjoy the city!
Lovely Houseboat Centrally Located!
Added by: Mya Win, date added: , country: United States
We had a lovely week in Amsterdam! We were greeted, very early in the morning, by Lionel at the houseboat. He welcomed us, showed us around the houseboat and how everything worked, and gave us a quick overview of the neighborhood. The houseboat was quaint and cozy, perfect for a romantic getaway! The bed was very comfortable and the bedroom cozy. The living room offered great views of the canal and the passing boats. The kitchen was perfectly outfitted with anything you could need. Lionel had made sure it was stocked with coffee and teas as well as spices, etc., for cooking. The bathroom, a wet room, was large and modern with plenty of hot water. We loved the centrally located yet very quiet neighborhood! We met one of our neighbors a few boats down at a neighborhood restaurant - lovely folks! The neighborhood has lots to offer for shopping and dining. We highly recommend Lionel's houseboat!
The right host at the right boat at the right canal in Amsterdam !
Added by: Roby Hudson, date added: , country: Australia
Lionel's houseboat combines both the charming, laid-back setting reminiscent of the late sixties "flower power, free love" days coupled with an ideal central location to all important things to enjoy in Amsterdam. We spent a memorable & relaxing time on his lovely boat watching swans & ducks swimming by. Great fun.
Amazing!!
Added by: Melissa Stover, date added: , country: United States
We absolutely loved our three nights on Lionel's houseboat. Our stay there was definitely the best part of our European vacation, and we truly hated to leave. The houseboat is on a beautiful canal in a peaceful neighborhood, yet it's just a very short walk to museums, shops, open air market, and restaurants. We went on one of those guided canal tours, and our captain highlighted this canal as "one of the most beautiful in all of Amsterdam". We pointed out the houseboat and told him we were staying there, and the captain said, "You are very lucky to be staying on this canal!". Lionel was the perfect host. He welcomed us warmly, even though we were late. He told us everything we needed to know about the boat and the neighborhood. I accidentally left something behind when we left, and Lionel was so gracious about sending it to me, even though I know it meant a lot of extra work on his part. He is a wonderful host -- a true gentleman. We hope to visit Amsterdam again in a year or two, and we will definitely stay on Lionel's houseboat again. It made our entire stay in Amsterdam very special.
Encore!
Added by: ERIC LOPIN, date added: , country: France
Nous avons passé 1 semaine complète sur le Houseboat de Lionel qui s'est mis en 4 pour nous rendre service et rendre notre séjour plus agréable. Le houseboat est très bien équipé et décoré avec beaucoup de gout. Il est situé sur un canal paisible dans le centre d'Amsterdam (ce qui est plutôt rare), très pratique car nous étions près de tout à pied ou à vélo. La station de métro Nieuwmarkt est à 1 minute. Lionel, qui parle parfaitement le Français, a également accueilli notre petite chienne à bras ouvert. Nous avons prévu d'y retourner lors de notre prochain voyage à Amsterdam.
We spent a whole week in may in with our little dog who was more than welcome aboard. Lionel's boat is cosy, well equiped and beautifully decorated in bohemian style. Our host was really charming and sweet and made everything possible to make our stay very comfortable. The houseboat is located on a quiet canal in the center of Amsterdam (yes, that's possible!) so we where close to everything. Highly recommended for a unique experience in Amsterdam, we have planned to book it again for our next trip to this wonderful city.
We didn't want to leave!!
Added by: Lewis Gwoods, date added: , country: England
We had such a wonderful time staying on Lionel's boat that neither of us wanted to leave. We found ourselves forsaking museum visits so that we could simply "hang around" on the boat and just take a few walks around the city. We can't recommend staying on Lionel's houseboat enough... we'll definitely be back.
Perfection
Added by: Rowan Upton, date added: , country: Canada
My husband and I absolutely loved our stay. The house boat provided a cozy, bohemian setting for the ultimate Amsterdam experience. Lionel (who could not be any sweeter) went above and beyond to make sure we were settled in despite our delayed arrival with a thorough orientation and invitation to help ourselves to anything In his (well stocked) kitchen, computer, library and bathroom (toiletries included)! Only a 5 minute stroll to Rembrandt's house, morning markets and city centre, yet perfectly situated In a serene, beautiful canal complete with ducks and the occasional swan! We cannot wait to return and wouldn't want to stay anywhere else.
Excellent
Added by: John Rew, date added: , country: Australia
Excellent location, very quiet, but close to the exciting heart of Amsterdam
Excellent boat, comfortable, warm and well equiped
Excellent host, very helpful and with good advice
Exactly what we wanted
Added by: Christopher Barton, date added: , country: United States
From my initial booking enquiry to comprehensive information via E-mail, Lionel was an absolute gem. The information he gave us, even down to the link to print train tickets at home, was invaluable. He was available to us if we needed to contact him at any time. Lionel is a fantastic welcomer, taking time to show us around the houseboat and its gorgeous little quirks! We couldn't have asked for a better location to explore Amsterdam from walking distance to all the attractions, Rembrandt's house literally only around the corner! It was lovely to sit eating breakfast while watching the ducks swimming by the window, and seeing the canal tour boats pass at the top of the canal. We loved the decor, the slight roll of the houseboat, and just the idea of such a different way to experience Amsterdam. Lionel really offers a great alternative holiday destination and we were delighted to have wi-fi access on the boat. We would love to return to the Raamgracht again some day, in the meantime, if you are looking for a break with privacy, convenience, ambiance and just that little bit different, I would definitely recommend contacting Lionel. Thank you so much for your help and advice before and during our stay Lionel, it was all we could have wished for.
Would recommend it to everyone
Added by: Nigel Keeley, date added: , country: Norway
We booked a long weekend in Amsterdam this Winter and were looking for a more original place to stay. This houseboat was just what we were looking for and it did not disappoint. It's very central in town. Big stores nearby to do some grocery shopping. Yet it is still very quiet. The boat itself is pretty big, with a nice kitchen, good bathroom, spacious living room and very comfortable bed (including a window in the ceiling to look at stars and birds) The reception by the owner was very friendly and the small tour very informative. To the people that want a different experience than the standard hotel room, I would highly recommend it.
Quaint and convenient
Added by: Alexis Lyons, date added: , country: United States
The houseboat was a lovely place to stay, just a few minutes walk from all the attractions of Centrum, but also on a quiet and peaceful street. The boat itself was very nice, with an eclectic decor and ambiance, as well as all the modern conveniences. I would highly recommend it as a place to stay in Amsterdam.
All around super rad!!
Added by: Nick Hess, date added: , country: England
Lionel's house boat is super comfy & super cozy!.. Super relaxing!.. Everything was perfect.. & such a great location.. I walked to everything I wanted to see & do.. My only regret is my stay was too short..! I will definitely stay again & will stay longer next time!..
It was our second stay, always so bewitching !
Added by: Andy Malmquist, date added: , country: United States
Again, we decided to come back for two weeks. We had again a really good stay. Lionel is very helpful and makes you feel totally welcome. Any comfort in a warm vibes and boheme style. We love very nice opening above bed. You can watch moon and stars lying in bed. Lionel, with his nice home, friendly, will give you lots of tips. We yet booked our next stay in 2016.
Personality PLUS!
Added by: Christopher Wilkinson, date added: , country: United States
After staying in Lionel's unique, Bohemian houseboat, I actually felt sorry for tourists who choose to spend their few precious days in Amsterdam in a cookie-cutter hotel. Not us! There is no where on the planet like Lionel's place. Do you want to feed ducks and swans out the window as you eat your meal? Do you want a kitchen that is stocked with kitchen ware and spices? Do you love an abundant display of flowers at your front door? Do you want to be 1 1/2 blocks from a large grocery store and wine store? Do like the sound of church bells ringing on the quarter hour (turned off at night)? Do you want to be in walking distance to EVERYTHING? Do you want to stay somewhere with PERSONALITY? This is your place...
A Fun Adventure in the Heart of Amsterdam!
Added by: Anna Hazel, date added: , country: England
My husband and I had a great time at this canal boat which is in a great location for walking all around the bustling city of Amsterdam. Lionel personally welcomed us at the canal home and gave us a thorough orientation of the house and the surrounding eateries. The furnishings are eclectic and not fancy, but thoroughly comfortable. I am so glad we chose this home for 3 nights. Dank u wel, Lionel!
Wonderful 3 night stay
Added by: Jessie Paull, date added: , country: England
We had a wonderful 3 night stay in Lionel's houseboat. The location couldn't be better - very close to restaurants, farmer's markets, shops, everything you'd want to see, but off a small canal which is quiet and peaceful. A lot of fun and a different experience from the normal hotel room! Lionel was very accommodating, friendly and helpful, forthcoming with local advice on restaurants and insider tips (he recommended going to the Van Gogh Museum late on Friday night which was accompanied by music and without school children- a nice change from the usual experience!). The boat was clean, safe and had everything we could want for a great stay. Highly recommended!
Great stay
Added by: John NY City, date added: , country: United States
Again, we decided to come back for two weeks. We had again a really good stay. Lionel is very helpful and makes you feel totally welcome. Any comfort in a warm vibes and boheme style. We love very nice opening above bed. You can watch moon and stars lying in bed. Lionel, with his nice home, friendly, will give you lots of tips. We yet booked our next stay in 2014.
Unique houseboat at a great location
Added by: Jana D, date added: , country: Germany
The houseboat has a unique and lovely interior and the host is a very friendly guy who thinks about every possible detail. The boat is close to the centre, but at night the area is still very quiet so you can sleep well. The flea market across the street and the shops around are a real treat. We were overloaded with very useful information, and we felt so welcome. Will definitely return when we come to Amsterdam again!
Sounds awkward, but it's very nice!
Added by: Anders Kluver, date added: , country: Germany
We have spend 4 nights in this peculiar and amazing houseboat. The interior is strange with its butterfly theme, its golden ceiling and its carpented walls and the large amount of mirrors. It sounds awkward but is actually very nice - you absolutely feel at home even if it's not your style. We enjoyed every minute of our stay in the boat and preferred to dine at the boat two evenings. The boat is located in a great canal, close to the Waterloo square and the river Amstel. You will find nice restaurants, beautiful lunch places and lovely shops. The boat is very recommendable for 2 persons. Lionel is a very attentive host who takes good care of his guests. Do book this boat - you won't regret it. Thanks Lionel for a nice stay! Anders
Great houseboat experience
Added by: Norma C, date added: , country: United States
Staying here was a great way to spend time while visiting Amsterdam!
And for single lady visiting Amsterdam, I can tell you that I came and went from the houseboat at all hours. It's in a quiet neighborhood and I felt completely safe alone. It's about a 5-10 minute walk to Dam Square, and the Red Light District. And many more interesting places all around. Lionel takes a great deal of time covering everything on the houseboat and how it works. He also gave me his cell phone number in case I need anything during the stay which again was comforting since I was in a foreign city and I didn't know a soul! Overall, it was a great experience! Norma
Lovely bohemian houseboat in Amsterdam centre
Added by: Steve Johnson, date added: , country: England
We have stayed in this lovely houseboat for some days and loved every minute of it. The host Lionel was great and the "Bohemian" decoration of the houseboat was fun yet comfy.
The location is simply terrific for seeing the city. We walked about everywhere we wanted and the tram and bus were only minutes away.
At night the tranquility of the neighborhood was amazing (remember you're in the city centre!) with the cosy rocking of the boat. The ducks and swans drifted by in front of the open windows, that was a treat. The restaurants that were recommended by Lionel were fantastic and overall we had an amazing time in Amsterdam.
Would come back any time!
Steve
Very comfortable and centrally located houseboat
Added by: Manoj D, date added: , country: India
The stay on Lionels was super comfortable, the boat has about everything you need and is centrally located. You can get anywhere in amsterdam very fast, and the metro station next door is absolutely great! Overall the stay was lovely and I would recommend it to everyone who loves this cosy boat.
Love, Manoj
Great location and nice boat
Added by: Luca D, date added: , country: Spain
The stay was just perfect. Lionel is a lovely person and the boat is so cute! The location is just perfect and inside the houseboat you will find anything you need. So I will absolutely come back in the future. Luca
If it's not there, you don't need it!
Added by: Scotty, date added: , country: England
The host Lionel has really thought of anything you can imagine. If it is not there, you don't need it.The houseboat is tidy, neat, clean and very cosy. And the location is absolutely great in the old city of Amsterdam with a supermarket around the corner. We will rent this place again during a future trip. Loved it! Scotty
Die Beste Lage Von Amsterdam!
Added by: Drei Engel Fur Charlie, date added: , country: Germany
Das Hausboot von Lionel war absolut sauber und ganz gemutlich. Die Lage haben wir definitiv die beste von Amsterdam gefunden. Es war ruhig und trotzdem ist es ins mitten von der Stadt! Wir haben eine super schone Ferien gehabt. Vielen Dank Lionel!
Lionel After a life of being a historian, your host decided to live 2 dreams. The 1st was to be in the "Old Center" of Amsterdam ( but in the residential part : East side). The 2nd was to live in a canal but very peaceful and green, unlike the major 'very touristy' waterways (being too noisy with cars and tourists' buses/boats traffic).
It is the 'Raamgracht' canal : No traffic with narrow/oneway street and canal, a beautiful tree-lined canal with lush greenery shading over all the boats.
A flat ? too noisy (As walls are too thin), a barge ? too steep-sided. Your host loves and enjoys the "houseboat". Only renting it when your host is in countryside, a "polder", very closeby.
Therefore, it is not a merely an impersonal and soulless rental property. Your host prefers to welcome friends and guests in a friendly spirit rather than dealing with business customers.
Historic center