Apartments Amsterdam - Houseboats Amsterdam - Amsterdam Apartments

I'd like to thank Irene for her wonderful hospitality and perfect accommodation. My boyfriend and I stayed at the houseboat for a few days at the end of last September. The wifi wasn't working correctly, but she was hard at work repairing it. It really wasn't an issue because wifi is accessible in many places in the city. The important aspect of the boat was that it was very clean and cozy. She provided us with multiple resources and travel guides to get to know the city, and fresh linens and towels. The boat itself is perfect for two people, with a heavy water pressured shower and big, comfortable bed. The little balcony over the water was an added bonus, as well as the swans who visited everyday. The area was pretty quiet, except for some boat traffic in the morning and clock bells ringing every hour. The bells actually added a mystique to the setting which was surprisingly comforting and not annoying. Thank you, once again, for making our first trip to Amsterdam one of a kind. We highly recommend this houseboat and look forward to staying here in the future.

Absolutely nice, cozy and comfortable accommodation. The place is just what you need in the foreign city - exotic, in the very center but quite and relaxing. The canal itself is one of the most beautiful in Amsterdam. Irene, the owner is very hospitable and helpful. So i would definitely recommend this boat for those who want to experience true Amsterdam!

We are very happy about the accomodation.
It was nice, clean and our hostes (Irene) left a bottle of wine and flower on the table.
The only problem was that interenet was not working but this, for what we have understood, was due to the previous guest who had broken the modem..anyway not a big deal.
We will surely suggest Housboathotels to our friends and we hope to come back.

Thanks
Paolo Simonelli

Myself, husband and daughter stayed on this charming houseboat for 4 nights. It's right where we wanted to be to experience life in Amsterdam and be in close walking distance to everything - Dam Square, Anne Frank's museum, Westerkerk, hiring bikes, canal boats, great cafes, restaurants and bars. There is lots of traffic on this canal and the Westerkerk bells chime constantly but this added to the charm for us. Irene was very helpful if we needed anything. Thanks for a memorable experience to take back to Australia.

The stay on the boat was wonderful. The owner is a very likable lady who had welcomed us with roses and sparkling wine. The site at Prinsengracht is marvelous. Very recomanndable. We are very satisfied and definetely will come back.

Recibimiento con botella de vino, unas flores para adornar la estancia. A pesar que casi no pudimos hablar, agradecemos estos detalles a Irene. La casa es acogedora y la ubicacion excelente. Sin dudarlo es totalmente recomendable.

Despite terrible weather we really enjoyed the houseboat,which is in a great location,which counts for everything.Our host Irene was delightful and made us very welcome.Would we go again,you bet we would.

Thanks for everything

The houseboat is in a great location, just a short walk to the Anne Frank House and very central to everything. Irene was very nice and left us some prosecco and fresh flowers. The house is what I would consider rustic but was very comfortable. Take note there is no door on the bathroom and no soap was provided. There was a tiny bottle of shampoo but certainly not enough for shampooing and soaping your body for 3 days. Not only that but it took us forever to find a store that sold soap and shampoo. The TV is very old and very small and the sound doesn't get very loud. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would do the houseboat experience again.

Perfekt stay. Lively spot. We would love to return.

The best possible setting, accommodation, and location from which to see Amsterdam! We’ve never been happier with a decision. Our host, Irene was delightful and her houseboat is clean, well-equipped, and romantic. Nestled into the most picturesque part of the coveted Prinsengracht canal, we felt part of a neighborhood where locals shopped, and ate, yet we were also a quick walk to Dam Square, Central Station, and The Jordan. We loved having boats float by too, it just added to the sensation that we were in the middle of everything; can’t wait to get back!

Lovely boat, excellent location (unfortunately noisy at night due to perfect weather and therefore lot of "traffic" on the canal). Irene was very welcoming, helpful and relaxed as all the people from Amsterdam. We had a wonderful time enjoying the boat with its nice and simple decoration (all white) and recommend this boat any time.

Our stay on houseboat B044 has been an extraordinary experience - something special and totally different from average hotel accomodation. The location of houseboat B044 on Prinsengracht is excellent - at sight of Anne Frank house and church Wester Kerke, vis-a-vis Café t'Smalle, where we had breakfast. The very central posistion of B044 gave us the opportunity to have the center of the old city of Amsterdam within walking distance including the majority of interesting sights, attractions and restaurants. The organisation and housekeeping was excellently done by Irene Swiers, who proved to be a well imformed, friendly and charming lady.

It was our first time to visit Amsterdam. Staying at the boat was a totally different experience, more like a local way of exploring the city. The location is great, right in the centre, but not too touristy, the boat is really spacious and comfortable, got a nice balcony with a view to die for, from the balcony we fed the ducks and water birds. Irene, the hostess, was so lovely and helpful! Would love to come back again!
Would recommend this House-Boat to anyone interested in holidaying in Amsterdam. We were there in February 2011, cold outside but the boat was very warm and cosy. Thanks to Irene for the flowers and wine etc.

My wife and I found the houseboat in a perfect location. We stayed for three days and this part of town appeared very appealing to us. Cosy atmosphere, tons of bars and good restaurants, interesting shops with friendly people.The interior set up was very nice, clean and ideal for two people. Our landlady has been extremely friendly, helpful and practical throughout our communication.
We will come back next year maybe even earlier to experience the Jordaan in the summer time.
Sorry can't say anything negative...

We found this a great place to stay for our short break in Amsterdam. The boat is very centrally located which meant we were able to walk from the train station and could walk around the whole time we were there. It is in a very nice part of town with lots of places to eat and shop.

The boat was great for our 5 month old baby, we could easily get the buggy on board and the self catering facilities and nearby restaurants made it easy to put her to bed and have a nice evening meal.

The boat was lovely. Very clean and modern. Irene the host was very helpful and made us feel welcome with flowers, wine and biscuits on arrival. It was also very warm which was really important as it was snowing outside.

We would highly recommend this as a great place to stay in Amsterdam.

My husband & I booked the boat house for 5 nights and totally enjoyed our stay. The location was fantastic, within walking distance from the Central Station and the city centre. There is an open market a street away from us which was very convenient.

The decor is very charming and the host even left fresh flowers and a bottle of wine on the dining table to welcome us.

The boathouse is ideal only for couples as there isn't a door to the WC. The masterbed is very comfortable and we were greatful for the free internet.

I would recommend this boathouse to any couple wanting a special, romantic experience in Amsterdam!

This place was awesome, great loacation very clean upon arrival. Irene met us there. She was great, brought us a bottle of wine and flowers. Nice touch! I would highly recommend this place. We will back some day for sure!

The houseboat was great location and very nice stay. The bathroom door was a little weird but worked out fine. Sitting on the deck watching boat and people go by is a little slice of heaven on earth. I would go back anytime.

it's a very nice place, good location, wonderful neighborhood. Irene is a friendly and excellent host... she has made the houseboat lovely and warm.... my sister and i had really great time stayed in here... would love to come back again...

We will definitely be back here again. Irene's friendly welcome (thanks for the wine and lovely flowers) was just the start. This is a very comfortable place to stay close enough to the centre but set in a quiet neighbourhood with lots of unique shops, galleries & eating places. We loved the canal life, sitting on the deck with a glass of wine watching the boats and ducks (the swans tap on the window for their breakfast too!) We have visited Amsterdam several times and think that this is one of the best accomodations we have used.

We had a wonderful time in the very charming houseboat

I had a great stay in this houseboat. Irene was excellent as a host. The houseboat has anything you would need to have a uniquely Amsterdam experience. Smoking friendly is definately the way to go. For my gf and I who visited Amsterdam withing a year of this perticular visit it was nice to have a real holiday were we didnt do any tours and kinda just lived in Amsterdam for a couple days. The only things that maybe bad things to some is one, tourists can look in the living room porion of the houseboat as they pass by on canal tours. My girlfriend and I just ignored them. The second thing is if you are really afraid or allergic to spiders, there were probably more than I would have wanted to see but not enough to keep me from going back in the future. Would recomend to others.

We've been to Amsterdam couple of times, but loved staying at the houseboat so much, that it felt like we've never been to the city before. Staying at the boat was a totally different experience, more like a local way of exploring the city. The location is great, right in the centre, but not too touristy, the boat is really spacious and comfortable, got a nice balcony with a view to die for. We've just stayed there for hours, feeding ducks and water birds and having a dinner. And Irene, the hostess, was so lovely and helpful! Would love to come back again!

Irene is great and so is her houseboat.The Location is great- right in the center of the Jordan. All types of restaurants are within blocks walking. There is a grocery store within 5 blocks if you want snacks, wine or to cook on the boat. The houseboat is very comfortable and well stocked. I would love to use this houseboat again without any doubts.

William Barrow
Houston, Texas USA

I have lived in Europe for 10 years and have always toyed with idea of renting a houseboat in Amsterdam. Finally did it! And I'll do it again in a heartbeat with THIS boat. I researched houseboats quite a bit and decided that this was the best one for us in terms of size, accessability and location. You are right smack in the middle of the most beautiful area of Amsterdam, in terms of pubs, restaurants, wonderful brick-a-brac shops. But yet we had no problems sleeping at night. Slept like rocks in fact. Waiting for us upon arrival were fresh flowers and sparkling wine...Irene - the owner - is obviously very well versed in hospitality and knows that these special touches are what make a trip memorable. By far, the best part of renting a houseboat is feeling like a local. And waving at all the "tourists" on the boats as they float by :-) Highly recommended.

Even we saw the pictures online before, we were really amazed, what a nice place we met. After a day full of sightseeing and shopping we cane "home" and relaxed on our terrace, watching inhabitants and other tourists, passing our boat.
The facilitiies were a kind of unusual, but fitted texactly o the boat and were more nice, than uncommon.
We will come again for sure...:-)

We had a really wonderful stay in this houseboat. The boat had everything we needed, and the owner was very helpful. The houseboat is located in a beautifull
neighbourhood - the atmosphere around Prinsengracht is perhaps the best in Amsterdam. It is a perfect place to stay, close to the center of the city, lots of restaurants in the area, and easy to get to the museums and other attractions.

From the private little garden out front to the window-boxed terrace at the back, everything about Boat 44 was delightful and welcoming -- the sparkling accommodations, views, fabulous cafes and restaurants, unique shops, and friendly neighbors who made us feel at home in Amsterdam. The enormous shower was as unexpected as the views of canal traffic from the toilet. (But who cares? The tour boats don't stop, you can see them better than they can see you, and what they CAN see is only from the shoulders up, anyway.) Many thanks to boat-hostess Irene for all she did. We'll be back.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA

We stayed on this lovely houseboat for 4 days and everything
was just perfect. Houseboat is in a great location and Irene is a wonderful host.
Staying on a houseboat has to be the best way to stay in Amsterdam. We will recommend this houseboat to our friends.

Mari&Risto, Finland

We reserved accommodation with Irene Swier on her boat on the Prinzengracht. We were welcomed with a huge bouquet of peonies and a bottle of wine. We enjoyed the boat, it is comfortable and well appointed and we were hospitably greeted everywhere we went. I never felt we were tourists, though I saw wonderful art in the museums and galleries and watched great soccer (the winning of the World Cup quarter finals happened during our tenurs). (Complaints on the internet re no bathroom door on this boat are silly: the shower door is either the shower door or the door separating the bed room/bathroom shower from the living/kitchen area. This is more than adequate.) Cafe dining was the best. A wonderful time away from time.

A warm welcome and a lovely place to stay

Location is great, close to the Jordan, a very hip district with lots of cafe-bars, trendy shops and restaurants. Don't miss the organic market on Saturday mornings, just across the canal. And the cafe-bar next to it (the best apple pie I've ever tried in my life!)

Irene is a very good host: flowers and a bottle of Proseco were awaiting us on the boat. It's is perfectly equiped (except for the wi-fi, which was on and off) and ready to enjoy both in Summer and Winter (very good heating system).

I recommend it 100%. Enjoy!

My friend and me stayed on the houseboat for 4 days. We were surprised by the hospitality and kindness that awaited us. Not only that we could check in earlier than our contract said, according to our arrival time and thus save precious hours of vacation! A beatiful welcome bunch of Roses and a cooled bottle of Prosecco were waiting for us on the table. The houseboat itself was clean, everything was very practible and worked well (e.g.toilet, shower, heating).
The owner of the boat, Mrs. Swier, was very friendly without being importunate.
All in all we had a wonderful time and a perfect stay on the houseboat in the beautiful Prinsengracht, one of the most scenic places in Amsterdam surrounded by terraces and Cafe`s and shops nearby.
I remember sitting on the boat's little balkony and watching the boats pass by, having a drink and - YES! - smoking is allowed!

can be warmly recommended, houseboat instead of hotel room was there from Monday to Thursday, that my pleasant experiences, will be back there one day

knut ivar..

My wife and I loved the experience of living on an Amsterdam house boat. This boat is in a great location. If you stay on Saturday, there is a farmer's market just five minute walk from the boat. The famous Pancake House is a few doors down.

The host, Irene, is a very gracious host with plenty of ideas if you don't have a preplanned agenda. We can't wait to visit again.

Thanks for the memories,
Kevin

This is the fourth boat we have stayed on in Amsterdam, and the best so far. Irene was an excellent host, and the houseboat was absolutely lovely. Simple, bright, comfortable and in a perfect location, with the streets of the Jordaan on one side of the canal and the "Nine Streets" on the other. Sitting on the balcony watching the craziness of Queens Day going off around us was particularly special.

So a big thank you to Irene and a big thumbs up for her excellent boat. This is now going to be our boat of choice on our annual trip to Amsterdam. Highly recommended.

Meine Patentochter und ich haben eine wunderbare frühlingswoche in Amsterdam verbracht.
Das Hausboot war der ideals Ort, um uns von den Ausflügen zu erholen.
Gemütlich, hell, liebevoll mit allem Nötigen eingerichtet.
Irene, die Bootsbesitzerin ist eine überaus sympatische und unkomplizierte Frau.
Wir waren rundum zufrieden.

Christine und Anatina

We enjoyed staying on Houseboat B044. It was located in a great location--very convenient. The tiny deck on the side was lovely for sitting and putting your feet up after a long day of walking the streets. It was also fun to wave to the tourist boats who looked longingly at us, sipping our wine and reading the Tribune. A few downsides: streetside traffic was noisy, sometimes until 4:00 am; no curtains on some windows along canal, so tourboats and paddle boats going by looked right in and sometimes waved to you sitting on the sofa--a little disconcerting; toilet has no door which is a little weird; kitchen sink also functions as bathroom sink, looking out over canal--also a little weird. Irene was very nice, although we didn't see her after the first day, but then we didn't need her after that.

We had a great stay on this houseboat. Irene, the owner, is a gracious and thoughtful host. She provided us with all the amenities to make us feel at home including guidebooks, fresh flowers and champagne. She was very accomodatiing without being intrusive. We would return here in a moment if the opportunity arose.

The location is great-nice neighborhood with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The center city area is accessible by tram or bicycle. Note to visitors: Lock your bikes!!

Only back a week and missing it already, it was such a relaxing environment we fell into a much needed laid-back style of life immediately. The houseboat is well equipped with everything you may need, and it was great fun being taken for a local, all the envious eyes from the passing canal traffic.
The kitchen sink is also the washbasin and the lack of a door on the toilet may put some off, no problem for me, bit of a problem for my wife, but cerainly not a deal breaker. We'll be back.
Many thanks and best wishes to Irene

The second stay on this houseboat and it's always so good.

Irene gave us a warm welcome and a delightful base on her lovely houseboat - within easy reach of the jordaan, centrum, and of course the canals - which have an added attraction when you live on them!! Simple and clean, we hope to be able to stay in the future

Peita

The house-boat is located in one of the best locations of Amsterdam surrounded by trendy cafes, pubs with a really interesting atmosphere. The interior of the houseboat is perfect for a short stay and is even better than it looks in the photos. The owner is easy going and very helpful. Definitely planning to come back to the some place some time.

First time in a house boat and i will rebook every time i will be in amsterdam, sure!
thank you.

t.

The houseboat provided by the Swier Family proved the best possible home for our quick stay in Amsterdam. Clean, fabulously located, easy to use, with full amenitites and a great view, there is rarely a better location in such a beautiful city. Many thanks to Irene.

- Craig Zematis
(London)

Really enjoyed stay. lovely cosy and warm boat, great location (quiet) but close to everything. Was first time on canal boat but absolute no comparison to hotel room boat wins every time. complementary bottle of wine on arrival icing on the cake.
will definately come and stay again.

The houseboat was clean and comfortable and in an ideal location to see the city and experience the life in Amsterdam. Our hostess was kind and helpful with information about the city and restaurants and places of interest. She acted immediately when we had a water freezing issue, due to the cold weather, and solved it within a few hours so it did not interfere with our vacation. Overall, we were very pleased and stayed a total of 12 nights :)

This boat is very pleasant, very nice view and the owner Irène is so nice. We will recommand. ;-))

Everything we had hoped for, comfortable, great location. Will recommend to our friends.

We stayed in many great places on our trip but this was the most unique, the absolute best location and most comfortable bed. What it lackes in pristine cleanliness, it more than makes up for in funk and fun. Sitting on the deck with our wine and cheese in the afternoon sun, and waving to all the people in canal boats passing by made us really feel a part of the action...yet was totally relaxing after a day of sightseeing. We loved it!

We found the houseboat nice but quite simple. We were surprised to find that there was no bathroom sink, nor curtains on the kitchen windows and living room windows facing the canal. There was also very little drawers for clothing.

We loved the boat's raw charm (lots of wood indeed!). The location meant we could take advantage of popping home between things to relax and enjoy the view over the canal and boats passing by. Boat had all neccessitites, but lacked a little privacy (i.e. no blinds on kitchen sink, which doubles as wash basin, and no door between loo and bedroom). Otherwise, we truly felt we were on holiday. This is a busy canal, so if you want peace and quiet during the day pick another canal. We loved it as it was very entertaining and by the end of the night it was peaceful and picturesque. An experience we would have again!

We really enjoyed our stay. The houseboat was perfect, and situated in a wonderful part of town with restaurants, shops and bars on the doorstep.

The owner was friendly and helpful and the boat was spotless, I would defiantly go back , highly recommended.

We have stayed 6 days in this boat and had a delightful experience. Very well located to catch the feeling of the best of Amsterdam and the Joordan: peaceful sorrounding and canal sights, beautiful small and large shops of every kind, street markets, restaurants, cafes and bars, people and colors. The boat is perfect for a couple (although we acommodated for a couple of nights our 27 year old son!!) and the owner Irene was very kind and helpful in a non intrusive way. It is well equipped, the beds are comfortable and the large table serves many needs like writing, eating, playing cards, etc. We've spent a great time and look forward to coming back soon.

Andrés and Graciela, Buenos Aires, Argentina

very beatiful location, clean an confortable.

Should you have any doubts - don`t! Just go there and you won`t regret. we`ve spent there 4 days and really enjoyed it. Pros: very nice owner; great central location; quiet surrounding; envious glances of tourists passing by on canal boats while you`re resting on the terrace, glass of wine in hand; parking possible on a small street along the canal (although a bit expensive option). Cons: rather for a couple - no inner doors apart from shower glass. Generally much much nicer than staying at a hotel.