Amsterdam CS
Amsterdam Schiphol airport
Rotterdam CS
The Hague CS
Utrecht CS (pictured below)

where you can purchase any international rail tickets. The one at Amsterdam CS is open daily between 0545 and 2100. It can be found on the western side of the station near the entrance by the taxi rank. When entering you need to get a waiting number.

There are also international ticket counters at the following stations:

Arnhem
Breda
Eindhoven
Groningen
Maastricht

where you can buy tickets to destinations in Benelux, Germany, Thalys to Paris, Eurostar to London and interrail tickets.

NSHispeed counters charge a €3.50 service fee for rail tickets to France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg and €10 for anywhere else including the UK.

Note that with the yellow self service ticket machines found at most stations you can purchase international tickets on the day to various destinations in Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg plus Lille in France.

Be warned that only machines at Schiphol airport accept Mastercard credit cards. All machines accept Dutch debit cards and some accept euro coins but not notes. There are no service fees for using the machines.

Coffee chain giant Starbucks has recently opened a new 430 square metre concept store in a former bank building on Rembrandtplein in the heart of Amsterdam. On entering the store you immediately head downstairs – the cafe is located in what used to be an underground bank vault.

The store is unlike a standard Starbucks cafe – there are actually 2 bars. The one on your right hand side sells the normal Starbucks fare and includes an in-house bakery.

The bar on your left is the “Slow Coffee Theatre” which sells Starbucks Reserve,  small batch premium coffees. Products will be tested first at this Amsterdam store before being rolled out elsewhere. (Starbucks corporate HQ for Europe/Middle East/Africa is in Amsterdam).

The decor inside the store has a unique and local feel and includes touches such as antique Delft blue tiles, a striking ceiling sculpture made from nearly 2,000 hand-cut wooden blocks and a mural highlighting the role of 17th century Dutch traders in the coffee business.

There is a lot of seating space including large Dutch oak tables and some comfy cushion seating areas. Much of the signage is in Dutch rather than English. And despite being below ground level there is plenty of light.

On our visit the coffee we had was actually very good (better than our previous Starbucks experiences in various other countries – which we find too weak and milky). While there were a lot of staff around, the service from the 2 baristas was a little slow, but they got there in the end.

The Starbucks store is located at Utrechtsestraat 9 in the large Bank building at the eastern edge of Rembrandtplein. Open daily from 0800.

Ibis Amsterdam Centre – The Ibis is located literally at Amsterdam central station with some parts of the hotel above the platform. This budget property chain offers small and basic rooms. Buffet breakfast is good if a little pricey. [Book]

Crowne Plaza City Centre Amsterdam – Located across the road from central station just a little way down the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal road, you will find the recently renovated Crowne Plaza with its well-appointed rooms. Good option for Priority Club members. [Book]

Doubletree by Hilton – Stylish property just a short walk east of the station. Contemporary rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, iMac TVs and free WiFi. Great breakfast and the Skylounge has stunning views over the city. Recommended. [Book]

Park Plaza Victoria – Literally across the road from the station at the start of Damrak this 4 star hotel has decent rooms. [Book]

Renaissance Amsterdam – Excellent choice located 5 minutes walk west of the station with pleasant rooms. Option for Marriott Rewards members. The adjacent Koepelkerk church dome is part of the hotel and is a great venue for functions. [Book]

Grand Hotel Amrath – 5 star hotel set in an art-deco building just a couple of blocks south of the station. Spacious rooms with free minibar and Nespresso coffee machines. [Book]

NH Barbizon Palace – Located next to the large St Nicolaas church opposite the station. Comfortable if somewhat dated rooms, very good breakfast. [Book]

Chic & Basic Amsterdam – Quirky concept hotel (25 rooms) on the quiet Herengracht canal some 10 minutes walk from the station. Rooms are clean, compact and basic. Freebies include WiFi internet, coffee in the lounge room and continental breakfast. Steep staircases (no lift) in the building. [Book]

This is the first Apple store in Netherlands and one of the largest in the world. Set over 2 floors it features numerous wooden tables where customers can try out various Apple products like the iPad and Macbook computers. The store has hundreds of staff milling around dressed in blue T-shirts.

There is a striking glass spiral staircase which takes you to upstairs to the Genius Bar where staff can answer questions and provide technical support. Individual appointments can be made using the Apple store app.

There are various workshops offered for consumers and business users and free internet is available.

The Apple store Amsterdam is open daily from 0900-2100 (Mon-Wed), 0900-2200 (Thu-Sat) and 1100-1900 (Sun).

Leidspeplein is in the centre of Amsterdam. It is served by trams 1, 2 and 5. Bus 197 from Schiphol airport stops nearby.

Apple Store Amsterdam, Hirschgebouw, Leidseplein 25, Amsterdam
T: +31(0)20 530 2200