Alkmaar’s Amrath Hotel: affordable, comfortable and surprisingly geek-friendly

As a geeky traveller who values affordability, comfort and a reliable internet connection, I’ve found my go-to spot in Alkmaar: the Amrath Hotel. Here’s why it’s perfect for digital nomads, remote workers and anyone who prefers functionality over frills.

Reasons to visit Alkmaar this year

There are lots more reasons to add Alkmaar to your Dutch road trip or European holiday tour, but these are the most important – and most geeky – reasons to visit Alkmaar at least once.

1. World-famous cheese market: Alkmaar is internationally known as “the Cheese City.” Every Friday morning from April to September, the historic Cheese Market takes place on the Waagplein.
2. Charming historic centre: The city boasts a beautifully preserved 17th-century canal system, narrow streets and historic buildings.
3. Vibrant food & drink scene: From cosy cafés and traditional Dutch eateries to international cuisine and local beer tastings, Alkmaar’s food scene is diverse and inviting.
4. Easy Access to nature and day trips as the city’s location makes it an ideal base for exploring the Dutch countryside, including the North Sea coast, dune reserves, and nearby historic towns
5. Great gig scene as heaps of local bands & international acts stop in Alkmaar on their European tour. Check the gig calendar of venue Podium Victorie.
6. Pinball HQ has an amazing collection of pinball machines, all in FREE PLAY mode so you can play all of them for the price of a single entrance ticket: one-time fee to unlock all the pinball magic. See for more info about Pinball HQ.
7. VintaGame, the place to be for playing pinball and classic arcade games in Alkmaar.

Check out the full list of things to do in Alkmaar and see for yourself that Alkmaar is more than just a Cheese City.

How to find a hotel in Alkmaar without breaking the bank

As Alkmaar is a relative small city, walking is the easiest way to get around. Or by bike, of course, the most Dutch transportation there is. The city centre, cheese market, historic charm can all be visited on foot. And there are various hotels dotted around the city centre: from cheap hotels to more upscale.

As Alkmaar is a city I visit on a regular basis, I have stayed at a wide variety of hotels. But there is one I seem to be coming back to over and over again: Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar. I guess I should be calling that my favourite place to stay as of now. So the perfect moment to share why Amrath has become my favourite in Alkmaar.

My experience with the Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar

When looking for a cheap hotel in Alkmaar, you’ll almost always see the Amrath Hotel ranking well in the cheapest price range. It is the cheapest hotel among the more full-service hotels. Of course, hostels are even cheaper but that’s outside the scope of this article.

The Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar is located close to the train station – easy to reach by foot as it is a 5 to 10 minutes walk – and on the edge of the city centre. Just cross the road and a bridge to enter the city centre.

The hotel is what people often call a “classic luxurious hotel” or “old-world charm”, especially when compared to the more modern hotels in Alkmaar. But in my opinion it is the classics that never die and for a reason. Amrath gets the basics right and it just works.

What the Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar does well – Why they are my favourite now!

These are the things that Amrath does well and why I would choose to stay here on my future trips.

• Spacious rooms with windows that you can open. I prefer real fresh air over aircon's “fresh air”
• The rooms are functional… There are hooks where you would want to hang stuff. Many hotels don’t have a simple hook or rack in the bathroom.
• The beds are soft, fluffy and comfy.
• Amrath’s green policy isn’t just a policy it really works in real life. Lots of hotels have the rule “towel on the rack = no fresh towel needed” and then they still replace all towels on a daily basis. At Amrath, you simply hang the Green Stay Card on the door and housekeeping will skip your room, so you can re-use your towels. As a reward you receive a drinks voucher that you can spend in the bar downstairs. Well played, Amrath.
• Good quality coffee machine and good quality – compostable – coffee cups.
• Their breakfast buffet offers plenty of options, including freshly sliced rustic bread, bread rolls, croissants, eggs, pancakes, sliced meat, cheeses, salads and muesli & yoghurt. And yes you can add breakfast to your booking, no need to wait until check-in. Or get one of those sweet deals at Amrath that includes breakfast.
• And for those of us who prioritise a stable Wi-Fi connection over a fancy lobby, Amrath is the place to be. Perfect to get work done as Digital Nomad and play some online games or watch a Formula 1 race during your time off.
• Thanks to Amrath’s location, you’re just steps away from the city centre and geeky destinations like VintaGame or Pinbal HQ, these are just as easy to reach.

For geeky travellers, Amrath ticks all the boxes: fast Wi-Fi for work or gaming, a quiet room to recharge, and easy access to Alkmaar’s vibrant music scene at Podium Victorie. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of place where you can actually get things done or binge-watch your favourite series without buffering.

And the things where Amrath could improve or the things I didn’t like

Of course, nothing is perfect so even when you stay is good there is always room for improvement. Or items I didn’t like so much and that could be a deal-breaker for you.

• Shower over bath is too oldskool for me. Some people like having a bath so shower over bath is a good compromise for them, but for me it is too oldskool. Just give me a big walk-in shower with a rain shower and I’m happy.
• Hardly any vegetarian or vegan options at breakfast.
• Placement of the TV… Yeah that remains an issue for most hotels. The placement is almost always terrible (on the desk, nah no go) and the rooms at Amrath Alkmaar are no exception. Have seen the TV being placed at various locations but none were perfect. Yes it worked, so no deal breaker for me.

How does Amrath compare to other hotels in Alkmaar?

I have stayed at both the College Hotel in Alkmaar and the Grand Hotel Alkmaar so comparing these with my several stays at Amrath Alkmaar is easy to do.

A review of the Grand Hotel Alkmaar already featured on our blog so I’ll add some brief comparison info here.

Main reason to pick each of these hotels

Let’s focus on the main reason to book a stay at any of these hotels in Alkmaar.

• Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar: Its central location (close to the train station and city centre) is key, combined with spacious and comfortable rooms they offer real value for money. Yes, I would say Amrath is a good-quality yet cheap hotel in Alkmaar. They offer a wide selection at breakfast, and yes breakfast can be added when making your booking. And most importantly, they are one of the few hotels with a Green Policy that actually works – I just love hanging that Green Stay Card on the room's door as soon as I arrive.
• Grand Hotel Alkmaar is more upscale and feels more luxurious. It is located in the city centre, in a historical building. Travellers love it for its charm and central location. Have a look at the Grand Hotel's location and rooms.
• College Hotel Alkmaar is located in a beautifully renovated 19th-century school, which adds a charm so unique that the others can’t compare with it. However, due to the historic building they don’t have as many modern amenities as the others and its rooms can be smaller or less standardised. But their breakfast is just as tasty as at the other hotels in Alkmaar.

Would I stay at Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar again?

Yes definitely. The Amrath in Alkmaar has become my go-to hotel when visiting Alkmaar. Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar won’t wow you with luxury or a fancy design, but it delivers where it counts for independent, tech-savvy travellers. Whether you’re in town for the cheese market or a digital nomad retreat, it’s a solid, no-nonsense and super affordable choice.

I can’t stand these modern hotels where design is more important than functionality. What do you think: design over functionality or the other way around? What is important for you when looking for a hotel in Alkmaar? Post it in the comment section or ask a question if you would like to know more about the Amrath Hotel in Alkmaar.