Amsterdam hardly has hotels in the historic centre with balconies. I think the American Hotel has the most, but there are several hotels that have one or 2 rooms with a balcony. With a year to go it should be possible for you to get a reservation for a specific room.

My top 3 recommendations for affordable hotels at a canal, very stylish and small, are www.sevenbridgeshotel.nl (no balconies but room 7and A,B,C have canal view through big windows.Look at the gorgeous pictures at that website, each room has pictures).Slightly more expensive is www.ambassade-hotel.nl , also a real gem. In TA reviews I found that room 108 has a balcony overlooking the canal and room 16 a small balcony and French windows.

The Canal House Hotel near Anne Frank House (www.canalhousehotel.com) is also great ,and cheaper, but no balconies, I think.

Dutchguy, that's exactly the info I was looking for!

Thanks for responding, and I'll let you know what we decide.

Linda