If you are looking for that little bit extra when taking a holiday then Suite 259 is the place for you! Peter and Aziz who run the B&B, place extra emphasis on the small touches that make a luxury holiday e.g. your choice of fresh flowers in the suite, free 24 hour internet access, complimentary bottle of wine on the first day, they provide bath robes, slippers and more! Oh yes you also have access to over 700 DVD's completely free, not that you need them as there is so much to do in Amsterdam! We stayed in the Grand Sahara Suite, it is on two floors with the most enormous double bed on the upper floor (note that there is a steep spiral staircase to negotiate). There are widescreen TV's with English channels (BBC1 and BBC2) in both the lounge and the bedroom. The bedroom has a shower en-suite but there is a bathroom with a Jacuzzi on the lower floor, very nice! Everything looks new and a lot of time and money has been spent on decorating and furnishing the place in an African theme including large ornamental lion and giraffe. The Grand Sahara also has a mini kitchenette with a microwave which is handy for heating up takeaway food if you decide to eat in one night on the enclosed patio with table and chairs and lots of potted plants.. Aziz is a great host and takes great pleasure in preparing superb breakfasts. He is happy to suggest things for you to try but will cook practically whatever you fancy.
Both Peter and Aziz recommend places to visit and will advise on the best way to get there i.e by tram etc. We are not great museum lovers so did not do the usual sights and enjoyed simply viewing the city by tram (very easy to use), boat trips and by Segway!! For those that have not seen or used a Segway before, these are electrically powered two wheel 'scooters' that you stand on. They are gyroscopically balanced and to go forward you simply lean forward and then you obviously lean back to brake or go backwards. They are great fun and are a good way to tour the city. A four hour tour costs 60 euros, not inexpensive but worth it for the experience! You cover a lot of ground in four hours. For more info see the website ------
Other tours that we recommend: The Zoo: some very cute baby animals to see! The Heinekin tour: (free beer at the end of it), The red light district: is worth walking round both in daytime and evening. It is very touristy, with plenty of people milling around at all times, you will feel quite safe. Although some guide books do not recommend walking down the small lanes off the main street, due to drug takers and pick pockets, if you use your common sense and wander down the busier lanes, then it is perfectly safe. Ladies take note! Do not stare too openly at the girls in the windows as they take offence and can be a bit rude! Men, go ahead and stare all you want, but be aware they will try to get your business regardless of who you are with!
Eating in Amsterdam is much like any large city. Lots of restaurants all competing for your business, but the food is very average and I would suggest getting Peter or Aziz's recommendations rather than going to these restaurants.
I would definitely stay in Suite 259 again if I was to return to Amsterdam, it is not cheap, but definitely worth it for all those extra touches of luxury that sets it apart from the usual hotels and other B&B's.








