Hi all,

I just want to warn people who are looking for a great time in Amsterdam and plan to stay on a houseboat during their visit.
I usually stay on houseboats during my visits, only because you have much more space available than in the hotel rooms, except you book a hotel suite....
Well, this time (last week) I stayed at a houseboat, too which I have booked over the internet - it was more or less all crap - not really the boat, more the owner.
When I made the reservations sometimes last year it looked promising. Yes, I am a photographer and know how good pictures can be taken. I took that into account and all the promises I got by Efren (the owner).
The best part of the houseboat was it's loacation - in the Singel gracht - right beneath the Heineken brewery. But that was it about.
I was promised to have the whole houseboat all by myself - no other people nor the owner on the boat.
What I got was a tiny littly room (even the botel rooms are bigger) and my own private bathroom. I was told that the owner has to be onboard for legal reasons - which I don't believe because it was never the case before.
The advertised fast internet connection was not working either in my room!
We are talking 120 Euros per night, here. I don't really care about the money but I want the appropriate value for it.
I booked four nights and on the last evening the owner told me he was "so sorry" he had some double bookings. If it's okay if I move to the other room....
Well, I agreed and Eferen offered a 50 % discount on the last night, which he will leave in cash for me on the table after my return from dinner he said.
As expected - no cash refund on the kitchen table. So I had to call him on my departure the next day and told him he still owes me some money.
Finally he got there and paid the 60 Euros.

Conclusion:

Location - superb
Owner - bad business practice/attitude (I think that is polite enough to describe that desaster).

We've just returned from Amsterdam. This cozy, romantic houseboat was the perfect place to celebrate our 30th- so glad we discovered it through Tripadvisor. Everything was just as described in the reviews- and better. We loved everything about it, and staying on the water made us feel closer to the life of the city. Thank you, Efren!

Efrin ( the owner of the boat) was the greatest! It's a beautiful location in, quite possibly the quietest street in Amsterdam. He was so accomodating. Our breakfast was included, so instead of disturbing our sleep, he just stocked a small fridge and cabinet full of food for us to wake and eat at our leisure. The boat had a private room and bathroom.... and a large bathroom at that... plenty of space. He was in and out periodically but we never really heard him. He has a seperate area across the boat that is locked away. He made our stay there so personal, I feel like we have a friend in Amsterdam now! I would reccomend it over a hotel any day!

I enjoyed my stay on the houseboat. The place is very clean and accessible to all tourist areas. The owner was very accommodating and showed me around the city. I would recommend this place to anybody who wants to feel the real feeling to live in Amsterdam. Thanks Efren!