Is The Lancaster Hotel Amsterdam a good base?
The Lancaster is a 4-star, 122-room hotel in a 19th-century monumental townhouse at Plantage Middenlaan 48, directly opposite Artis Zoo. It suits travellers who want a quieter, greener base in the Plantage neighborhood, about a 10-minute walk from Waterlooplein and 15 minutes from Rembrandtplein, with tram 14 running straight to Centraal Station. The tradeoffs: the basic rooms are compact, breakfast often costs extra, and the hotel has no parking of its own.
The hotel now operates as Leonardo Boutique Hotel The Lancaster Amsterdam. Leonardo Hotels acquired it in 2024 along with the rest of the Zien Group, formerly Eden Hotels, so you may see either name on booking sites.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Address | Plantage Middenlaan 48, 1018 DH Amsterdam |
| Rating and size | 4 stars (Hotelstars Union), 122 rooms |
| Check-in / check-out | From 15:00 / until 12:00; 24-hour reception |
| Minimum check-in age | 18 |
| Breakfast | Buffet, €25 per person when not included in your rate; Mon–Fri 07:00–10:00, Sat–Sun 08:00–11:00 |
| Bar | Downstairs, daily 13:00–00:00 |
| Parking | None on site; guest discount at Artis Parking, about a 5-minute walk away |
| Pets | Allowed, €30 per pet per night |
| Bike rental | €14 for 3 hours or €18 per day, at reception |
| Sustainability | Green Key certified; room cleaning on request via the Duve app |
| Contact | +31 20 535 6888 |
Who the Lancaster suits
| Good fit | Consider elsewhere |
|---|---|
| Families visiting Artis, Micropia or the Plantage museums | Travellers who want to step straight out onto the central canal ring |
| Travellers who prefer quiet evenings to nightlife on the doorstep | Drivers who want free or on-site parking |
| Pet owners, since dogs are accepted for a fee | Guests who need a large room at the lowest rate |
| First-timers who want one direct tram to Centraal and Dam | Anyone who wants a spa or pool |
Rooms: what to expect
Room categories include Small, Comfort (single, double, twin and limited-view) and Superior King. Some rooms use historical images of the neighbourhood as decor, while others have a more eclectic urban style. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Family rooms and baby cots (€12.50 per night) are available.
Two things to check before you book. First, the entry-level rooms are small: booking sites list single rooms at about 7 m² and standard doubles at about 12 m². Second, the hotel describes itself as air-conditioned but mentions climate control specifically for Superior rooms. If cooling matters for a summer stay, confirm it for your room type.
Location in the Plantage
Plantage Middenlaan is a broad, tree-lined street east of the historic centre. It’s calmer than the canal ring but close to the city’s cultural sites. These are the places you’re most likely to walk to:
- Artis Zoo: directly across the street
- National Holocaust Museum: on the same street, at Plantage Middenlaan 27
- Hortus Botanicus and the Dutch Resistance Museum: short walks within the Plantage
- Waterlooplein and Rembrandt House: about 10 minutes on foot
- Rembrandtplein: about 15 minutes on foot
Spring is the best season for Hortus Botanicus. Summer suits long days at Artis and evenings on local terraces, and autumn brings out the colour of the neighbourhood’s street trees. In winter the museums on your doorstep make the location especially practical.
How to get to the hotel
From Amsterdam Centraal Station
Take tram 14 towards Flevopark and get off at Artis/Holocaustmuseum, roughly 11 minutes from Centraal. The hotel is about 200 metres from the stop. You can pay with a contactless bank card; see our OVpay guide. On foot, allow about 25–30 minutes.
From Schiphol Airport
Take a direct train to Amsterdam Centraal, then tram 14 as above. A taxi from Schiphol costs from about €55, according to the hotel. Our Schiphol Airport guide covers trains, tickets and timings.
By car
The hotel has no parking of its own. Guests get a 50% discount at Artis Parking, where the standard rate is €22.50 per 24 hours; ask reception for the booking link. Street parking in the area is paid. If you won’t need the car in the city, a P+R site outside the centre is cheaper, at about €6 per day at weekends and €13 on weekdays.
Services and sustainability
Express check-in and check-out are available, and reception staff can help around the clock. Other services include luggage storage, laundry and dry cleaning, room service, wake-up calls, a ticket service, a grab-and-go counter and a mini market in the lobby. The hotel holds Green Key certification, and rooms are cleaned only on request through the Duve app. This cuts water and chemical use, but you need to ask if you want daily housekeeping.
What guests say
In September 2026 the hotel scored 85/100 from about 2,200 verified reviews on the Leonardo website, and 3.8/5 from about 2,270 reviews on Tripadvisor. The location scores consistently higher than the overall rating. Online rates started from about €140 per night but vary a lot by date.
How we checked: details were verified against the hotel’s official pages, GVB tram timetables and major booking platforms in September 2026. We did not stay at the hotel for this update. Prices, hours and policies can change, so confirm with the hotel before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Lancaster Hotel Amsterdam the same as Leonardo Boutique Hotel The Lancaster?
Yes. Leonardo Hotels acquired the hotel in 2024 as part of the Zien Group, formerly Eden Hotels, and renamed it. The address, Plantage Middenlaan 48, has not changed.
Do all rooms have air conditioning?
The hotel describes itself as air-conditioned, but it names climate control specifically for Superior rooms. If cooling matters for your stay, confirm it for your room type when booking.
Is the hotel good for families?
Yes. It has family rooms and baby cots for €12.50 per night, and Artis Zoo is directly across the street. The person checking in must be at least 18.
Can I drop my bags before check-in?
Yes. The hotel offers luggage storage. Check-in starts at 15:00, and reception is open 24 hours.
