What’s your name and what’s your job at MEININGER?
My name is Jelmer, I am 27 years old and I am the Head Caretaker at MEININGER Amsterdam City West.
What is the question most guests ask you in the hotel?
Can you fix my hairdryer..? Hahaha! But besides that, most of the time people like to know where the good places to eat or drink are.
What is typical about Amsterdam?
Apart from Venice, Amsterdam might be the city that has most intimate relationship with water in the world. One of the most typical images of Amsterdam are the canals and the adjoining characteristic houses. For most people though, all that water generally translates in having to cycle up and down a lot of bridges every day. For me, however, living on the north-side of Amsterdam, it means commuting with a ferry every time I want to head into town. Other than that, Amsterdam is mostly enjoyed from the water by tourists in one of the many canal boats. On the other hand though, whenever there is a big party or national holiday, like the gay pride of kingsday, everyone wants to be on the water to party.
What do you have to experience in Amsterdam?
Ice-skating on the canals! However, that is only possible once every ten years or so. So as a general must-see, I would recommend strolling beside the canals at night when all the lights are on. It’s a beautiful and unique sight!
What’s your insider tip for Amsterdam?
Discover the north of Amsterdam! I’ve seen more than one list naming the area on the top of the most ‘hip’ neighbourhoods in the world. There’s great cuisine and places to drink, like Italian restaurant Il Pecorino (take the ferry to IJplein and follow the river to your right for about 5 minutes). Or discover everything Amsterdams old ship wharf has to offer like the hip and happening Pllek or the more laid back Noorderlicht (take the ferry to NDSM and search for the handwritten signs).
