I bunk with no man ! Actually, nothings arranged beyond what‘s posted above so grab your partner while you can. I’d love to share, Shayna, but I do wonder if you might be more comfortable doing the girlies together thing. I’m easy – but that’s another story altogether.
I can’t give any firm times yet as I haven’t got my ticket yet but early Fri. is what I’m aiming for.
Good to see LC sorting everyones life out.
I’ve booked a hotel, but it’s not on the list. I can cancel and reschedule, but I need to do it soon. I’m taking a real vacation, and will be there from the 13th to the 22nd. Someone should work out what tourist things we are doing, so I dont double up!
I am so excited (and promise to keep the intra-state California rivalry to a minimum!) 
ok…if we’re aiming to arrive at 11ish on the Friday, what sort of times are people’s return flights booked for on the Monday? (to avoid stressing the Coldfire taxi service too much - after all, he isn’t getting any younger! 
)
Would someone purdy please send me the info on the hotel where you are staying?
Thanks! 
I didn’t know we had one. 
As for my return, my flight on Monday leaves at 11:40AM. I was originally going to leave on Tuesday, but my boss wouldn’t let me have any more time off.
I haven’t picked a hotel yet, but it looks like it’s at least narrowed down to the Nicolaas Witsen or the Mercure Hotel, which is near Coldy. Which one have you already booked, Sassy? Perhaps we could throw that one into the pot for consideration, too.
and dont have all the info here. The place I booked is Hotel Nadia - but I just picked it off a list, since I was nervous about finding rooms for my whole stay. I know nothing about it, and I am willing to look into a change.
Woo-hoo! I can’t decide which of these answers I like better
London_Calling, I think I’m still officially competing for couch-space in Coldy’s place, so unless you’ve heard different, I’m sorted for accommodation. As far as arrival time goes, I’ll be leaving Leuven around lunchtime, so I’ll be in Amsterdam sometime around mid-afternoon.
Finally the reason I haven’t been around much is that my employers have barred the SDMB and it’s hard for me to keep up-to-date.
Here is the Hotel Nadia listing. Its location is within the area Coldfire mapped out for us, and the price is good. It looks like a cute little hotel.
Here’s how the 3 we’ve narrowed it down to compare price and amenities-wise:
**Nicolaas Witsen * * ***
Single room: NLG 125, includes breakfast, services and taxes. Private shower / toilet, TV, radio, telephone and safe.
Double room: NLG 175, includes breakfast, services and taxes. Private shower / toilet, TV, radio, telephone and safe.
Pictures of the rooms & facilities can be found here
Located here.
**Hotel Nadia * ***
Single room: NLG 150, includes breakfast, taxes and services. Private shower, toilet, TV and telephone, fridge.
Double room: NLG 225, includes breakfast, taxes and services. Private shower, toilet, TV and telephone, fridge.
Other amenities: Some rooms with full canal view. Some with own balcony and some reserved for non-smokers. On request: Room service, Coffee and Tea facilities, Fax and Email facilities, Hairdryer, Iron, Radio, Safe, Laundry service, Babysitting facilities.
Pictures of the rooms & facilities can be found here
Located here.
**Mercure Hotel * * * ***
Single room: Special March rate (through 3/19) **NLG 200 ** (regularly NLG 425), excluding breakfast (NLG 33.50 per person) and 5% city tax, including services. Maximum 2 persons per room. Rooms have coffee and tea facilities, individual airconditioning, guest safe, trouser press, hairdryer, Robobar and TV with video channel.
Double or twin: NLG 200 (regularly NLG 465), amenities same as above.
(Once you add the tax, room rates are NLG 210 and if you want breakfast - NLG 243.50. Must book online for these rates)
Other amenities: Room service, Fitness room, Bar, Restaurant, Sauna, Solariums and Turkish bath, Squash court.
Pictures of the rooms & facilities can be found here.
Located here (5 minutes from Casa Coldy).
So, any votes? I’m kindof torn. The Nicolaas Witsen is the cheapest, but it seems to have fewer amenities (although they may just not have listed them all on that site). The Mercure comes out cheaper than Hotel Nadia for a double room if you don’t want breakfast every day. But again, it’s hard to compare because it’s like apples and oranges - depends if you want a modern 4-star hotel or a more quaint little hotel in the middle of town. I’m open to any of them.
Shayna, you sure are thorough with your research!
I think I’m putting you in charge of Tram Tickets, Bouncer Flirting, Drinks Ordering, and Bill Splitting as well.
Sassy re:your postcard.
I’d be honoured
This came out wrong. I meant it was good to see LC stepping in and helping. Sorry if it came across as being sarky.
Thx LC keep up the good work.
I’ve booked the flights at last, so I’ll be there at 10.55 on the Friday (BA430) & leave on Monday at 11.50 (BA431).
I still have to book a flight. I’ll do that tomorrow.
It will have to be an afternoon flight…
Can anybody give me an estimate of driving time, Calais-Amsterdam ? I did this trip many years back, but can’t remember how long it took.
PS. Anybody looking for a free ride from London?
I might be interested, depending on when you’re planning on going and coming back. Any ideas?
Matt, Preferably I would like to show my face at work Friday morning. So depending on the time it takes to get there, I would probably leave approx Friday 10am. and come back Sunday some time. I’m off skiing the week before so don’t really what to take the P with too much time off.
What’s up, Saturday night and you’re on the computer? I have an excuse having split with GF today, too late and miserable to arrange anything else.
Ah, I doubt I’ll make it then messiah – I can’t take any time off work. Thanks for the details though.
Sorry to hear about your split – I hope it wasn’t too painful. My excuse for being in is that buying a new stereo today (without insurance cash) has cleaned me out for a while (thanks again burglars).
Man’s gotta have stereo.
Look at the bright side of the split-up, messiah. You don’t wanna be “spoken for” when in Amsterdam.
In all seriousness: sorry to hear that mate.
Last year, I did Calais - Amsterdam in about 3 hours. I wouldn’t advise that sort of speed, though. Normally, it’s 4 hours, maybe 4.5.
Seems a short enough trip, should do it in 2 1/2
Re: split - no big deal really, short relationship, just feel a bit of a shit at the moment.