The Blue Sheep

Dutch service can be a bit gruff, but Novella and Jan, the proprietors of the lovely Blue Sheep B&B are anything but. And their splurge-worthy establishment has a friendly, Italian vibe—in the heart of Amsterdam (just minutes from the train station and Dam Square).

The three guest rooms at the Blue Sheep are uniquely decorated. Jan is a photographer by trade, and the couple clearly has an eye for design. From plush chairs and couches bursting with color to the occasional religious icon, rustic charm pervades here.

The “Orange Room” has a private bathroom while the “Blue” and “Green” rooms share facilities (note that the Green Room is upstairs from the bathroom). The private bathroom we saw had a (backlit!) bathtub sitting against an exposed-brick wall.

The Blue Sheep also offers three suites, which sleep three to four people each and are equipped with private bathrooms. And in addition to a coffee maker and satellite TV, all six rooms have a DVD player and a selection of films for the whole family. A few suites have fully-stocked kitchens.

Overall, The Blue Sheep reminded us of why family-run places, when done right, can make for the coziest hotel experiences. Breakfast is available for an additional charge.