Located in central Amsterdam, the boat hostel Vita Nova is 1 km from Central Station. It is next to the Nemo Scientific Centre, and offers free WiFi in public areas.
The cabins at the Vita Nova boat are simply decorated and have carpeted floors. They all have heating, a hand basin with hot and cold water. The shared bathrooms are equipped with shower. Extra's include bed linen and towels.
Guests can start their day with a typical Dutch breakfast, including a variety of bread, cheese, pastries, and coffee or tea. Also guests can make use of the shared fridge, microwave, plates and cutlery. Across the street, guests have a variety of restaurants, from Italian to Ethiopian.
Guests can enjoy panoramic views of some of Amsterdam’s oldest and newest districts from the boat deck. A bicycle parking and a luggage storage space are also available.
The boat is located at the end of the central canal ring, declared UNESCO World Heritage. The Damrak street and the Red Light District are just a 15-minute walk away.
Score from 2063 reviews
Excellent
7.6/10
Rooms: 24
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Address: Oosterdok / Prins Hendrikkade t/h NEMO, Amsterdam 1011 VX 
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Vita Nova - Photos
What people say
The place of the boat is excellent, the owner was really lovely and helpful. However don't expect luxury - it's a little boat not a 5 star hotel after all. So the single cabin is really tiny, but clean. And though the breakfast was more than adequate for me, the others might not like it. There is no hot dishes, but the selection includes several sorts of cheese, meat and bread, jam, nutella, tomatoes and cucumber, juice, coffee, tea and a couple of more things. In general it is really a good de. all reviews »
This is a good price/quality accommodation. Staff is friendly and will help you with anything you need. This is great if you need to crash somewhere in Amsterdam near central station and downtown!
The rooms are a bit old/basic and come with 1 power outlet. The bed is around 1mtr from the ground which gives plenty of room underneath it. There is free wifi internet (speed is ok) but its only available in the public area.
Warm welcome by staff. Top location within walking distance of Amsterdam
cs and centre of town. Both the cabin as well as shared
showers/toilets were basic but clean. Good night sleep (no
complaints about other guests returning to the boat in the middle of the
night...). Small but nice buffet breakfast. Ok for a "budget"
stay in Amsterdam, specially when you take into account it's a
hostel, not a hotel !!.
Great location for cheap price, just few minutes walk from central station. The room is tiny but it is on a boat so that was something to expect. The shared toilet/shower was not the greatest but I did not mind. Breakfast included a selection of ham, cheese, bread, jams, pancakes, cereals, etc., so it was very filling and nice. Overall great experience and I highly recommend for short-term stays.
Great location and an interesting and character-filled style of accommodation . Excellent breakfast and the while we had to use the wifi in the comon area it is a pleasant place to hang out . The shared bathrooms we found reasonably clean and well maintained.
Lovely place, very near of the city centre with nice woman :)
The view on the boats near Nemo centrum is just incredible... tasty breakfasts, original small apartments... must reccomend for sure, next time in Amsterdam I will come back! :).
Vita Nova is well located, close to museum, close to central station, walking distance to supermarkets, trams etc, The owner is a great host and the included breakfast is great. Overall great value for money and a recommendable place!!!!.
Value of money. I was looking for a place to drop my bones after Amsterdamer experience and i got it. Location is great, just 5-10 minutes walk to red light and central station. Was a little bit later for check out and was treated nice.
Wonderful staff; great location--so close to the center of Amsterdam,
but one feels like one has left the city; good breakfast; beautiful
views of the city, especially from the nearby nemo and library; cool
ocean breeze at night.
What you would expect of a stay on a boat. Very exciting and different. If you look for a presidential suite, sure it is not for you. If you like adventure, perfect location and a homey atmosphere, then, this place is for you!.
The member of staff I met was exellend and most helpful. The location is good but one must rememember this is a boat. Sleeping is what one would expect from a boat. It is very good value for money with very good staff.
Roy at the reception was very friendly and attentive to guests. The breakfast area is very nice and warm and it is cozy to have breakfast by the water. I was also pleasently surprised to have internet on the boat.
The staff was really friendly and helpful. The place is really clean and close to the city center. It's an original accomodation to stay in amsterdam! I would definitely recommend it to friends.
We loved the location - it was really special.
It was a really cool experience to stay on a barge - grate for young travellers or people looking for something a little bit more unique.
Roy was the best hotel staff I have ever encountered. He is friendly, knowledgeable, honorable, attentive to details, and a great host. The location of the boat is great.
The fact that You are sleeping on the boat is fascinating enough.
The best host ever! Very helpful and friendly
Very good breakfast with lots of choice.
Friendly knowledgeable staff - budget accommodation if you are ok in bunks, the boat is a unique must try experience - make your own mind up!!.
Breakfast was great. A warm and friendly atmsophere at a reasonable price. Will be staying again as it was located so close to everything.
Everything is fine, nice personel, nice meals and good location as well.
Was also surprised about cleanliness on the boat.
The staff were fabulous, did everything they could to ensure we made the most of out holiday. The location is unbeatable.
The couple running it were so helpful, breakfast all good, shower hot, room clean warm and bijoux. Im going back asap.
Good location, very short walk to the Central Station. Nice breakfast, shower water was hot, staff sell beer/wine.
Helpful pleasant staff good breakfast and fantastic location. It is the best value accommodation we could find.
The staff is super amazing and the hospitality is awesome. The view outside the boat is simply dazzling.
Location and stuff are execellent. Just few steps from the city center, center Nemo and Marine museum.
Excellent location, good breakfast, friendly staff.
Absolute good value for money for backpackers!.
Downtown area, wonderful view from the top deck. Tasty breakfasts and a charming owner.
Very clean place, very good breakfast, very nice staff! Definitely worth it's money!.
The lady running the boat was really friendly and the atmosphere generally relaxed.
The owner of the premises was really helpful and made me feel
right at home.
Location and value for money.
We were lucky to have a shower in our room :).
The breakfast
The staff
Hanging out in the restaurant
The music.
you can't expect more if you decided to stay on a boat.
Excellent location, good breakfast included in price.
Very good location, friendly owner.
good location and value for money.
Novelty of staying on a boatel.
Staff was extremely helpful.
Comfy
Near the city centre.
Break fast is very good!!.
Proximity to city.
Everything!.
Excitnig experience. I enjoyed it a lot Although the room is too small,
your patience will be rewarded by great Dutch breakfast - fantastic
cheeses!) location was also nice and the price is reasonable. The woman
who run the boat was frindly and helpful.
- Location
- Living in a boat house is a good experience and it won't cause any dizziness!
- Breakfast is good
Overall it's a great experience and worth the price.
just like being on a cross channel ferry but without leaving port. Beds are bunks, heating works well, wifi works well. No TV, but who needs TV.
The Boat is really close to the central town ! The breakfast included is. Avery good idea and it's really good breakfast !.
The host is very friendly,helpful and informative a very nice guy indeed! Two thumbs up for him!.
Owner friendly and helpful. Nothing fancy but an interesting place to spend one night.
The staff was very friendly and informative, the location is also very convenient.
Im a tall guy and have stayed in a 1pers cabin. The bed was a little too small in length (i guess 1.80m). The 1pers cabins are really small; between the sliding door opening and your bed you will have around 1m2 to stand.
Dont forget to bring earplugs. Event though its 'quiet time' after 23:00 you will still be woken up by other guests getting in/out of their room (the sliding doors can be loud).
There was nothing there that I did not like.
As is natural for a boat, space both in the cabin and the bathroom is limited. Best to be travelling with relatively small luggage.
Maybe the smaller rooms, shared bathrooms... but for that price is totally the best..! :) :).
Not really, if you understand this is a boat so rooms are quite small, there is shared bathroom, with this in mind, you have a great time, if you expect something different, then maybe not.
Very basic facilities. Better to grab your own shower stuff, because there was no even a soap and a towel.
Small rooms and tiny showers.
The size of the room and the bathroom, but what can be expected on a houseboat?.
Very little space in the rooms and you can hear neighbors.. But if you are very tired and/or drunk or high it doesn't really bother much :-).
whilst the room was nice and warm from the radiator, during the night the bulkhead was cold and kept waking me up when i touched it, other wise it was fine.
Stairs and beds are challenging if you have mobility issues. Other than that a great place to stay.
hmm...nothing.
go there.
The cabins truly were tiny eve before we put our two bicycles in it!.
Having to leave.
The bed was a little high for me. Getting in and out was a little awkward. The bed was comfortable though and I slept very well.
Bunk accommodation is basic and slightly noisy when guests arrive late on Saturday night.
The rooms are a bit small.
This place is for the person who travel alone and for who comfort is not a prime requirement.
In winter it is too cold to take a shower.
Low water pressure in the shower in our room.
Breakfast variety not suitable for longer stays.
The shower
Too few bathrooms.
Nothing in particular.
be careful if you are very sensitive to the smell of motor oil.
Maybe vending machine somewhere close. The restaurant was shut and we had to wait till breakfast reopened to get a bottle of water.
A bit noisy in the morning (other people).
Bathroom and shower needs serious updates.
Nothing.
Very small room:).
It's a good experience to stay here, but if you want to relax, then
I don't recomend to come here. There's a lot of small
inconveniences - noise, shower, toilet etc. But anyway it's the cost
you have to pay to enjoy houseboat!.
- Everything is very small...room, bed and shower room...even for me, a tiny Asian girl
- Cant take shower after 11pm.
The room was not very clean !.
No wifi coverage in the room. At least a running coffee or coffee making facilities in the restaurant after breakfast until night for the guest since shops are to far and weather is cool.
No private bathroom but was expected. OK for Single traveller only spending one night.
The room is too small and old. Toilet too old and gets dirty. Plus noise.
