It’s that time of the year again when people are making travel plans for the summer. Here are my personal favorites, many of which I have visited. There are more on Weekendhotel.nl, a website that selects the best B&Bs and small hotels in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The last five years have seen an explosion in the number of high-quality, stylish small hotels and B&Bs in Amsterdam that do not charge over-the-top prices. Their attention to detail, personal service, and beautiful modern rooms are putting pressure on the chain hotels — why go to a chain hotel with bland interiors when, for the same price, you can stay in one of the places listed below.

(1) Top favorite: En Suite

If you have always wanted to stay in a chic canal apartment in the center of Amsterdam right on the Keizersgracht, ten minutes away from the Anne Frank House, this is the place. It is really gorgeous, filled with light and all the luxuries that seasoned travelers appreciate. I know the owners personally and they are really lovely people. You will get personal attention and if the weather is good, ask them if they’re taking guests out on their boat.

Check out the En Suite page on Weekendhotel, which has an online calendar to help you find which dates they still have availability (click on the kamers vrij kalender).

En Suite
Keizersgracht 320
1016 EZ Amsterdam
+31 20 421 1887

(2) Latest hip paradise: Hotel V

If you are wondering why all those travel guides have not listed this boutique hotel yet, it’s because they just opened and we’re one of the first ones to talk to the owner before the launch.

Hotel V is in four 18th century buildings on the Frederiksplein, within walking distance from the Rijksmuseum and from the cool restaurants and bars of de Pijp, Amsterdam’s young, trendy neighborhood. If you need to go online, there’s free Wi-Fi and Apple computers in the lobby. Check them out on Weekendhotel (online calendar included).

Hotel V
Weteringschans
1017 XV Amsterdam
+31 20 676 6398

(3) Stylish pad in the heart of the city: Miauw Suites

Miauw is located in two 17th century buildings on the Keizersgracht, one of the stately canals of Amsterdam. In fact, it’s only a block away from En Suite and about five minutes from the Anne Frank House. It also happens to be on the most fashionable street in the city center, the Hartenstraat, to which I am favorably biased because I live there! The Hartenstraat is one of the streets in the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) neighborhood which is filled with funky boutiques, restaurants and cafes.

Miauw Suites is owned and run by Analik, a Dutch fashion designer who has several apartments in Antwerp as well. If you are thinking of visiting Antwerp, which I recommend, ask Analik about her B&B. Miauw is a favorite among the fashion and media crowd. Because the rooms are on the corner of the canal and the Hartenstraat, you get excellent views and lots of light. As with the other two places listed above, it is very high tech: Wi-Fi plus the latest Apple Macs on which you can watch TV (or surf the Internet). Miauw has 2 luxurious suites and 2 apartments.

Miauw Suites
Hartenstraat 34-36
1016 CC Amsterdam
+31 20 717 3429

(4) Luxurious guesthouse on a canal: Breaks & Butlers

Traditional canal house meets modern luxury at Breaks & Butlers, located in one of the oldest parts of the city, not far from the Red Light district and Chinatown. This has to be the most exquisite place to day in that part of town, which to this day, lags behind the Nine Streets area and Amsterdam south in terms of modern chic accommodations. Like the others listed here, Breaks & Butlers scores very high on personal service and tech amenities, not to mention a full kitchen. Check them out on Weekendhotel (includes online calendar).

Breaks & Butlers
Groenburgwal 1
1011 HR Amsterdam
+31 20 638 9944

(5) College Hotel

The College Hotel was set up as a training site for hotel and restaurant school students, but it has morphed into one of the most atmospheric boutique hotels in the city. Not only that, it houses one of the best restaurants in town. Located in Amsterdam South, considered to be the toniest neighborhood in the city, you can walk to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, to the Concertgebouw and to Vondelpark. Interiors: chic, modern, eclectic but still warm and inviting. Click here to see more and access their online calendar.

College Hotel
Roelof Hartstraat 1
1071 VE Amsterdam
+31 20 571 1511

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If you are on a strict budget but still want a place that does not compromise on style and service, check out the next five.

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(6) Houseboat living: Bed & Breakfast on Board

Ever wondered what it’s like to stay on a houseboat? Well, Bed & Breakfast on Board is a delightful place close to the Rembrandtplein (with its lively night life and cafes). It is docked on the Prinsengracht and has a terrace that you can use when the weather is good. All modern amenities are included so you don’t feel as if you’re camping. They require a minimum 2-night stay.

Bed & Breakfast on Board
Prinsengracht 1027
1017 KP Amsterdam
+31 62 740 8188

(7) Asian inspired B&B by Dam Square: Palace B&B

If you want to be right in the city center, Palace B&B is only a minute’s walk from Dam Square. Asian touches, high ceilings and large windows make this a rare find in the area around Dam Square which is better known for cheap, flea bag accommodations.

Palace B&B
Spuistraat 224
1012 VT Amsterdam
+31 64 26 08847

(8) Small on price, big on design: NL Hotel

Aren’t you tired of paying through the nose for boutique hotels “done” by famous designers? NL Hotel isn’t one of those even though it is designed by a well-known Dutch designer (Edward van Vliet). It’s chic yet cozy. The local Amsterdam paper, Het Parool, awarded it best hotel in Amsterdam in 2007.

NL Hotel
Nassaukade 368
1054 AB Amsterdam
+31 20 689 0030

(9) Classic 19th century guest room: De Kamer van Kaatje

If your tastes run a bit more to the classic, De Kamer van Kaatje, a lovely guest room in a stately 19th century house will appeal to you because it also happens to be in the trendy district call De Pijp which is where a lot of new restaurants and bars are popping up.

De Kamer van Kaatje
Govert Flinckstraat 297huis
1074 CA Amsterdam
+31 20 670 7776

(10) Apartment in De Pijp: City Apartment

If you prefer to have an apartment (no pesky hotel cleaning ladies trying to get you out of bed at 9:00 in the morning), then consider City Apartment in De Pijp, a trendy and lively district of Amsterdam filled with new restaurants and cafes. It’s reasonably priced, modern and convenient.

City Apartment
De Pijp
+31 628 425 860

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Here’s a Google map of Mapplr’s favorite hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and cafes in Amsterdam.

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Few restaurants are reliable enough that you can say you’d eat there for brunch, lunch and dinner. Absinthe is one of those few. What do I love about the place? The interior: French brasserie, warm, stylish, cozy and best of all, the tables are not so packed together that you can hear your neighbors whispering dirty secrets. The sound level is low enough that you can actually carry on a conversation without screaming.

But it’s the food that really shines. Here are my favorites:

- brunch: ricotta stuffed French toast or the banana-blueberry souffle pancakes

- lunch: grilled marinated vegetables with goat cheese

- 5pm drinks: the cheese plate is divine and they have an excellent wine list

I have been eating at Absinthe for several years now and it’s still one of my favorites. And because it’s a favorite of so many others, try to reserve a table in advance.

• Vibe: one of the few places in SF that truly feels like a French brasserie; stylish and modern, yet still cozy; civilized; the crowd is a mix of theater goers (if you show up before 8pm) and Hayes Valley trendy types

• Pros: very good food, reliable; excellent cheeses; my favorite place for brunch in SF.

• Cons: street parking is a challenge but there are a number of parking lots nearby.

The San Francisco Chronicle recently reviewed it for its drinks and bar food menu.

Absinthe
398 Hayes Street (at Gough)
San Francisco, CA 94102
+1 415 551 1590
www.absinthe.com

If you find yourself shopping along the Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona as the lunch hour approaches, you might want to try a brasserie called Tenorio which serves tapas and delicious salads. It’s a large place so not too difficult getting a table when every other restaurant is packed.

• Vibe: trendy modern chic decor, open kitchen, mix of business people and ladies who lunch.

• Pros: excellent salads and tapas, good wine list; desserts are very good, if you still have space for them.

• Cons: if you are looking for a traditional Catalan place, this isn’t for you.

Tenorio
Passeig de Gracia 37
08007 Barcelona
Spain
+34 932 720 592
www.restaurantetenorio.com

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See Mapplr’s favorites in Barcelona on this Google map.

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If you are looking for a quirky gallery-Internet cafe in Barcelona with lots of atmosphere and art, go to Bornet in the El Born district (center of Barcelona). Located very close to the Picasso Museum, it’s difficult to find because it is in one of those tiny alleyways where you find yourself perpetually lost. It doubles as an art gallery. And the coffee is excellent. You can use one of their terminals or bring your own laptop.

• Vibe: quirky art gallery that doubles as an Internet cafe, located in the heart of Barcelona close to the Picasso Museum.
• Pros: they have terminals so you don’t need to bring your laptop to check your email; Wi-Fi available; excellent coffee; very quiet.
• Cons: difficult to find unless you orient yourself around the Picasso Museum, which is around the corner.

Bornet Internet gallery cafe
Barra de ferro, 3
08003 Barcelona
Spain
www.bornet-bcn.com

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See Mapplr’s favorites in Barcelona on this Google map.

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I love San Francisco’s small plates (tapas) restaurants because you get to try so many different dishes with your dining companies. One of my recent favorites is SPQR, Roman-style osteria in Pacific Heights (see SF Chronicle review). SPQR is located on Fillmore Street where Chez Nous used to be. I loved Chez Nous and used to eat there frequently, so when I walked by one day last year to find out that they were closing, I was filled with dread: who would take its place? I’m glad to see that Chez Nous has a worthy replacement.

SPQR stands for Senatus Populusque Romanus (the Senate and the Roman People), an inscription you find on many edifices and monuments built by the Romans. The menu consists of small plates to be shared between friends. You will find Roman favorites such as pasta with amatriciana or carbonara sauce but also salads such as chicory with anchovies and lemon.

• Vibe: located on one of San Francisco’s shopping streets, SPQR is lively, modern and chic with warm interiors (wooden floors).

• Pros: very delicious small plates or tapas; good wine list; good service; excellent place for dinner with a close friend or a date.

• Cons: the tables are a bit too close to one another (like the old Chez Nous) and when the place is packed it can be quite loud; they do NOT take reservations so it is best to go early (6pm or late 9pm).

SPQR
1911 Fillmore St.
San Francisco
+1 415 771 7779
www.spqrsf.com