Description: This funky joint isn’t nearly as sleazy as its name might suggest. The Get Lucky Guesthouse, a slightly crooked
grachtenpand located on beautiful Keizergracht at the corner of Utretchtstrasse, is anything but a haven for one-night stands. This six-story guesthouse has a distinct family feel to it, from the small pots of flowers near the entrance to the main caretaker, Agnes, who lives in the building with her little children, a few cats, and a dog.
Upon checking in, Agnes guided me up a few narrow, winding staircases to reach my single room on the top floor. Most of the rooms have views of the canal, but my windows opened up to the back, which was fine. All rooms at the Get Lucky have a computer and Internet access, though my room was being worked on and didn’t have any service during my stay. No problem—Agnes graciously offered use of the computer on the main floor if I needed it.
The lime-green walls in my tiny abode meshed well with the overall panache of the guesthouse, and a few books and trinkets were arranged on shelves above the bed... but I barely noticed them. That’s because hanging on the wall, directly next to the bed, is a huge—and I mean huge—digital photo of the owner’s son. Now, the kid is very cute... but falling asleep every night with him smiling down at me was a little creepy. Of course, maybe the owners knew it was a bit unsettling, and thought the water bong left on the computer desk might help bring on the Sandman. In fact, I’m fairly certain that there’s a smoking apparatus in every room.
The Get Lucky’s location can’t be beat. Besides being just a few stops on the tram from Centraal Station, you’ll also find a small market directly next door, a tantalizing bakery across the street, a low-key bar on the corner, and restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping all within a few blocks.
When that sad day came for me to check out, I returned my keys to Allan, who was holding a spirited conversation with a friend over hits from a marijuana vaporizer he had conveniently built into the front desk. Before I could leave, he explained why he never smoked marijuana and only inhaled its vapors, and being the gentleman that he is, offered me a try. The next thing I knew I was at the airport, waiting for my plane to depart.
Check the Get Lucky’s website for their current rates and booking information. If you don’t mind sharing a bathroom and are looking for safe, affordable, family-run accommodations with a friendly staff, this is the place to be. If you’re coming to Amsterdam just to get lucky, however, you might want to head for the Red Light District.
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