Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside is a large IHG hotel of 438 rooms in a 45-metre tower on the north bank of the IJ. When it opened in July 2020 it was the largest Holiday Inn Express in Europe. It suits families, groups and drivers who want a standard room with breakfast and are happy to take the ferry or metro into the centre.
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside at a glance
| Address | Motorkade 1, 1021 JR Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Category | No official star rating; Holiday Inn Express (IHG) |
| Rooms | 438 rooms over 14 floors, about 23 m² |
| Neighbourhood | Amsterdam-Noord, on the north bank of the IJ |
| Ferry | IJplein, 15 min walk: free ferry F2 to Centraal, about 06:30 to midnight · Zamenhofstraat, 13 min walk: ferry F1, which goes to Azartplein in the Eastern Docklands, not to Centraal |
| Nearest tram | None in Noord; Centraal Station, trams 2, 4, 14, 17 and 24: 26 min including the F2 ferry |
| Nearest metro | Noorderpark, metro 52: 11 min walk |
| Nearest train station | Amsterdam Centraal: 26 min including the F2 ferry, or metro 52 from Noorderpark |
| Schiphol Airport | Train to Amsterdam Centraal (under 20 minutes), then metro 52 one stop to Noorderpark; no shuttle |
| Food and drink | Buffet breakfast 06:30–10:00; Express Café and Bar Noord for lunch and dinner; 24/7 shop |
| Gym and pool | Neither |
| Accessibility | Step-free entrance, lifts and an accessible single room |
| Check-in / check-out | From 15:00 / until 12:00 |
| Pets | Dogs only, one per room; a nightly fee applies |
| Parking | Underground garage, 33 spaces, guests only, subject to availability; a daily fee applies |
Checked in November 2026 against the hotel’s own website and booking sites. Walking times from OpenStreetMap routing.
Why stay at the Holiday Inn Express North Riverside
This is a big, practical chain hotel, and it does not pretend to be anything else. Its 45-metre tower stands on the north shore of the IJ, about a minute’s walk from the Kromhouthal.
What you get is a standard, modern room of about 23 m², blackout curtains, a power shower, free Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast that is included in most rates. IHG says children eat breakfast free, which helps if you travel as a family.
The large lobby has communal work tables with sockets and wireless charging, and there is a sunny terrace, two meeting rooms, a 24/7 shop and rental bikes, which you reserve by email. Noorderpark metro is 11 minutes on foot, and metro 52 is one stop from Centraal.
The rooms: what you should know before booking
Read the room description carefully before you book; these are the points that matter most here.
- Room types. Queen rooms, twin rooms with two single beds, and queen rooms with a sofa bed that sleep three. All are about 23 m² and much alike.
- Views. Book a city-view or top-floor city-view room if you want the skyline across the IJ.
- Breakfast. IHG says breakfast is included with your stay; booking sites say it is included in many rates for up to two adults per room, with a fee for extra guests. Reviewers like the choice, but the breakfast room gets busy.
- Accessibility. The entrance is wheelchair accessible, with lifts, wide corridors, ramp access to the restaurant and bar, and an accessible single room.
Restaurants, bars and facilities
Express Café and Bar Noord
The hotel’s café-bar for lunch and dinner.
Breakfast
A buffet from 06:30 to 10:00, included with most rates.
Lobby, terrace and shop
Work tables with power and wireless charging, a terrace, two meeting rooms and a 24/7 self-service shop. There is no gym and no pool.
Bikes and parking
Rental bikes, to reserve by email. The underground garage has 33 spaces for registered guests, subject to availability, with a disabled space and a drop-off point by the entrance.
Getting there and getting around
From Schiphol Airport
Take the train to Amsterdam Centraal (under 20 minutes), then metro 52 one stop to Noorderpark and walk about 11 minutes. There is no airport shuttle.
From Amsterdam Centraal
Metro 52 to Noorderpark is the simplest route, followed by an 11-minute walk. You can also take the free F2 ferry from behind the station to IJplein, which runs from about 06:30 to midnight, and walk about 15 minutes. Door to door that is about 26 minutes, plus the wait for the ferry.
Getting around
There are no trams in Amsterdam-Noord, so metro 52 and the ferries are the practical way into town. Metro 52 runs from Noorderpark through Centraal to Rokin and De Pijp; see our guide to metro line 52. The nearest landing, Zamenhofstraat, has only ferry F1 to the Eastern Docklands. The Noorderpark is ten minutes on foot.
Nearest stops
| Stop | Walk to the hotel · lines |
|---|---|
| Centraal Station (IJ side, tram 26), via ferry F2 (IJplein-Centraal) | 22 min (1.7 km) · tram 26 |
| Centraal Station, via ferry F2 (IJplein-Centraal) | 26 min (2 km) · trams 2, 4, 14, 17 and 24 |
| Noorderpark (metro) | 11 min (800 m) · metro 52 |
| Centraal Station (metro), via ferry F2 (IJplein-Centraal) | 27 min (2 km) · metros 51, 52, 53 and 54 |
| Zamenhofstraat (ferry) | 13 min (1 km) · ferry F1 to Azartplein |
| IJplein (ferry) | 15 min (1.1 km) · ferry F2 to Centraal Station |
| Amsterdam Centraal (train), via ferry F2 (IJplein-Centraal) | 26 min (1.9 km) · trains to Schiphol and the rest of the Netherlands |
Walking times measured with OpenStreetMap routing, November 2026. Lines as in the GVB timetable.
What is around the Holiday Inn Express North Riverside
| Place | Walk from the hotel · why go |
|---|---|
| Noorderpark | 10 min (760 m) · Park in Amsterdam-Noord with a swimming pool |
| Tolhuistuin | 20 min (1.5 km) · Garden, restaurant and stage by the ferry |
| A’DAM Lookout | 23 min (1.8 km) · Viewing deck at the top of the A’DAM Toren, the former Shell tower |
| EYE Filmmuseum | 24 min (1.8 km) · Film museum and cinema on the IJ |
Staying here in winter
The Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, and many festival cruises leave from the piers around Centraal Station, one metro stop or a ferry ride from the hotel. The F2 ferry stops at about midnight, so check how you will get back after a late evening.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest metro to Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside?
Noorderpark, on metro 52, is about 11 minutes on foot from Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside. It is one stop from Centraal. There are no trams in Noord; the nearest are at Centraal Station.
Which ferry goes from Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside to Centraal?
The free F2 ferry from IJplein, about 15 minutes on foot from Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside, runs to Centraal from about 06:30 to midnight. The closer landing, Zamenhofstraat, has ferry F1, which goes to Azartplein in the Eastern Docklands, not to Centraal.
How do I get back to Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside late at night?
The F2 ferry to IJplein stops at about midnight. After that, take metro 52 to Noorderpark, 11 minutes from Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside, as long as it is still running, or the F3 ferry to Buiksloterweg, which runs day and night but leaves you with a longer walk.
Is breakfast included at Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside?
In most rates, yes. Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside serves a buffet from 06:30 to 10:00; booking sites say it is included for up to two adults per room, with a fee for extra guests.
Is there parking at Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside?
Yes, but it is limited. Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside has an underground garage with 33 spaces for registered guests, subject to availability, and a daily fee applies.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside?
Check-in at Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside is from 15:00 and check-out is until 12:00. The minimum check-in age is 18.
Are pets allowed at Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside?
Dogs only. Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside accepts one dog per room for a nightly fee, with no weight limit; service animals are welcome.
Other hotels nearby
Compare the whole area on our amsterdam-noord hotels page, or start with where to stay in Amsterdam.
