Marathon climbing

This is the weekend of the Amsterdam-Marathon. There are hardly any rooms available in town and the atmosphere is nice and sporty, with all those thousands of contestants having their early morning work-out in the various parks, to gear up for the event.



And most of them likely had an unexpected work-out this morning allready.
Climbing 'dangerously' steep stairs!



25% Of all hotelrooms in Amsterdam are in 1, 2 or 3 star hotels and these are almost all located in those typical converted Amsterdam-style (ware)houses, usually 3 or 4 stories high.
In the old days ,when these buildings were build, one was not rich, and each floor housed an entire family with more then the nowadays average 2.3 kids, and often even the grandparents.
In those days, city taxes were determined by the width of the house and the number of windows. So in order to save on those taxes, one built the houses small and high, leaving only room for steep and narrow stairs.



Nowadays ,it is still hardly possible to make alterations for more comfort, or build in elevators.
On one side there simply isn't any space to do so. On the other side there is the goverment refusing all neccesary permits, since these kind off buildings are protected heritage.



So one might end up being asigned to a room on the topfloor, having to drag all the lugage upstairs, having to go up and down carefully the entire stay.
Luckily most hotels mention on their website if an elevator is available or not, and mostly there is a willing hotel employee to help you get upstairs with the lugage.



For eldery people or people having trouble walking, it is highly advisable to ask in advance, when reserving, for a room on the lowest floor possible. That can save a lot of trouble and disapointment for all parties involved.



This also explains those hauling-hooks on top of every building in Amsterdam.
You think it is difficult to get your lugage up those steep, narrow stairs...
did you ever try a piano or a kingsize bed??
Harry.