Go to a hotel with decent ratings on the internet. But every ‘star’ goes with a price raise.
After selecting a hotel, don’t use an internet platform to book a stay. Call them. All hotel staff speaks English. A direct call to the hotel desk will give you -by and large- a better deal.
When in Amsterdam: don’t fall for the ‘stroopwafel tourist trap’.
Just walk into the AH grocery store and get a pack of 10 stroopwafels. Equal quality, 1/5 of the price.