Shoestring Travel

Just pulled up a map of downtown to search for the intersection my budget and convenient lodging for a week in Amsterdam. The wife is a huge history nut and I mostly like looking at the architecture. No clubbing, nothing stronger than beer, no threesomes. Roughing it, when we're on vacay as a couple, is defined as a "major flag hotel that doesn't have 24 hour room service." We'd like to explore as much as possible on foot (/public transportation). We're totally down for a boutique apartment, though, if one comes up.

Anyone have a favorite semi-posh location that can be had for <$200 night in the shoulder season (October-ish).