Amsterdam to Paris via Belgium/Germany advice

[Pommygranite]

Early 2010 going to Amsterdam for a couple of days, then picking up a car and driving down to Paris.

Looking at going via Brussels and maybe even Germany, but just wondering about a few things:

1. Whats the cheapest and easiest way to rent a car in Amsterdam and drop off in Paris (Hertz want 370gbp and should add definitely want to drive not train or fly)

2. Can anyone recommend some nice hotels in either city.

3. Can anyone recommend some nice hotels in any destinations in between.

4. Any suggestions about where to go (i.e dam - brussels - lille - paris?) and things to see.

5. Anything else worth knowing?!