THE NETHERLANDS - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1348

Hostels
Amsterdam has a world of good, cheap hostels located throughout the city. Most are de-
signed for the party crowd, but here are a few quieter options. They all offer dorm beds;
Stayokay Vondelpark also has some basic doubles.
In the Jordaan: $The Shelter Jordan is a scruffy,friendly,Christian-run, 90-bed place
inagreat neighborhood.AlthoughmostofAmsterdam'shostels arepretty wild,thisplace is
drug- and alcohol-free, with boys on one floor and girls on another. These are Amsterdam's
bestbudgetbeds(bunksdorms-€26-31;higherpricesfor4-5-bedrooms;includessheetsand
breakfast, Internet access in lobby, free Wi-Fi, near Anne Frank House at Bloemstraat 179,
tel. [phone], www.shelter.nl , [e-mail] ). The Shelter serves hot meals; runs a
snack bar in its big, relaxing lounge; offers lockers; and leads nightly Bible studies.
In the Red Light District: $ The Shelter City is Shelter Jordan's sister—similar, but
definitely not preaching to the local choir. And though its 180 beds are buried in the heart of
the red lights, it feels very well-run and perfectly safe (same prices as Shelter Jordan, bunks
in Qb-€6 extra, D-€49 for spouses or single-sex; same amenities, rules, and Bible study;
Barndesteeg 21, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.shelter.nl , [e-mail] ) .
In Vondelpark: $ Stayokay Vondelpark (IYHF), with 536 beds in 130 rooms, is one
of Amsterdam's top hostels for the under-25 set—but over-25s will feel comfortable here
too (€21-42/bed in 4- to 20-bed dorms, D-€60-105—most with bunk beds, higher prices
are for March-Oct, members save €2.50, price depends on demand—cheapest when booked
in advance, family rooms, lots of school groups, lockers, laundry, pay Internet access, free
Wi-Fi, bike rental, right on Vondelpark at Zandpad 5, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.stayokay.com , [e-mail] ) . Though Stayokay Vondelpark and Stay-
okayStadsdoelen(listednext)aregenerallybookedlonginadvance,occasionallyafewbeds
open up each day at 11:00.
Near Waterlooplein: $ Stayokay Stadsdoelen (IYHF), smaller and simpler than its
Vondelpark sister (listed above), has only large dorms and no private bathrooms, but is free
of large school groups. Because of the lower prices, this one caters mostly to twentyso-
methings(€18-35/bedwithsheetsandbreakfastin10-beddorms,memberssave€2.50,price
depends on demand—cheapest when booked in advance, lockers, pay Internet access, free
Wi-Fi, bike rental, Kloveniersburgwal 97, see map on here , tel. [phone], fax 020/
639-1035, www.stayokay.com , [e-mail] ) .
Farthest East: $ Stayokay Zeeburg (IYHF) is a 500-bed hostel with all the modern
services. While it's pretty far from the center, by tram or bike you're just 15 minutes from
Damrak street. Oldsters fit in here with the youngsters (€24-42/bed in 4- to 9-bed dorms,
price depends on demand—cheapest when booked in advance, pay Internet access, free Wi-