We stayed here in February '03. The staff was helpful, efficient to the point of being unseen unless you needed them. The rooms were pretty nice, though quite warm usually. If you have a mix of guys and girls you'll have to haggle over how many windows to open. Plumbing was an issue, with different showers out of order at any one time, but there were always plenty of others working. The restaurant downstairs is not bad, but why bother with it if you have any energy to wander very short distances to truly superb restaurants and bier cafes. The location is great, close to everything, with lots of great little takeout bakeries/eateries nearby. I read a previous reviewer's concerns about security, and admit that would be a concern to someone who carries valuable objects around with them-but hey, you're hostelling! Wise up! I found it quiet and relaxing, a very nice stay.
9 of
10 people found this review helpful
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malo@earthling.net
Austin, TX, USA
...but it has charm! 1 March 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
malo@earthling.net
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 1541)
OK, it's old and creaky, and loud at night, and the showers are bizarre and not-too-clean. But the staff is so nice, the location is great, and I found the place to have a strange charm. I'd stay there again.But I do wish they'd invest in a second toaster. It would make breakfast go so much smoother.
0 of
8 people found this review helpful
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Jesse B
Chilliwack, Canada
Great Hostel in a Great Town 22 December 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Jesse B
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 1542)
The Passage was probably the nicest sleep I had on my 3 month tour. I actually went all the way back here while waiting for my plane from Amsterdam! Great people, great restaurant, good showers are on the third floor. Go to the bar that has 300 beers. Its called 'T Bruges Beertje i think.
2 of
8 people found this review helpful
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Peter S
Vermont, USA
Unacceptably insecure 22 December 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Peter S
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 1543)
This hostel is located in an extemely convenient location. It is reasonably priced and is located above a decent restaurant. However, I found the security, or lack there of to be completely unacceptable for my standards. The bedrooms have no locks and there are no lockers to put your stuff in. Also, the left luggage is a shelf in the rear lobby restaurant entrance. This area is unsupervised and it would be extremely easy for someone to walk in and take your belongings. Bathrooms were dirty and shower looked so bad I decided I'd be better off skipping it.Bunk beds were comfortable but had no reading lights. Noise from restaurant/bar downstairs was also an issue.Brugge is a an excellent place to visit, but I found the Europa Hostel to be FAR superior to this one.
8 of
13 people found this review helpful
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Joe
(joeblowchunk@yahoo.com)
from San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
"small is beautiful" - Schumacher 24 November 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Joe
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 1544)
A note: Brugge is one of my most favourite towns, so I'll be a bit biased.Was there in Spring 2002, and love the place! Love the staff and love the food at the restaurant downstair (the fact that it's always packed w/ local people every night is a hint). Walking distance from... everywhere (after all, Brugge is a wee small town).Now the downside: the dorm is not soundproof, so you'll feel (not just hear) the bass beating from the restaurant downstair. Didn't bother me going to sleep, but might to you.
3 of
9 people found this review helpful
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Steve
Austin, TX
Not that bad 19 July 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Steve
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 1545)
You really can't beat the location of this place. No more than a five minute walk from everything you would want to see in Brugge. The rooms are nice and have their own sink and mirror. The restrooms, however, are a little dirty, and the showers aren't the best I've seen in Europe. The staff is nice and accomadating, and there's no curfew, which is always a big plus.
9 of
9 people found this review helpful
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Mark
(westmeadboy@yahoo.co.uk)
from London, England
London, England
Like a hotel but not really set up for backpackers 11 August 2001
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Mark
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 1546)
Yep, this place is like a hotel which happens to have a few dorm rooms thrown in. Its got a really nice proper restaurant (open to the public) as part of it and you get a free small beer if you have your evening meal there and you're staying at the hostel (geee, thanks...). Great food though. Breakfast, on the other hand, is the usual Belgian-minimalist thing - a few slices of bread saved by a superb cup of top-notch coffee.Location is great. 15-20mins walk from the train station and then you're right in the middle of the action (5 mins from the main square). The showers are shite and dirty and like someone has just stuck a tap high up on the wall.Oh, and when you check in, be warned that the woman at reception will repeat every piece of info (and every question) at least three times. Make sure you take the piss as it would be rude not to o)
