BUG review
One of the less expensive hostels in Amsterdam, this may not be the cleanest place, but it is teeming with activity, especially in the social area which is always packed with a crowd of international stoners. Bob’s is one of Amsterdam’s original hostels. It has been running for over 30 years and was the city’s first proper independent backpackers’ hostel. Common areas include a bar in the common area with internet access (€2 per hour including Wi-Fi) that is open till 3am (if you are a musician, you can play in the bar in exchange for free accommodation). There are two buildings, and in the annex there is nothing but rooms with no common area, and you may feel isolated from the hive of activity in the main building. Many of the rooms are spartan and annoyingly bright, with moderately clean en suite bathrooms; although some have been freshly painted with surprisingly good murals. The location is great, but security doesn’t quite measure up to the other hostels in town. Although this hostel now accepts online bookings, it does also keep a lot of rooms available for walk-in guests. This is great news for travellers who want to be spontaneous and travel at the last minute, as there is a good chance that they will get a bed here even if the rest of the city is booked up (you can increase your chances for a bed if you show up in the morning).
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This hostel was visited by one of BUG's team of hostel inspectors who write independent reviews and assess a star rating based on an objective assessment criteria.
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Price Dorm bed €16-23 Prices are in euro and are inclusive of all taxes.
Review from a HostelBookers customer 31 January 2010
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Mariana Souza
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 13205)
Basic and nice place to stay!
9 of
19 people found this review helpful
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Nicola
Bologna, Italy
maybe not the best, but 20 December 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Nicola
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 4469)
Bob's youth is, for what I understtod, the cheapest hostel in Amsterdam. Is well located, very close to the station, within the red light district (apart for this, is very close to the charming channels, something like Svingel). Actually my bad was in a 14 beds room in another building (crowded, but I've never seen all the guests in that room in the same moment. The only bathroom for the room was clean, but took quite long time to refill the water after each usage. Very bad thing...in 5 nights (I used Amsterdam as a base to explore also Utrecht and other Dutch towns), I couldn't have an hot shower, since the water has always been cold (I hope it was just a temporary problem). Amazing breakfast included in the price, with eggs and bread with very tasty jam and butter
10 of
20 people found this review helpful
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JABE
New Zealand
Bob's Youth Hostel sucks 14 July 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
JABE
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
(Review ID: 4470)
My friends and I (the four of us) decided to stay there since it was close to the busy area. To avoid the crowd and sleeping with strangers in the same room, we made a booking for one bed room for just the four of us a couple of months prior to our arrival (18 June, 05); and the booking was confirmed by Bob's youth hostel.When we got there, we were absolutely stunned that the hostel had let some people take over the room which we pre-booked, and that we had no choice but to share a room with 4 other guys! When we questioned why they gave our room away after they had confirmed our booking, the answer we were given was "don't know"We stayed at Bob's for one night, and it was dirty, uncomfortable, noisy, small. On the hostel's website, they claim that they have clean sheets and blankets; which is untrue - my blanket had a big hole, and my sheet had a big stain.We were also told that Bob's Youth Hostel would supply towels, but the truth is... yes, they would give you towels only if you want to PAY extra. And the breakfast... well, if you like some half boiled eggs, it would be ok for you.For 19 euros per person a day, I didn't expect a lot from this hostel but I expected the basic standards. And the whole "we have your booking but we gave your room away" was just plain rude and unprofessional. If you are willing to pay a couple of more euros, you would get a much better hotel: private bathroom, clean bed and sheets, security, towels and stuff. We recommend Diann - nice breakfast and super friendly staff. Absolutely love them!!!
17 of
30 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Iowa, USA
went to Amsterdam alone and left with friends 13 May 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4471)
When I walked down into the lounge to check in, it was like walking into a wall of smoke. A nice way to be welcomed to Amsterdam. My reservation got messed up but I managed to get a bed both nights. They were very good about that. Everything was clean, while being well worn and old. The staff was fun and played cool music. The best part was the lounge and the people you meet. If you want to get stoned, you'll have company (and, as a girl, consequently I think all the guys in this guy-dominated dorm felt the need to constantly pass me their joints...). If you want to play chess and cards and guitar with the coherant travelers, you'll have company. I did both and found friends to go out with (even random invites at 2:30 am...) both nights I stayed. It was right across from a good little internet café/bike rental place too. Close to the Red Light District and Centraal station. With the bar, the games, the weed, the internet, the books, etc, you don't even have to leave (which one poor wasted character never did the whole time I was there...). I would recommend this layed back hostel to anyone just wanted a place to sleep and good company a real dark smokey Amsterdam atmosphere.
13 of
23 people found this review helpful
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bgrunberg@hotmail.com
San Diego, California
Guy behind the counter... 6 May 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
bgrunberg@hotmail.com
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 4472)
I stayed at BOB's for about 3 nights. It wasn't too bad. For 20 Euros or so a night, you get to stay in a Central location, breakfast, have a social area, and opportunity to meet all kinds of interesting people. When I arrived (night train from Copenhagen), I remember arriving at Bob's around noon, and there was this arabic guy behind the counter checking everyone in. Man, this guy must have been stressed out because he was semi-yelling at everybody and all this, and he seemed like the only one working there that day.When I finally checked into the room, it was about 5pm or so, I remember going into the room and there were about 15 guys in there all passed out "stoned" and sleeping. It was a bit depressing looking, but funny as well.On one particular night, I came 'home' to Bob's at about 3am or so, after being at the coffee shops, so I was half stoned, half tired. Went to the room, trying to be as quiet as I can as everyone was sleeping and the room was dark. I was paying night per night there because I wasn't sure how long I was going to stay in Amsterdam / Bob's. So on that day, I forgot about the time and wanted to pay for another night, but it was past check out and they told me everything was booked. To make a long story short, they finally told me they will have a "mattress" on the floor ready for me.I went up to the room, trying to be as quiet as I can not to wake anyone up, and started looking for a 'mattress' on the floor. I found one in the darkness but someone was sleeping on it! So I went downstairs to let the arabic guy know, and he said he would go up "in a minute" to check it out. So I waited in the lobby area till he finishes. Man, they guy took his sweet old time, and finally made his way up there like 30 min. later. I was just so tired and wanted to go to sleep.We go to the room, and he sees that guy sleeping on 'my' mattress. So he immediately trys to wake him up by shaking him, the guy finally wakes up looking all stoned and tired, and finally he 'semi-yells' "What's your family name, what's your family name!" Almost everyone in the room woke up from the noise. I felt sorry for this poor guy on the mattress, he had no idea what was going on. Anyways, after checking his list, this guy was paid for. So the arabic guy from the counter told me to follow him and we went upstairs to another room. He went inside woke everyone up, and came out with like 3 japanese girls. Like the guy on the mattress, they were all tired and maybe stoned as well. Then the guy yelled, "What's your family name, what's your family name." I felt bad for them, anyways, after checking his 'list,' they were all paid for. Finally, he tells me....."do you want to sleep in the hallway?" It was about 4am now, and I was just so ready to crash almost anywhere, but not on the fucking floor of the hallway. He finally opens up this closet and WAM! out comes a mattress, so I had to DRAG this mattress from the very top floor to the first, and finally.......crashed. Man, he woke up all those people for no reason, all he had to do is get that mattress in there in the first place, matter solved.Overall, great hostel, had a great time, and it's worth staying there for a couple nights.P.S. Anyone have Pictures from Bob's? I didn't have my camera at the time. Thanks.
11 of
20 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Germany
The best hostel in Amsterdam with very nice people 7 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4473)
I love it there. When I first arrived at the hostel and saw the dusty reception room, I thought it´s just a hostel where all the " joint - travellers " go to. Then I talked to the staff, a nice and funny boy. And also a girl of the staff helped us to cook our "5 minutes meal " and gave us helpful tips how to park our car for free. Thanks a lot! Our room in which stayed 10 person was to our surprise very clean comparing to other hostels and I liked that nearly every day people of our room leaved and new ones arrived. So we got to know many people of different nations . Some were a bit strange , but there was always a friendly atmosphere. ( Before the vacation I felt a bit afraid sharing a room with so many people. I thought half of my luggage would be stolen and it would get trouble with the other room members ). Nothing of my stuff got stolen though my bag just lay on the floor over night including all my money. Well, what I did not liked that was the shower. There were nothing to put your cloth. I always put them in an old bag. But it didn´t helped. Always it got a bit wet. Another negative point is that they say the hostel is 24 hours open. But after 3 am you have to knock at the door and a little man ( we called him "the gnom " )opens the door. The dilemma is that everybody is just allowed to knock once . otherwise no one will open anymore. In addition we always got trouble with the gnom. I did not like him. But we had really sweet room neighbours from California rrrrrrrr. In the reception room there are also many tables with couches and chares. in the evening and night it gets very crowded there. It s a meeting point for all who stay in the hostel and you can also bring with your friends who don´t stay at this hostel. Well , this room is always full with weed- smoke. But after a time it does not matter anymore to you. Hey you guys, come to Bob´s and have fun in Amsterdam.
9 of
19 people found this review helpful
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Hellrider
Tilburg, Netherlands
Nice apartments around the corner 22 November 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Hellrider
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 4474)
I went to Bob's with a group of 8 people. Made a reservation in advance. They promised me to put us all in the same room. I called twice to double check. But when we got there at Bob's at 7 pm they told us that it would only be possible to all sleep in different rooms. We didn't agree and got hooked up with 3 nice apartments which they own just around the corner. Hooked us up for the same price. One room had a big ass tv in it. Sweet. So when you book you should also check availability for those apartments.
10 of
21 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
yorkshire, UK
bobs is best 10 April 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 4475)
I stayed in bobs last week, it was the first time i had been to amsterdam and to bobs.I thought it was pretty much perfect. Bobs has a good location right in the centre of amsterdam, friendly and helpful staff, clean rooms and its damn cheap. The breakfast was sufficient and the people staying there all seemed friendly and pleasant. The only downer was that you cant smoke in the rooms, but i suppose that this is perfectly reasonable for the fire risk and the rights of non smokers etc.overall i would say:go to bobs if you want a cheap bed, clean sheets and a good location.dont go to bobs if you expect more than you are paying for
23 of
33 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
bedfordshre, england
damn cheap and oddly clean 21 February 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4476)
after staying in a crappy hostel for a night, couldn't stomach it anymore, we discovered bobs. ill admit the staff did look grumpy but they were in fact real nice to all of us. the room was nice and clean with a shower in our roomwith a sink. i thought that, for the low cost, it was a great stay and im going to stay there again next time im there.
16 of
25 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
England
crazy place 26 January 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4477)
I dont remember the place being that dirty and the breakfast was ok if you like your scrambled eggs with hash in that is ( I do) the atmosphere was really chilled and friendly and ***text deleted to comply with BUG's review guidelines*** was a real "character" he told me he never slept because "bad things happen when you sleep" I realized what he meant when I woke up one night to find him at the bottom of my bunk touching my feet he said he was just trying to wake me to tell me that my friend had missed the curfew but I had heard rumours about his foot fetish from other girls. All in all I really enjoyed it there it was a laugh and an experience and I met loads of great people just dont expect a nice sanitized boring hostel because youll be dissapointed
