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Shelter City Hostel
Barndesteeg 21, 1012 BV Amsterdam
Metro Nieuwmarkt
Tel (020) 625 32 30
Website www.shelter.nl
BUG Review
This Shelter hostel is very similar to the Shelter Jordan, but probably the better of the two. Though still with empty halls and minimalist rooms, the bathrooms are nicer and newer and the rooms are nicely carpeted. The bar is happy and inviting, with quirky decorations and a large courtyard with a fountain where travellers congregate to eat. Staff are nice enough, and the location is great, near the center of the Red Light District. For the price, it is one of the cleanest and safest option in the area, and if you have not come to Amsterdam for drugs and parties, you can still have a good time here, away from the clouds of smoke and noise of the other places.
Price
Dorm bed €16-23.50
Price includes breakfast
Prices are in euro and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit Cards
American Express,Diners Club,JCB,MasterCard,Visa
Reception Open
7am-2am
Tell a friend
Last Update:
November
30, 2008
Travellers' reviews for Shelter City Hostel
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good place to spend the night, March 5, 2006
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Reviewer:
Jukey
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While others have noted that it is not a party hostel, that is quite correct. It is for sleeping and eating breakfast, and other than that we didn't really spend a lot of time there. Not because of the hostel, but because we were exploring the city. It is a really good place to sleep and eat breakfast. The breakfast was very good. There are a few options, and they make a warm breakfast for you, which is a serious treat after just having toast and cereal for the majority of our trip. We had french toast one morning and eggs/ham the other morning for breakfast, other things they serve is pancakes, etc.Other people have commented that they push their beliefs onto you when you stay here. This is definitely not the case. They inform you of their beliefs and give you an open invitation to attend a bible study when you check in, and really don't do much past that. We never went to a bible study there, and we were treated very well.Unfortunately there computers with internet access weren't working when we were there, but there are a number of internet cafes around amsterdam that we were able to use.Bathrooms were very nice, and having a shower that you didn't have to keep pressing the button so it would stay on was really nice.The biggest surprise about the hostel is that it is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the red light district. When you walk to the hostel from the train station you don't go through any red light areas, but when you leave the hostel and head the other direction you realize where you are VERY quickly. The main red light district in Amsterdam is a main straight (with a canal down the middle) and some of the side streets off this main street have red light buildings also. This hostel is on one of these side streets. Next to it is a "massage" place that never seems to be open, and next to that is your first red light place. Not that this was a bad thing, but just a big surprise. The Red Light district itself is very very interesting to walk around because it is so different to things you are normally used to. The scariest part is the people that walk up to you as you are walking, and as they keep pace with you they ask you under their breath "Cocaine, extasy?". Just say no, and they'll leave you alone.Overall, this place was a great place to stay while in Amsterdam.
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4 of
5 people found this review helpful
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Don't expect friendly staff in you're not 'born again', October 1, 2005
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Anonymous
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I really give this place 2.5 stars, but that wasn't an option on the rating button.I stayed here with my sister in August '05 for three nights. The place wasn't super clean, my bed had apparently not been cleaned prior as there were dirt and pubs in my bed the first night. The bathrooms were alright, but too small for the number of people staying there and I only took one shower the whole time I was staying there because the showers were pretty dirty (even though I took a shower right after it was 'cleaned') In the large dorms the beds are short (I'm 5'7" and they were too short) and very close together.IF YOU'RE NOT A 'BORN AGAIN' CHRISTIAN, DON'T PLAN ON FRIENDLY STAFF!! I found the staff to be incredibly rude and cold, even in the first few hours that we were there, before they knew our religious preferences. They say that they will not push their religious beliefs on you, but they are liars. I had one man disturb me while I was checking my e-mail (which I only had 15 minutes of PAID time to use) to ask me whether or not I was a 'born again'. My sister and I were immediately shunned after declining bible study.The location is pretty funny, I guess if you pick a mission you should go big or go home. There are prostitutes, literally, next door. It is walking distance from the main station and is easy to find.The breakfast is pretty good by hostel standards and is included. It is portioned though, so if you normally eat a large breakfast don't expect it to suffice.Internet is not too expensive - 50 cents for 15 min- but it is VERY slow and will not load many sites.
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Just don't miss bible study!, September 11, 2005
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Reviewer:
Aimee
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This hostel was (hands down) the least friendly one I encountered. I was there with a friend. We got there around dinner time; checked in and went to get dinner, and subsequently missed bible study. When we came back, people stared at us walking in, and no one was especially talkative. I don't want to think it was because we missed bible study, but it kinda seemed that way. We stopped at The Shelter because my friend didn't want to stay at a hostel that smelled like pot (and it doesn't).The beds are clean, but it was a huge dormitory room and people went to bed early. Perhaps it was the people I was staying with that made it not so much fun. I gave it 3 stars, rating the cleanliness and quality of the room, not the atmosphere (1 star, if that) or the breakfast (that choice of hot breakfast is only for the earliest risers).
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Adequate, August 1, 2005
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Anonymous
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Although it's a christian hostel, nothing about christianity was mentioned at all, apart from posters etc. in the rooms. The breakfast was good and rooms were clean. We stayed in a 4 bed dorm, bit annoying the showers are on a different level. It was about a 10-15 minute walk from the main station. Not a party hostel but good if you want to sleep (although i can get a little noisy with slamming doors and people yelling on the street).
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1 of
1 people found this review helpful
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okay, May 28, 2005
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Reviewer:
Wil
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well l WAS there like over 2 years ago (november 2001) but hey, l've just realised l can go find all the hostels l stayed at in europe on this website and rate them for fun! lolso here goes... well, the 'shelter' indeed (regarding its christian, make that evangelist, ideals). as others have said, it's rather a large dose of irony being on barndesteeg, pretty much dead centre of the red light district when you have a look at the little map they give you. yeah, this is a christian hostel, and the only one l stayed at in my 3 months travelling but hey, the experience! that's what travelling's all about, and this was something different, even if the guy serving breakfast was a pain in the ass. it was like he was trying to prove his distaste for us and the general surroundings he was working in (i.e. red light district). he gave me the eggs and toast and said 'enjoy it', sounds mild enough, but the tone of voice made me pretty mad, well enough to say 'l will' just as icily back. lolbut the african refugees waiting for asylum were really interesting. a fella about 27 sat down directly across from me at breakfast time one morning and we had a conversation about why he was there, and just generally got to know each other. this was one of the most touching, precious, well remembered times of my whole trip. it suddenly made me realise the enormous wealth I had, and the massive indulgence I was enjoying spending all this money just on myself to flit around EU for a few meaningless days in each city centre. l got so much out of just that conversation, so much warmth and appreciation of the human spirit. good luck to him. l really hope he has been successful and is staying in holland now. talk about extremes, this hostel is so close to the prostitution circus, there's two long streets of it nearby, going down both sides of a canal, great fun to walk along and laugh at all the girls cavorting in the windows. poor women though, really is a seedy, sad business. l reckon this hostel was well worth the stay, it provided a great breaky, plenty of opportunities to meet interesting guests, and great access to one of the prime tourist spots in amsterdam. l work in a hostel back in Oz now - the Shakespeare Backpackers in Adelaide, and we don't even offer free breakfast (although you do get a cup of uncooked rice a day and free internet and the cooking facilities are top notch) so try the Shelter out at least for a night. l mean, it's just accomodation, and it comes clean and quiet here (at the time of year l went); - you go out for the entertainment right? so many reviewers here seem to mix this up, entertainment vs a good night's sleep in a clean, quiet, accessible hostel. the latter is provided for amply at the shelter.
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Recommended - spartan, but clean and good value., April 3, 2005
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Reviewer:
tangerine
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Pros:
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Dates stayed at hostel: December 12-16, 2004.Type of room: 14-bed single-sex dorm.Price: 16,00 euro per night, per bed.SUMMARY: A Christian hostel. Facilities are clean and wholesome, and for the rates, it really is the cheapest hostel in Amsterdam with a great location. Not much of a "party hostel" (note the curfew, and the prohibition on drugs/alcohol), but nevertheless a very friendly and comfortable place. Directions from train station: Inside Centraal Station, walk up the concourse towards the end that slopes upwards - this will get you to the main entrance. From the entrance, head directly south towards bustling Damrak, but before you get there, turn off to the left immediately after the bridge into Zeedijk. Zeedijk is quite long, but if you follow it all the way to the end, it will take you Nieuwmarkt (an open marketplace with a church in the middle). Take the third street on the right (Barndesteeg). The hostel is on the right hand side, at #21. There is a map on the hostel website.ROOMS. The room I was staying in had 14 beds, arranged as 7 bunk beds. There are no reading lights, so it can be a bit dark on the bottom bunks. Walls between the bunk beds give some measure of privacy. Beds are assigned. 3 heaters in the room; no coat hooks or tables/chairs. In winter, the dorm room was fairly empty, with only 7 people there at its busiest.SECURITY. Rooms are unlocked, but security is quite good as they don't let anyone past reception without showing a card you are given after check-in. Lockers with keys provided are in the room, but they're fairly narrow and aren't big enough for a standard backpack. There is a luggage room behind reception, with chains provided that you can use to lock your backpacks to. BATHROOMS. VERY clean. I stayed in 18 hostels over this trip, and the bathrooms here were the cleanest I saw. There are several shower stalls in the bathroom, which has a partially partitioned area in each stall with a narrow bench in it. The tap in the shower is a little awkwardly positioned, to the effect that you keep knocking into it when you turn around to rinse your hair. There are three toilets and three basins in the bathroom, as well as a basin/mirror in each dorm room.BREAKFAST. Included, with some choice as to what you receive (typical fare, but with sliced bread instead of the buns you might find in other parts of Europe). There is the option of a hot breakfast on some days of the week.INTERNET. There are two terminals, although one was broken when I was there. Tokens can be purchased from reception, but there are two EasyEverything internet cafes not far from the hostel (one on Damrak, and one to the south beyond the flower market) which are better value.LINEN. Provided, sheets and a heavy wool blanket. Beds are made when you arrive, and made again for you every morning during lock-out.LOCATION. Located in the heart of the red light district, but if you take the eastern (Nieuwmarkt side) exit from the street instead of exiting towards the west (which will take you past prostitutes in windows, and then into the heart of the red light district), the red light district can be pretty much avoided. Not far from the train station and Damrak. The road to the train station (Zeedijk) should be avoided after dark, as it's home to a lot of drug pushers.STAFF & CHECK-IN. The Christian staff is VERY nice, and all speak English fluently as most of them seem to be Americans. It IS a Christian hostel so there is bible study and Christian pamphlets (as well as the "God Loves You" sign, and excerpts from the Bible stuck onto the cafe tables), but noone's pushy and there's no proselytizing at all. There is a loudspeaker which is used sometimes (for bible study, visitor/phone call, or check-out announcements, etc), and this can either be amusing or irritating depending on your mindset. FACILITIES. No kitchen, but there is a cheap cafe serving American-type food (burgers, fries, etc). There is also a common area downstairs with tables and chairs, and some games available in the cafe.$: 5 euro deposit on locker key. I believe credit cards are either not accepted, or carry a higher rate.
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3 of
3 people found this review helpful
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Worst I've been to, October 21, 2003
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Reviewer:
Barb
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Of all the hostels I was in on my nine week trip through Europe this place was the absolute worst. It's not even worth the five euro you'll save staying here. The room was hot and gross filled with people. The bunkbeds were a foot away from each other and I woke up in the middle of the night to find the stranger across from me just staring at me. They keep a blue light on all night that will keep you awake if you're on the top bunk. We were sooo unhappy here, we paid for two nights but only stayed for one. We didn't even care to try and get our money back, we just wanted out of that God inspired hell-hole. If you need somewhere to stay, stay at Vondelpark, it's great!!
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1 of
7 people found this review helpful
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Not one if you want to actually stay out past 12!, July 21, 2003
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Reviewer:
Oli Richards
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We only stayed here for one night, after that we got out pretty quickish!After paying our money we were presented with a nice long list of 'house rules!' Ie no drinking, midnight curfew, 10 o clock lockout.Aside from that the dorms are huge so you get some real snorers which are enough to keep anyone awake! The dorms are also not mixed so if your going in as a couple you'll be split.On the other hand there is a real nice little courtyard and cafe, and the staff are prety friendly.The location isnt bad either, in the middle of the red light district.Oh and on a final note, did anyone else wonder if the girl by tai massage was actually a man??
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Rules, Religion and a Good Night's Sleep., July 20, 2003
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Reviewer:
Sarah.
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My friend and I checked into the Shelter mostly because some kids we'd met in Berlin told us that it was a nice alternative to Amsterdams drug scene. The location is great. You're smack dab in the middle of the red light district, which means you can find quite a lot of fun. However, the curfew is irritatingly early (midnight weekdays, I think, and one on the weekends), and rigidly enforced; they even turn the lights off on you. In the morning theres a wake up call, but its not an obnoxious one. On the bright side, the strict sleeping rules really aid in getting you a good nights sleep. Additionally, though the rooms are large and filled with people, there are partitions throughout, which give some privacy and help to cut the noise a little. The Christian thing isnt a big deal unless you're really quite sensitive. I'm a proper heathen personally, but I wasnt offended when the guy at the desk handed me a gospel of John and said: "Heres a complimentary copy of John. You can return it when you check out if you like, or youre free to keep it. We have Bible Study at 7:30, you're welcome to attend but it's not required or anything." There was some religious artwork around, but it was far from oppressive. The staff is among the friendliest, and happiest, I've seen in hostels anywhere. The breakfast is pretty good. You can get quick cold food (bread and jam, a hard boiled egg, etc) or you can wait a few minutes and get hot food (pancakes, french toast, etc). The bathroom facilities were average and acceptable. The lockers were old style, but effective and convenient enough to use; best of all, they're free, though you have to leave a deposit. The guy at the desk told us that theres a lot of theft with things left out of the lockers, but I witnessed none of it personally while I was there. Over all not a bad hostel if you can tolerate the curfew; especially nice if youre trying to avoid Amsterdams drug scene.
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6 of
6 people found this review helpful
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