Spuistraat 6, 1012 Amsterdam Tram 1, 2, 5, 13, 17 (stop: Martelaarsgracht) Metro Centraal Station Tel (020) 421 3670 Websitewww.aivengoyouthhostel.com
BUG Review
This small hostel is charming and very clean. The dark painted walls are adorned with glass beads, and elegant curtains give it a mellow ambiance, but there is no real social area for guests. The dorms are large, with single beds instead of bunks. Bathrooms are spotlessly clean with hairdryers and good water pressure, and security is excellent. Staff are quiet but pleasant, and they offer free internet. The only downside is that there is no breakfast or kitchen, only a microwave available for use.
Price Dorm bed €20-25 Twin room €35 Prices are in euro and are inclusive of all taxes.
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Seasonal Opening March-December
Reception Open 6am-4am daily; 24 hour check-in available
Pros:
easy to get to from train station, right beside red light district, nice staff
Cons:
no common room, expensive, dark and smelly!
eurotrippers
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we would not recommend this hostel. we paid 35 euros per night for a dorm bunk bed (a bit more than it says it should cost on this website), there was no common room, the bathrooms were basically in the reception, it was dark in the dorms and stunk of hash(though you couldnt smoke in the hostel). the staff were friendly though!
Pros:
The location couldn't be much better, and the price is great too.
Cons:
The communal area is tiny, and the fridge and microwave are in the washroom...
itsafrogslife
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OK, so it's a long, long time since I stayed in a youth hostel, and it took a little bit of time to get used to it again, but I saved a heap load of money over a B&B or hotel, and was able to book at Aivengo at short notice when all hotels seemed to be booked up for the Liberation Day holiday.Let's take the good points first.1) The location is great. It's a short walk from the station, and from Damrak (the main road down to Dam Square). It's easy to hop onto a tram if you're going any distance or want to save time, but it's also handy to walk to most of the main sights.2) Booking on the Internet at Hostelworld.com was a breeze.3) The price was great, and with the cheap easyJet flight I had a really cheap weekend break.4) The computer in the hallway had free Internet access, and there was free wireless for those travelling with laptops or PDAs.5) I didn't make use of the free tea and coffee, but they were there if I wanted them. Now for the down side.1) The first night was disturbed a number of times by people returning. There is a curfew between 4am and 6am, but that didn't stop one group from calling in through the window to waken someone to open the door for them.2) There's no dedicated kitchen area. The microwave and fridge are in the washroom. A major disadvantage if you're eating in-house.3) There are no in-house laundry facilities, although you can pay the hostel to do a bag of laundry for you.4) With a tiny communal area it's very difficult for a community atmosphere to develop. People are either in their room or out of the hostel. I can't remember anyone speaking a word to me while I was there (and that's not for want of trying on my part).So, on the balance of things the hostel is better than average, but not as good as the better ones (obviously!).
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1 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 4444)
Nice place to stay, January 14, 2006
Reviewer:
Sandra
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I've stayed here for three nights. It's very quite and clean place. Location is good. I'll be back next year
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(Review ID: 4445)
great to a bit disappointing, October 16, 2005
Reviewer:
Lea
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the first thing i thought,when i entered the hostel at 5 am was: wow this place is small, the nightguy is grumpy , but the location is just perfect...(we weren't let into the dorms before 10 am but they took our luggage)for the most part my first impression didn't really change. the night guy turned out to be quite strange, however the other two hostel people were really nice, which kind of made up for that .indeed the hostel "foyer" and "bathroom" stayed as small as it seemed, but the dorms turned out to be quite comfy. still the microwave and the fridge remained next to the sink of the "bathroom" and the waterheater next to the computer ,but i dunno it kinda made the place charming.and since i hope nobody wants to go to AMSTERDAM to just hang around the hostel all time, its actually pretty perfect : you don't even need more than warm water , a bed and somewhere to put your stuff and a somewhat good location ( this was defiantly true for this hostel) : these factors are all met at aivengo's. i have experienced many different hostels and aivengo is on the side of the better ones! and if you expect more luxury,well then get a hotel room!!!!!!!!
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(Review ID: 4446)
Its ok if you dont mind basic places, October 2, 2005
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Anonymous
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I stayed there 2 nights, and wished I hadnt paid upfront as you cant get a refund. It was advertised as a 14 bed female room, well it had 19 beds and was mixed. The bathroom and reception area, and the 3 chairs (lounge) are all in the same open area. A curtain seperates reception from the mixed toilets/showers. The fridge and microwave are in the bathroom, plonked next to the bathroom sink. They had a window open which the not so friendly night guy wouldnt allow you to close, so we froze all night. The not so friendly night guy has a policy of turning the lights on at 8am each morning. Not good if you have been out late :( The place is decorated nicely, however no social area. not much security either, the room has 6 lockers available...19 beds in the room. ok place to stay if you bring your own sleeping bag and dont mind communal living at its best.
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3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 4447)
Not too Shabby, May 6, 2005
Reviewer:
bgrunberg@hotmail.com
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Stayed here for two nights. It's centrally located not too far from Central Station, Damrak St., and everywhere you want to go. Unlike some other hostels where you have 2-3 bunk beds in each room, here you have about 20-25. They have two Large rooms, co-ed, hot showers. Not bad for the price of 20 Euros/nt. Only down side to it is the lockout from 1-5pm and the curfew. Either than that, it's alright.
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5 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 4448)
Interesting small hostel, April 18, 2005
Reviewer:
Javor Hristov
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I stayed there for 1 night with my girlfriend. I must admit it was a funny situation because there is two huge rooms with about 17 beds each (girls and boys). The atmosphere is great though , very arty. The staff - 10/10. Great people. its held by this dutch couple. There are showers and toilets. Very clean. Clean beds: bunked and normal. For the price of 20 a night its not bad at all. its located RIGHT in the center of the city, very close to Central Station and a leap away from the Red Light District. Even some red lights are located on the street itself. I recommend to anyone who is not very requiring of luxuries of the larger backpacker hostels and is just looking for having a great time in the city.
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(Review ID: 4449)
A decent cheap place to stay, July 25, 2004
Reviewer:
Zebra8
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I stayed here for one night because I had to leave early the next morning to catch my train. The rate is pretty good at 20 Euros, considering its location.The dorms were colorfully decorated and unique. Security was good; you need to pass reception to access the dorms. The bathrooms were ok. The 2 showers were small and cramped. Free towel and free internet access are included. 2 PCs are provided for surfing.There is no common room, no kitchen or breakfast, no lockers, although they can keep valuables for you at reception. There is a 2 seat sofa and TV just outside the dorms. I got woken up by someone who was watching TV really loud at 2am in the morning. Additionally, I was able to hear street chatter outside in the back dorm where I stayed in because the window was open.Overall, this place is not that bad at all. They do not accept reservations, so come early if you plan to stay here.
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(Review ID: 4450)
Ideal hostel for some, June 4, 2004
Reviewer:
justpeachy23
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I stayed in this hostel mid March 2004 with the recommendation from Let's Go. You will like Anna Youth Hostel depending on what you want from a hostel. The hostel being smoke-free was great by my standards, being Amsterdam. No common room, but I still managed to meet people, including someone who went to my school back in KS. Pretty decor gave it a bohemian feel. Free internet access a plus. They don't take reservations, so the earlier you arrive in the morning, the better. True, the bathroom is next to the front desk, but the only person out there is whoever is manning the desk, and there were all individual stalls, so I didn't see it as a problem. They won't let you keep your luggage there past 1 pm even if you are not leaving until nighttime.Basically, if you are looking for a safe, centrally located, cheap and clean hostel, Anna Youth Hostel is your place. If you want a more social, backpacker or smoker friendly hostel, head elsewhere.
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(Review ID: 4451)
very easygoing,alternative staff all and all pleasant, February 18, 2004
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Anonymous
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comming from CANADA and first time overseas,not in the city 10 min walk past ANNA,walk back to ANNA go in say "hello,do u have any space?""yes" she replies. she gives me a ledger or guest book ,write my name she shows me a bed ten minutes later im in a coffee shop,stoned like never ever before.in under a half hour i have a bed and im stoned!!.THe place is nice ,comfortable,friendly.who care about the lock out,if you wanna be inside sitting on your bed in the afternoon you should have stayed at home.the curfew could be extended or even no curfew but after 3 once your in your in.the facilities were simple,there was hot water meger but it was there.a word of the wise,if your a smoker and you wake up early and wanna smoke,when you go outside 1 dont let the door close and lock you out.2 DONT let anyone in(before 9pm i think) i made the mistake ,when i was out smoking two back packers young guys looking for a place walked right by me int o the hostel,2 minutes later they leave,10 seconds later the early morning girl comes out and tears the biggest strip off me,i said i was sorry,but she kept going,whew,i made that my last day there,was off to paris anyway,but will go back when in the dam again
