CHAB - Centre Vincent van Gogh Youth Hotel

The Vincent Van Gogh hostel is a large social hostel. If that's what you're looking for, there isn't much not to like about this one.

If anything, perhaps the location could be a little more central. It's located in the northeast edge of the city. There isn't anything in the immediate area as far as sights to see or places to eat or hang out, but it is at least just around the corner from a metro stop.

The rooms are located in two different buildings, the main one where the common areas are, and a second building across the street. The rooms in both are pretty much equally nice, with clean rooms and good bathroom facilities. The price you pay for a dorm bed will vary depending on how many beds are in the room, with cheaper prices for beds in the larger rooms (but with an increased probability of getting a snorer). One negative point is that there is a lockout beginning early in the morning at 10 AM, which is especially unfortunate at a hostel with a fun late night bar.

All of the common space is grouped together in one central area in the hostel. The common area includes a full kitchen, pay internet terminals, a laundry area, and a dining hall where the free breakfast is served (corn flakes, bread with jam, and orange juice). The center of the common space is a bar that serves beer at a very reasonable price. Surrounding the bar are a couple indoor seating areas (and a pool table). Just past that is a large courtyard which is great when the weather is nice.

The Vincent Van Gogh hostel is a social hostel and at night there are always plenty of people around to chat with. It's a great place to swap stories and tips with people who have already been to the places you're going. Brussels is often used as a brief stopping point between other cities, so there's almost a completely new set of travellers every day.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review