Stayokay Bergen op Zoom Hostel

Stayokay Bergen op Zoom has been in operation for a while (the "Stay Okay" part of the name has more recently been added to all official HI hostels in the Netherlands). The hostel is located on the edge of Bergen Op Zoom, near the area's largest hospital, with very nice biking and walking trails nearby. The Belgium border is a few kilometers away. It is appealing especially to cyclists and nature lovers, and can be crowded in the summer. In the off season the number of travelers dwindles to only a few.

If you know Stay Okay hostels, Bergen Op Zoom will be no great surprise for you. It is clean. The buildings in the hostel compound are well kept. It feels very safe. The dining hall is large and centrally located. The breakfasts are excellent, as much as you want. Evening meals, a packed lunch, bicycle, internet - many amenities are available for an additional cost. A bicycle is a necessity on weekends when bus service slows or stops altogether.

Bergen Op Zoom has various bed arrangements available, large halls, four person rooms, etc. There are also family apartments on the grounds, with four to six beds, kitchens, etc. Bicycles and evening meals can be included at a discount with some arrangements. Note carefully when your extra meals will be served. The staff doesn't like visitors to skip a scheduled dinner, and may assume you are aware your one included evening meal in your two day stay will be served the night you arrive. There is storage shelving in the rooms but no lockers. The rooms use the card key system. Make sure you get your gear out of your room by 10 a.m. on the day you leave, when the card key becomes useless.

The staff are pleasant and business-like, and multilingual. The bar and common areas are spacious. But the internet is slow and expensive.

Bergen Op Zoom is an old stately city dating from the 12th century. The town is surrounded by vast woods which run all the way into Belgium. It is popular with swimmers, nature lovers, cyclists, and the museum Het Markiezenhof is first rate, too.

From the train station take Bus 191. "Jeugd Herberg" is what the locals call it.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review