HI - Namur - Félicien Rops Hostel

This Hostelling international (HI) affiliated hostel is set in beautiful surrounds on the river Meuse. It's in an old three story house in a residential area, but the back has been extensively added onto. There are two cute turtles in a tank at reception to greet you when you arrive. The staff are friendly and helpful and there is a good atmosphere. The bar serves a selection of Belgian beers in fancy glasses 'til about 11pm. There's a nice area out the front where you can sit and drink the night away by the river. Another good feature is the self catering kitchen which is clean and has the utensils you need to cook a decent feed but it lacks a full sized oven.

The rooms in the house are simple and clean with narrow but sturdy bunk beds and sinks in the rooms. In the additiona in the back the rooms are a bit newer, but with a bit less character. The shared bathrooms are ok, but not great since they may be a bit neglected. The showers are a bit grubby and drained poorly and are activated by one of those annoying buttons that gives you 20 seconds of spray then stops. The soap dispenser in the lady's loo was empty when we arrived and was still empty four days later when we left.

Breakfast is included in the price and includes cornflakes, milk, coffee, teas, juice, drinking chocolate, bread, assorted spreads, and (if your lucky) fruit. Other facilities include a TV room, laundry, and free internet (which is often broken). Bedrooms are out of bounds for cleaning from 10-4pm, but other areas of the hostel are still open during this time. An unfortunate inconvenience is that there is only one key for every bedroom which must be left at reception when no one is in the room. Lockers are available if you bring your own lock, but they are not big enough for a pack.

The hostel is about three kilometers from the train station and town centre. It is possible to walk (and it's flat!), but if you have lots of stuff you can get bus number 3 or 4 (for about 1.5 euro) from outside the station which will drop you off nearer the hostel. You want a bus going in the direction of the citadel. If you decide to walk (or have no choice), go out of the station towards the bus stop. Turn to your left and head for the river (ask the way if you need help). When you get to the river, go right and walk straight for about two kilometers and you will come to the hostel just after the river lock. There is ample parking in the area and space for bikes out the back.

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