The Hostelz.com Review
Marnix Hotel & Hostel is a small, cosy hostel located in Marnixstraat, which is a small street off the main throughfare of Leidseplein. The hostel is a good place from which to explore the lively city of Amsterdam. Although the hostel is centrally located and extremely convenient to the numerous bars and pubs of Leidseplein, actually getting to the hostel from the train station (Amsterdam Centraal) can prove to be a bit of a hassle. If you choose to walk, it is at least a twenty- to thirty-minute walk through pretty confusing and very similarly named streets. A better idea would be to take the tram to the main Leidseplein area, then walk to Marnixstraat from there.
The counter staff are quite welcoming and friendly, and really take pains to ensure that the guests are happy with the rooms and know where all the amenities like the showers are. The rooms that are located on the upper floors of the building have to be accessed by way of a narrow staircase, which can be challenging to ascend especially with luggage or a backpack. The corridors and rooms are rather small and cramped, but still relatively comfortable, since you shouldn't be aiming to spend a lot of time in your room.
The hostel rooms and shower and toilet facilities are very clean and well lighted, though simply furnished. The hot water showers are of a good temperature, and do not give the lukewarm water that you come to expect from many hostel showers, and the bedding is comfortable with sufficiently thick mattresses and pillows. The morning breakfast provided is simple but fresh and satisfactory to prepare one for a whole day of touring around.
The surrounding neighborhood of Leidseplein is definitely one of the most lively and buzzing places to hang out in at night, with its many pubs, bars, and other nightspots. The location of the Marnix hostel is just a stone's throw away, thus one can stay out late without worrying about missing the last tram or having to walk through the streets late at night. The Leidseplein area also makes a refreshing and more wholesome change from the Red Light district area, the other place in Amsterdam with exciting nightlife.
We would definitely recommend this hostel to anyone looking for a comfortable, clean, and reasonably priced place to stay in Amsterdam. However, you should book in advance, as the hostel is rather small and tends to run out of available rooms quickly, especially in the summer tourist season.
The counter staff are quite welcoming and friendly, and really take pains to ensure that the guests are happy with the rooms and know where all the amenities like the showers are. The rooms that are located on the upper floors of the building have to be accessed by way of a narrow staircase, which can be challenging to ascend especially with luggage or a backpack. The corridors and rooms are rather small and cramped, but still relatively comfortable, since you shouldn't be aiming to spend a lot of time in your room.
The hostel rooms and shower and toilet facilities are very clean and well lighted, though simply furnished. The hot water showers are of a good temperature, and do not give the lukewarm water that you come to expect from many hostel showers, and the bedding is comfortable with sufficiently thick mattresses and pillows. The morning breakfast provided is simple but fresh and satisfactory to prepare one for a whole day of touring around.
The surrounding neighborhood of Leidseplein is definitely one of the most lively and buzzing places to hang out in at night, with its many pubs, bars, and other nightspots. The location of the Marnix hostel is just a stone's throw away, thus one can stay out late without worrying about missing the last tram or having to walk through the streets late at night. The Leidseplein area also makes a refreshing and more wholesome change from the Red Light district area, the other place in Amsterdam with exciting nightlife.
We would definitely recommend this hostel to anyone looking for a comfortable, clean, and reasonably priced place to stay in Amsterdam. However, you should book in advance, as the hostel is rather small and tends to run out of available rooms quickly, especially in the summer tourist season.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2006
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Don't go there if you can find any other place! And I really mean it. We were four people, having two private rooms for 2 nights and one private room and two beds in a dorm for the third night. In one of the private rooms there were mice, as well as in the kitchen (it ate our bread). The kitchen itself was disabled, and when we put back the electricity ourselves and the hotel keepers found out, they got really angry and asked us in a very unfriendly manner to not cook anything there without giving any reason. In the stove was a pizza covered in mold, and obviously they were well aware of this, since the same person shouting at us looked into there (to confirm we didn't clean it up to use the stove?) and did nothing about it (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of it, but we've all seen it). Also, it was raining pretty much at the time when we were there, with the result that another couple staying on our floor at the same time had to change their room because it was raining through the roof. No damage was done to their stuff, but only with luck. The dorm room two of us stayed in was terrible -- 3 bunk beds in a room where even two would have been too much, leaving nearly no space for our stuff, since there were four other people with big backpacks in there already. The view out of the window revealed a backyard full of trash, and there wasn't any possibility to prepare food, no shower and only one (dirty) toilet for the maximum of 18 people who could be on one floor. So, if you want an agreeable place to stay in Amsterdam, just go ANYwhere else, I guess ... This place isn't worth its price! — Miriam , Germany (2011-10-09) Pretty average broken microwave, no kettle, and overpriced. unable to prepare any food. — Harry , Australia (2011-05-09) Without a doubt, worst hotel of my life This is the first time I have ever been insulted and almost assaulted by a receptionist in a hotel. Here is the story in a nutshell:
My friends and I came back from a night out in Amsterdam at what must have been 12 or 12.30am; a reasonable hour I would think (at least for a hotel). The problem was that we weren't able to get into our room because the main door of the hotel building had been locked. One of our friends had returned to the hotel earlier than us that night seeing as though she was feeling tired and wanted to get some rest. The receptionist didn't have keys to the second building (this is where they accommodate guests in case there are too many people in their main establishment) because, according to him, he had already used the key once to let one of the guests of our room in (our friend). Thus, in an attempt to understand this ridiculous situation of a receptionist telling guests he is unable to open the door to the hotel, we insisted that he call someone or do something to let us in. After about 5 mins, the receptionist starting insulting us and telling us that we find ourselves another solution (maybe he meant another hotel, throwing stones at the window, attempt to climb up to the 4th floor or who knows). When I told him I would go talk to the police he decided to get off his lazy posterior and feebly threatened me with his funny accent (actually, at the time I was crapping in my pants thinking my night would end in a fight). CONCLUSION: IF YOU WANT TO GO TO A HOTEL (one of those where you actually sleep on a bed, you can come back anytime you want) TRUST ME, this is the last place on earth you want to go. — Anonymous , Spain (2010-11-23) All can say about this place is to beware of the dungeon -- otherwise known as the basement. The hostel building is nice enough but to be put down underground into a room with 6 beds which should only really have 4 was a huge disappointment. the walls are paper thin so watch what you say! and the little guy at the reception was far from friendly. not happy. — Britta , Australia (2007-05-20) This hostel was ok. The location was great. A main square with a bulldog coffee shop/bar was right near by. Other than the that the hostel itself was fairly far from the train station and the red light district. Although Amsterdam is pretty small so it wasnt too bad to get around. The rooms were rather tiny although all bathrooms were private. Also the circulation seemed to be really bad in our room, it was well over eighty degrees in the room. There's free internet but only one computer. Lastly, the owners definitely dont like smoking in the hostel at all so just smoke your J's before getting back. — Scott (2007-02-24) me and a friend stayed at this hotel june 2005 we found it clean, well looked after, service was friendly and helpful. we would recommend this hostel to anyone without a doubt. — stephenspicer (2006-06-14) The guy at the reception is not so friendly but the girl is good helpful. I got a 6 beds room which is so small without any lockers. Bathroom is clean but really bad design -- as the shower room hasnt got any hook for hanging the clothes, not so user friendly. Breakfast is good as they got HAM!!! HAM!!!!! and bottomless OJ. good quality. — She k, London UK (2006-06-11) I highly recommend the Marnix. I stayed in a twin room with shared facilities. The room was basic but clean and had a wash basin. The bathroom and toilet were both very modern and clean. The location was good - it's within walking distance of the Van Gogh Museum and a tram ride or 20 minute walk to the red light district. — Lisa (2004-10-18)