Beagle Houseboat

The Beagle Houseboat is a quirky little place that could use an overhaul and a woman's touch, but it's centrally located, private, and a really cool Amsterdam experience. It's a great place to stay if you are traveling in a group of four people.

The Location

The houseboat is located on the water, ten minutes from the train station and within walking distance of the Red Light District, where one can find good restaurants, bars, head shops, and shopping in addition to gawking at the ladies in the red windows. The boat is moored alongside the dock with a great view of the harbor. There is a bike rental place a few blocks from the boat, Amsterdam tour buses stop nearby, and museums and parks are only a bus or bike ride away.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The Beagle accommodates only four people so it is ideal for four persons traveling together. The bedroom is located in the bottom part of the boat, with four low beds, a long space heater, a TV, and a row of lock boxes for personal items. The sheets and blankets are clean. The room has a low ceiling and is cozy and comfortable, although it might be a little weird to share with strangers. The bathroom is located by the front door and consists of a toilet inside of a shower room.

The bathroom is a little scary -- the ceiling is completely rusted and the entire room gets wet during a shower, but the water is hot and one can open the porthole in the wall and look out at the harbor while showering. The sink is located in the entryway and soap is provided. There is also a washing machine although it is not for guest use. There is a laundromat a couple blocks away. Be sure to close the door when using the bathroom as tourists walking by can see in the porthole windows running along one side of the boat.

Common Spaces

The common space is the entire top floor of the boat and is shared with the captain AJ, although he was never there. The common room has two long couches, a hammock, a tiny kitchen with free tea and coffee, and a fridge stocked with goodies. Prices are listed on the door and everything is on the honor system. There are two desks with computers hooked up to fast internet, and bowls full of smoking paraphernalia for guest use. Smoking is allowed. There is also a sitting area on the roof of the houseboat, which consists of a few plastic deck chairs and a couch and chair that have been in the elements so long, nobody would want to sit on them. It is a great place to sit and watch the sunset. The common room downstairs has lots of stuff stacked up along the walls, but there is plenty of room to chill and hang out. The kitchen is a little sketchy and none of us wanted to cook there, but it is nice to have hot water for coffee and tea. There is a great view of the harbor and lots of sunshine comes in through the many windows.

Summary

This hostel is certainly part of the Amsterdam experience. What it lacks in overall cleanliness and organization it makes up for in charm and cool-factor. It's wonderful to have such a big common area all to yourself, as is the stocked fridge and the two computes with fast internet connection. We're not sure if we would stay there again as we like to check out new places each time we visit a city, but we would surely recommend it to anyone for a great first time in Amsterdam.

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