HI - Antwerpen - Op Sinjoorke Hostel

HI - Antwerpen - Op Sinjoorke Hostel is located at Provinciestraat 256, Antwerpen, Belgium. The hostel is set within an exciting ethnic neighborhood nearby the central train station (diamond district, zoo) within a fifteen-minute walk or a quick city tram ride. The place is located along major rail transit lines and the hostel reception can set travelers up with a bus pass (one pays the reception for a ticket and refunds any unused portion). Around the hostel, there are a variety of shops (that are less glitzy than downtown Antwerpen) where one may find Middle Eastern pastries and kebabs, tailors, family grocers and delicatessens, retail stores for fabrics or recycled clothes, and hardware. In addition, there is at least one establishment where you can buy a pint and play some billiards.

The reception staff at the hostel are well informed and helpful, local, and very friendly -- the language barrier seems to be no difficulty as the staff is fluent in English, French, and other languages and informative signs are posted in four different language translations. The hostel facilities include a common room that is open twenty-four hours -- here, one can find tables and seating; a modest collection of books, a television, food, and beverage vending; and loads of good information in the form of brochures, city maps, and even information about backpacking in other parts of the world. In addition, the common room provides a fixed terminal computer complete with internet phone and webcam, as well as wireless internet access at very reasonable rates. There is no curfew or lockout at the hostel, but the reception is unavailable from midnight until 8 a.m.

Backpackers under twenty-six years will find the hostel a most excellent highlight for the price, which includes bed linens, towels, generously sized security locker, and a gracious breakfast. Breakfast is truly a treat as it includes cereals, milk, juice, breads, eggs, sliced meat and cheese, condiments, cookies, and coffee and tea. Additional perks of the hostel include baggage storage and telephones (the rooms are equipped to accept and connect incoming calls and there is also an indoor private payphone booth) and, of course, cleanliness.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
March 2007