HI - Stayokay Haarlem Hostel

Location

Forget taking buses from the center of Haarlem, buy your train ticket for Santpoort Zuid instead. Walk to the southern end of the station, cross the tracks the first chance you get (Wustelaan), and immediately turn right and follow the tracks on the other side along Jan Gijzenvaart. After a block it changes names to Schoterkerkpad and passes a polder canal on the left (pictured). It now becomes a footpath across the polder which follows alongside the canal. As soon as you pass under the N208, the hostel will be on the right, right along the Jan Gijzenvaart canal.

Amenities

This is a clean hostel, as is the case with most HI-affiliated hostels in northern Europe. Although the rooms often have 6 beds and the showers are dormitory-style with access from the hall, the whole layout of the place still gives it a family motel type of feel. Decent meals are available in the cafeteria, make sure to request a meal ticket in advance to ensure being served. Breakfasts, as in neighboring Germany, should not disappoint those who wish to get a good hearty start to the day, with a wide variety of cereals, fruits, breads, cheese, cold cuts, juice, dairy and coffee all available.

Atmosphere

In sharp contrast to the notoriously wild hostels in central Amsterdam, this hostel is possibly one of the most family-oriented ones you'll ever stay at. The best part is you're just a 15-minute train ride from Amsterdam itself! The staff here are friendly and stay in contact with the other hostels in the StayOkay network, allowing you to change reservations or learn of availability before moving on if you haven't planned your trip in great detail.

Attractions

Amidst all the attention given to Amsterdam, Haarlem winds up being given short shrift most of the time. While Amsterdam is certainly worth the time, so is Haarlem and surroundings. For beach and bird-lovers, the Zuid-Kennemerland is just a few miles towards the coast from the hostel, with miles of walking paths along the dunes. Central Haarlem also boasts some fine historic areas, such as the Bavokerk and its surrounding plaza (pictured), the Franz Hals Museum, and the Amsterdam Gate. And if you're visiting in the spring, the famous tulips of the Keukenhof Gardens are about 12 miles to the south on N208. And if you haven't got the time to make it to Keukenhof, there are always flower markets (also pictured) within town, too. And of course, Amsterdam itself is just a few minutes away by train.

Price

This hostel was priced a bit higher than some of the neighboring countries, especially France, but this is probably more a matter of cost of living versus anything else. It definitely beats other options around here.

Overall Value

For the family or solo traveler wishing to visit Amsterdam and surroundings without having to sleep in or near the Red Light District, this hostel is most definitely a budget option worth exploring!

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
May 2008