Hostels in Amsterdam
 

I am going to be staying in Amsterdam for 3 nights and I would like some advice on which hostel to stay at. I narrowed it down to 3 choices.

The Flying Pig Downtown
The Bulldog
Hotel Cosmos

Has anyone stayed at one of these places or could recommend one?

I am familiar with all but would not know enough about the interior action, etc but i would refer you to Let's Go Europe - in any library or bookstore for an objective review of each - Let's Go IMO is the very best guidebook source for reviews of hundreds of hostels. All these places you have are party places where folks smoke pot, etc. in the pub - indeed the Bulldog Coffeeshops is the most famous smoking emporiums in Amsterdamned - for a more sedate but still cool place consider the HI (Hostelling International) hostels on Kloveniersburgwal (sp?) by the Univ of Amsterdam or for a more quiet location the huge hostel in Vondel Park - but if non-stop partying is your goal then you have chosen three of the best for that.

At this point ive narrowed it down to either the flying pig or the bulldog. im leaning towards the flying pig cause its the center of everything and i am very sociable so i think that would be a good atmosphere. However im going to want to sleep at some point and am wondering if it might be too ridiculous at this place...not sure how it is in October...maybe its quieter. Anyways based on your experience there, do you think it would be possible to find another place to stay if i dont like it there when i arrive?

Yes - there are literally dozens of private hostels like the ones you have narrowed your choice to and at that time yes you will easily find another one. Again i'd photo copy the page on Amsterdam hostels from Let's Go to have a guide to all of the better ones. There are two locations for Flying Pig - one near the Vondel Park HI hostel and the other, the one i presume you are interested in close to the train station. BTW Vondel Park is a short walk from the Leidesplein, Amsterdam's night life center - the whole area is compact - Vondel Park is a neat and quiet area. (there used to be at least two locations for Flying Pig - not sure now.) If looking for a room there the VVV Tourist Office opposite Centraal Train station will always be able to book a place in a hostel IME

I think you will find the Flying Pig or Bulldog fine - may be a bit loud but unless you are really noise-sensitive after a night of partying many sleep like babies. The Bulldog at least is a very very reputable business - i assume Flying Pig is too but do not know as much as i do about the Bulldog Empire - the Bulldog Palace on the Leidesplein is famous worldwide - not just for the coffeeshop down below (cannabis sold like in any coffeeshop ('koffieshop is a coffee-serving cafe) but the palatial bar up top with its huge video screens and non-stop ambience with a largely college-age crowd.

Cool, thanks for your help buddy. I think im am going with the Flying Pig. Might be pretty crazy over there but I guess thats one of the reasons im taking this trip. Im a big history buff to so im sure I can find a lot to do with my time while im there that doesnt involve the hostel im staying at. Any particular recommendations for museums or other sights that you enjoyed?

I have been spending a few weeks or so in Amsterdamned since 1969 and find it a truly fascinating and yes tolerant city.

With only 3 days i would suggest mainly wandering around the canals, etc - the VVV Tourist Office sells neat on your own walking tours (VVV opposite Central Train Station) and these will fill you in on the city's deep history. The major sights i would say are: The Ann Frank House; the Rijksmuseum; the Van Gogh Museum (more than Van Gogh - contemporary art) and the Red-Light District, which the Mayor of Amsterdamned has vowed to abolish and soon it will be a fragment of what you will find today. For history i suggest checking out the City of Amsterdam museum, right behind the Royal Palace - documents the city's history with interesting exhibits on the 60s and 70s protests and squatters riots, etc. At your age i would also check out the famous Milky Way (Melkweg) and Paradiso - two city-run youth centers that are now on the cutting edge of music concerts and immensely popular with the 20s type crowds - everyone in Holland has heard of these places and many when they were younger spent time in them - both are near the Lesidesplein - also check out Vondel Park - neat walking paths.

Look forward to going, thanks for the info!

Larry - please report back on this thread with your comments about the Flying Pig - i do envy you - i were young once and stayed in lots of similar hostels in Amsterdamned and they were always an adventure! Have a swell trip.

Well just got back a few days ago and I will report on the Flying Pig. I personally had a good experience. Hostel was really cool, bar, pool table, smoking room, kitchen, tv room. Everyone that worked there was really nice. Met a lot of cool people. It was basically like staying in a dorm/frat house in college only better cause there was a bar and smoking room, haha. I stayed in a 12 person room and everyone in there was cool, around the same age..just people backpacking. One night someone came in late and woke everyone up but ya know what that comes with the territory. For 100 euros for 3 nights it was def worth it. Good location and good service. I would stay there again if i go back. As far as cleanliness goes, i had no complaints. Pretty clean as far as I saw.