Hostels in Amsterdam/Paris? Good or Bad? How do they work?
 

Dear All,

Me and my husband are planning a europe trip in mid may. We are planning 2 nights in Amsterdam, 3 nights in Paris and 4 nights in French Riviera and 7 nights in Italy(probably 2 in venice and rest in Rome). We will be travelling from US, and will be trying to travel light, but would still have 1 stroller bag each.

We were thinking, that may be we can stay in hostels in Amsterdam and Paris. I wanted to know if staying in hostel is a good option or not? If yes, then do the hostels have some place to keep your luggage safely, while you are exploring the place? Or would you just have to leave the bags unattended in the hostel? This is our first trip to Europe, and will be first time trying a hostel too.

If you know of any good hostels in Amsterdam and Paris, please let me know.

Thanks!

Have a look at http://www.stayokay.com/?language=en, which is part of HI for hostels in Amsterdam and their facilities.

Hostels book up fast, and may not be that much cheaper than some hotels.

Don't stay i a hostel in Amsterdam! For about the same price you can stay in a 4 star hotel! Go to http://www.tripadvisor.com and look for the Netherlands forum.
Look for the threads called "Bidding on a 4 star in the center..." and "Bidding on a 5 star...". Using Priceline's Name Your Own Price you can get a hotel for between 75 and 100 US dollars... a much better bet than a hostel.

Check also http://www.betterbidding.com for more info on NYOP.

Hostels typically have a locker where you can lock up your (minimal) luggage. Generally you rent by the bed in a dorm room with 6 to 12 people. If you want a private room (some have them) in a hostel - it likely won't be less expensive than a modest hotel.

And, many of them are party houses - with a lot of booze and possible drugs.

StayOkay hostels are family oriented, and definitely no booze or drugs. These are not just some backpacker hostel, but part of Hostels International, just as the YHA in the UK is.

I did point out that you may get a hotel for less.

Thanks. This is really helpful. Looks like all of you are right, the hostels - specially the private rooms are not really that cheap.

ParisAmsterdam - I was looking at the forum you mentioned on tripadvisor, one thing, I dont understand is while biding for 4 star which of the following will ensure, I am close to the city center and the majority of the attractions?
1 City Centre South
2 City Centre and Museum Quarter
3 North
4 Schiphol Airport

Thanks all. Really appreciate all the help.

Regarding the bidding;

1 is probably 'Oud Zuid', a nice (mostly residential) neighbourhood, about 10 min by tram from the 'real' city center. Nice area to stay in, close to the museums. Lot of the more upscale hotels (Hilton, Wyndham, Bilderberg).

If the description for 2 is correct, this will be in the center and/or near Museumplein. The latter is located near 'Oud Zuid' and can be as much as 10-15 min by tram from the 'real' city center.

3 is less likely to be near the city center, 4 is the airport.

Thus; choose 1 or 2!

Almost impossible to go wrong with choice number 2 ... City Center/Museum Quarter. That's where I'd bid. Here's a link to a map of Priceline's areas:

http://tinyurl.com/64z287v

Don't be shy to ask questions over at TA... the chap who started the thread, MrJohnMD, is very knowledgeable on the ins and out of Priceline in Amsterdam as are others of the regulars there.

BTW... Priceline can also work for Paris but the deals are not as great and the hotels can sometimes be a bit more off the beaten track than you might like. Still... if the price is right an extra few minutes a day on the metro is no big deal.

For Paris I prefer http://www.hotwire.com Using betterbidding.com you can almost always figure out which hotel you'll be bidding on...

Good luck!

Rob

Check out www.airbnb.com...GREAT apartments to rent for a better price. I am going to Amsterdam with my boyfriend in May and found that it was cheaper to do that than pay for a double room in a lot of hostels!

Thanks ParisAmsterdam and TommieG for the selection. I'll select the second option. Trip advisor suggested the same.

Yonkers79 - Thanks. I'll check out airbnb. How do know where are these apartments are located? How to locate a place thats close to all the attractions? Thanks..