Antwerp City Hostel

The location puts the city life right outside your windows. I also liked the lounge games and meeting different people in the group rooms. Breakfast was so good that we kept pouring ourselves fresh coffee every morning, and the fully equipped kitchen is there if you’re ready to make a five-star meal.

I’ve stayed in many hostels while travelling, and this was easily my worst experience, even for just one night. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re on your own, especially if you’re young or not used to travelling. The building felt run-down and eerie, and the cleanliness was well below an acceptable standard. The showers felt more like a prison than somewhere for travellers, and my room smelled strongly of urine and sweat. There seemed to be people living there long term, which changed the atmosphere, and I often felt watched and unsafe. I’d had higher hopes because of the location and online photos.

What an awesome place. If heaven exists, it looks exactly like ach. The rooms are clean and the other guests are really friendly, even the snoring dinosaur man. There are lockers, but I didn’t need one because the only thing they stole from me was my heart. I loved the apwel (anti people with epilepsy light) in the bad room. I’m really scared of people with epilepsy, so the flickering lights in the showers made me feel safe. The staff are very friendly and very attractive, see fotos. I think I even got a crush! Ps go get the warm chocolate.

The location was convenient, but the stay was uncomfortable enough that I wouldn’t choose this place again. On arrival, the access code we’d been sent didn’t let us into the building at first, though the issue was eventually sorted out. Staff were generally polite and friendly, although we saw one impatient comment directed at other guests at checkout. It didn’t involve us. The place smelled unpleasant, especially in the hallways, and the toilets were sometimes very dirty. The basement common area looked neglected, with old, mismatched furniture. Beds and mattresses felt worn and unstable, and some bunks had no safety rails. The listing photos showed there were no bed curtains, so that wasn’t a surprise, but it still made things less comfortable. Shower lights flickered, the lockers didn’t feel very secure, and the interior could use some fairly minor improvements. Breakfast was very limited. Once, while breakfast time was still underway, we arrived to find only a few slices of toast left. Common areas were often occupied all day by the same group of older men, and some guests kept trying to start conversations, which felt uncomfortable at times. A few people seemed possibly under the influence, but that’s only my impression, and I can’t say for sure. After we got home, I noticed several red marks that looked like bites. I can’t be certain where they came from. Other guests had mentioned similar issues, and given the hygiene I saw, the accommodation could have been a factor. If your budget allows, I’d spend a little more somewhere else. For us, the good location didn’t make up for the rest.