King's Inn City Hostel - Hotel Alkmaar - Hostel

The location is right in the town centre, with a supermarket and bars nearby, and for the price that's a big plus. Our room was clean and the staff were friendly. It was quiet at night even with several groups staying there. The rooms are small, as the website says, and ours felt too cramped with a baby, though it's fine for two people. If you want space and comfort, look elsewhere. If you're out most of the day and mainly need a place to sleep, it works really well.

After 21:00, reception closes and there's no one in charge. A guest shouldn't have to take on that role. The reception person later brushed the night off as people drinking too much, though the manager did remove the drunk older man when she arrived. The couple left too, presumably to avoid more police involvement. Earlier, I saw the man refuse to get off a Norwegian woman's bed. Her husband grabbed him by the hair, repeatedly banged his head on the bunk's metal rail, and dragged him around the room. I told his wife the man had special needs and that her husband was committing assault and battery and could be sued or arrested for elder and special needs abuse. That was the only thing that stopped the beating. The same man later went to the bathroom without closing the door, missed the toilet, wet and soiled his pants, took them off, and walked around naked from the waist down. Another guest threatened to beat him up. He was still so drunk that he casually tossed his wet pants onto my bed. I thought that was the end of the night's drama, but a group of teenagers in town for a debating contest were too loud for the husband. He came out, threatened them, and grabbed one by the throat. I called the police, which put an end to it.

The staff were really friendly and helpful, and the room was clean. I also appreciated the bike storage: it was indoors and locked, with a pump, multitool, and other gear available. I was there one night during a bike trip, in a female dorm, and got a great price that included breakfast. The breakfast was so good, probably the best I've had at a hostel, and they accommodated my non-dairy and vegetarian preferences. The place has a lovely atmosphere. I'd highly recommend it.

The location was great, but the service felt pretty lacklustre and the rooms only sort of clean, with minimal effort. At check-in they offered us a welcome cocktail deal. When we tried to claim it around 8:30 that evening, they said they couldn't be bothered and were too tired, and told us to go somewhere else. Fine, but don't offer it at check-in if you close at 9.