The Bee Hostel

My wife and I had a very pleasant stay at The Bee Hostel. It’s quiet and clean, good value for Amsterdam, and well placed near the city center, so getting around is easy. The staff were friendly and helpful. We’d definitely return as a couple.

The person who welcomed us at the front desk made us extremely uncomfortable, and it was a rough start after a full day of travel. We arrived hoping for a good stay because of the reviews and the 2025 “travellers choice” award, but that first interaction really soured it. The other staff members were pretty nice, though. We smiled and said hi to the receptionist, who didn’t answer and just looked tired or angry. There was a large QR code beside her saying to scan it to complete check-in, so we assumed the process was contactless, as we’d seen at other European hostels. We filled out the form, but the page showed a blank screen. When we asked her for help and showed it to her, she snapped, “WHAT PAGE?!?” She then got angrier, waved her arms, and said she was right there, we should have asked her to check us in, and we obviously couldn’t check in ourselves. We were confused and uncomfortable. Only when my partner politely said we wanted to check in did she help us. The process took around 30 minutes, and we didn’t reach our rooms until about 1am. We also had to make our own beds, which we’d never encountered at a hostel and found odd given the price isn’t cheap. I’ve seen their replies to others saying it’s for hygiene reasons. Windows can’t be opened, though there is AC. The rooms were so warm and humid that we woke several times, struggling to sleep and breathe comfortably.

The lobby is a nice place to relax, and the area around the hostel isn’t too busy. The beds are decent, with a small light, charging ports, and rails for clothes and towels, and you get a locker. The toilets and showers are extremely clean. On my first visit, I was new to traveling and hostels and a bit worried, but the setup helped. I came back with a friend and got to know the staff better; they all work to a very high standard. I made a severe lapse in judgment and wasn’t myself. The staff and other hostel guests looked after me for more than three hours while I was going through a very hard time. I can’t recommend this place enough. Victoria and Alina are two of the people who make it so good. Friendly staff are a big part of the experience.

The common area was super cozy, and the reception staff were all friendly and very helpful. I booked a girls’ dorm with more than 12 beds and an en-suite bathroom. It had two baths and three toilets, which could be a bit challenging with so many people, but it was always neat and clean. The place is very well located, about a minute’s walk from the tram stop. A good experience.