The White Tulip Hostel

The location is the one thing this hostel has going for it. Otherwise, I couldn't see the value for the price. Towels and lockers cost extra, the internet barely worked, and the rooms were so cramped there was hardly room to turn around or put belongings away. What made the stay unacceptable was the lack of order: people came in drunk or high during the night, yelling and vomiting in the rooms, with nobody stepping in. I've stayed in plenty of hostels, and this was simply a mess.

I could get around the city on foot really easily from here. The main sights and everything else I needed were just a short walk away, and the neighborhood felt lively and convenient. Had a great stay and would come back.

I couldn't get a satisfactory answer about the pre-authorization, even after offering to pay the whole booking upfront. I tried as many as four different credit cards, and two Booking agents got involved directly, but the property still didn't resolve it. The way they seemed unwilling to work through any of the options left me seriously concerned about their intentions. It made me wonder whether there was some underlying interest in pushing me to cancel the reservation.

The stairs between the first and second floors felt a little dangerous. A handrail there would be a good idea. Cleanliness was more than okay.