Hostel 45

The kitchen was the worst part, so dirty. The shower room was cold, and the bed wasn’t very comfortable either. The hostel needs cleaning and some renovation, which is a shame because the building itself is lovely and has the feel of an old Dutch tavern. It’s right on the central square and well connected to Amsterdam Centraal. I can’t really blame the owner for the kitchen mess, though, as it seemed to come from guests. The low rates clearly attract a lot of low-income workers staying long term, and they don’t seem interested in cleaning up after themselves. It could be a beautiful place for a few days.

The location is perfect and the owners are very nice. It does need renovating, and the mixed showers could use more privacy.

We stayed here on holiday with friends and felt very welcome. The host was friendly and helpful, and made an effort to give us a really good stay. He pulled it off! I’d recommend this hostel.

The host is lovely, helpful, and quick to answer on WhatsApp. Even with so many people staying here, it’s fairly quiet, and there are plenty of showers so you don’t have to wait. Guests can use the kitchen downstairs too. Purmerend is a nice enough location, not far from Amsterdam, and public transport works perfectly.