The Golden Stork - Hostel

The place felt awful to stay in. The floor and bed linen were dirty, and there was a cannabis smell everywhere. The room was tiny and nothing like the photos. There were only three dirty toilets for 50 people, and hardly any pressure from the three showers. The bathroom felt like a tent campsite. The woman at the desk charged us €10 for a key deposit without asking, and we never got it back. I've never felt so badly treated in a hostel. I feel sad for them, but everyone deserves respect. We're not animals.

The staff were friendly, but the rest was rough. My sheets smelled like vomit, and some of my things were stolen. The doors meant to secure belongings were broken, so they weren't safe. The walls were thin enough that I could hear the tram starting at 6 am.

I left the room in good shape with no damage, but the €20 deposit I paid at check-in for potential damage still hasn't been returned. I've tried reaching Hostel The Golden Stork by email at info@thegoldenstork.com and by phone at +31 70 415 89 59, without getting a useful reply or resolution. I found the handling of the deposit unprofessional and below basic customer service standards. Future guests should be cautious about these charges.

The staff were nice, but there wasn't much else to like. The hostel seemed old and somewhat dirty. My female dorm was hot, stuffy and smelly because it had no window, and most of the people sharing it seemed to live there, with their belongings all over the place. The showers barely worked, with only a little water coming out.