After watching the movie Hostel, I'm sure you crossed that idea off from your list of things to do in Europe. But movies are just movies. I stayed in hostels when I traveled to Amsterdam and Barcelona, and those were two of the best experiences of my semester abroad.
The Bulldog Hotel
In Amsterdam, my travel partner Jac and I spent our eight unforgettable - at times forgettable - days at The Bulldog Hotel, literally two steps away from the infamous red lights, an eight-minute walk from Central Station, and a few canals away from the two famous shopping streets and Madame Toussauds overlooking Dam Square. Falafel and donner kebab stores mark every corner, coffee shops are literally every other shop, and bikes swarm the streets.
The Bulldog is a funky, laid-back hostel. The walls on each floor are lined and decorated with a different theme; Jac was obsessed with the drawing on our floor:
The beds are the most comfortable beds you'll ever sleep in, there are lockers to store your belongings, and there’s 24-hour security at the front desk. And right downstairs it has its very own coffee shop! Brown leather couches, DVDs, pool tables, a bar. It was perfect, and so convenient.
There wasn't much availability for the days we were going, so our room ended up occupying twelve people, with me and Jac being the only two girls. A crazy-looking man in the bunk beds across from us was our first impression. As I stared at his wildly frizzy hair and smelt the herbal aroma surrounding him, I definitely thought to myself, "Oh my God, what the hell were we thinking sharing a room with complete strangers?" But he was harmless, and we spent the rest of the trip rooming with these two awesome Scottish dudes and a bunch of normal college guys. Who knows, maybe Amsterdam had just gotten the best of that wacko. It definitely made our experience all the more memorable.
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The Bulldog Hotel
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 220
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Paraiso Travellers Hostel
In Barcelona, we stayed at the Paraiso Travellers Hostel. I know this is a cliché saying, but Paraiso is truly a home away from home.
Paraiso Travellers Hostel is located in the center of Barcelona. It is run by four multilingual (and adorable!) friends who create an intimate, cozy atmosphere for their guests. The hostel is about a 15-minute walk to the beach, within walking distance to La Rambla, and surrounded by restaurants, bars, and supermarkets-all of the necessities.
Jac and I stayed in a 4-person bedroom with two bunk beds, lockers, a sink and a window overlooking the city. Right outside our room was an adorable colorful communal area with couches, free Internet access, a coffee machine (I was addicted to the lattes-sweet hot milk, yum), magazines and a TV. There was a little balcony with two chairs outside the den area where I would drink my coffee almost every morning.
Paraiso has no curfew and no lock-out policy, so there is no excuse for not exploring Barcelona's brilliant nightlife until the early hours :)
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Paraiso
Ronda de Sant Pau, 55-57 Ppal. 1°
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