Having had security buzz us through the glass doors, the first thing that struck me about the hostel was its likeliness to a teen sorority house. Pyjama-clad girls were lounging on the sofas tapping away on Macbooks and wrapped up in blankets sipping coffee, with latin music playing on the speaker by the massive Bluray collection. If this were a high-class hotel they’d label it boutique and add three £0s to the price tag. Fine art was strung up and down the hallways, each piece designed by a local artist. This was a chic, style-strewn hostel without pretension.
HOSTELLE: A HOSTEL FOR BEGINNERS
I’m not going to lie to you, when I book accommodation away I always un-tick the little box labeled “hostel”. I’ve always thought, why would I want to share a room with 20 complete strangers in a dusty room where my possessions go walkabout in the night, and I’m woken by rustling sheets and moans from the neighbouring bed? However, finding myself having booked a last-minute trip to Amsterdam to realise that there were no lovely cushy hotels to bed down in, I was met with the strained reality that I was going to finally face a hostel. Honestly, I miss it already.
“If you want to get up at 3am to cook scrambled eggs in the [extremely well equipped, well designed] kitchen, then go ahead – just don’t use all the spices.” I’m sure I just stared back at the guy behind the reception desk, a look of utter confusion on my face. Crossing over into this shiny new world of hostels where you’re enveloped into a homely little community, being offered leftover food from someone’s cook or getting asked to flick the kettle on, you’re constantly reminded that this isn’t hotel territory anymore, homeboy. Holland in Winter is bordering on unbearably cold, but the atmosphere is very much warm.
A COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY
It’s an entirely new attitude to which confronts you in most city life, let me tell you. Faced with free pasta, care products, a book and clothes exchange, and hospitality matched by no other, it’s hard not to fall in love with life at Hostelle. The people are all lovely, and the surprise of which random thick accent will greet you at the door is a delightful little novelty.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE CONCEPT OF HOSTELS
Despite being skeptical before, this female-only hostel was probably the best introduction I could have had to hostel life. We spent our evenings curled upon the blanket-laden sofa, drinking free green tea and reading and painting to the hum of Spanish music and distant voices uttering languages we couldn’t name, or chatting to each other in lamplight, ushering forward tales of old towns and new places to jot down on bucket lists. Located in a safe neighbourhood only a train ride from the heart of the hustle and bustle of the city, even the area couldn’t have been more perfect. A morning commute filled with Cinnabon stores and markets – what more could you want?
The perfect place to sit back and chill after a busy day in the city centre, Hostelle, it’s been aangenaam.
Have you guys ever stayed in a hostel that made you fall back in love with the travel community? Let me know in the comments below!
I’d never considered staying in a hostel before but it sounds such a lovely experience! I think when travelling, we often go lengths to keep ourselves to ourselves, when we could enhance the experience by sharing it with others and meeting new people 😀 adore your snaps! xx
It’s been so much fun seeing your love for travel growing more and more since starting to read your blog! Female-only hostels sound like the way to go for beginners, for sure, and I love your burgundy/red look here – very stylish!
Such lovely interior design.
It is pretty chic hostel.
I wanted to stay in a hostel when I went to Amsterdam because I heard they were really good and your pictures prove it! Sadly, they are almost as expensive as some Air B&B places and also really popular!
Katie xx
I haven’t stayed in a hostel but this one looks so chic! Xx
What a lovely place Hostelle is! The decor is so cheerful. How nice to know that the staff and the general vibe is so friendly and hospitable.
You look so cute in that red outfit!
I do want to visit Holland, I’m sure this country has lot to offer. Amsterdam was recommended to me by so many people.
I must admit that I have some prejudice against hostels, but you sure made me see that I was wrong. I was actually willing to give hostels a try, but my husband wasn’t enthusiastic about idea at all. Now, I have to prove to him how wrong he was.
I think my brother used to stay in hostels with his gang and they always had a great time!
Definitely one of my favorite cities! Love this post!
Lovely photos and great post! 🙂
April xx
It´s great you had such a nice experience with this hostel. On the pictures, it looks very cool.
XO
Daria
I have stayed in hostels before, but usually in some that offer an upgrade so you can get the 4 person bedroom just for the two. A little more expensive, but less strangers doing strange things in the bed beside you. I never tried all-female though.
Wonderful post and photos:)
Have a nice day!
Hostelle looks like a lovely place to stay in:) I’ve never stayed in a hostel, even before I had kids just coz I didn’t like sharing rooms with strangers, but I wouldn’t mind a place like this.:)
So happy you had a great experience at your first Hostel stay!! I always have so much fun in hostels, love that community spirit they have! That hostel looks so pretty and I love the design!
Hope you are having a great week!
Andrea.
¡¡Hola Amy!! Nunca he sido muy amante de los hostales, pero vamos, es que este no tiene nada que ver con los hostales que yo conozco. Sólo de chicas y parece muy limpio, me gusta. Además, esos azulejos de la cocina me han encantado, me vendrían ideal para mis fondos para las fotos de las recetas que subo al blog, ja, ja.
Es un placer siempre viajar contigo, descubro siempre algo nuevo. Besitos.
This looks great actually, a lot better than some I’ve seen! I’ve only stayed in one when I was a teenager and it was ok. But, I’d definitely think on doing it again :)) Thanks for popping by my blog doll, hope you have a great week 🙂 x
I’ve never stayed at a hostel – I can’t even think any in my area.
Hostelle definitely looks much better than the hostels I remember staying at when I traveled through Europe during college. That kitchen is especially nice! Glad to hear this worked so well for you Amy!
First of all the interior of the hostel looks amazing! It doesn’t look like a hostel at all. Maybe more of a dainty hotel! haha glad you enjoyed your first hostel experience. It’s definitely a great add – on to a travel experience.
Thanks a lot for this post:D ohmygoodness this seems like such a cool place to visit. perfect!!!
Ths just looks so awesome! I love hostels so much because of my wonderful experience in the last countries i vsited. Cool post!