“It can’t get any worse, but we’ll do our best”. This is one of the famous slogans of the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel: a large budget hostel in the city center of Amsterdam. It was such an inviting slogan that we decided to check it out.

We started at the website of the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel and their site looked quite promising. They even offered some sort of online Q & A with the Hans Brinker website receptionist. However, the Q&A was slightly disappointing, because the receptionist only replied with nasty insults.

Since the hotel claims to be ‘the cheapest, the worst and the best’, we prepared for –well- ‘the cheapest, the worst and the best’….

And in the end I must say, it was ‘the cheapest, the worst and the best’.

Review of the Hans Brinker Hotel

The cheapest

The Hans Brinker is one of the cheapest places to stay in Amsterdam. You pay 25 euro for a bed in a large dormitory. For this 25 euro you get a simple bed with linen, a towel, a locker and a shared shower. You also get free wifi, entrance to the Hans Brinker club, breakfast in the morning, luggage storage and a 24-hour reception.

Hans Brinker Advertorials.
Hans Brinker Advertorials. ©Hans Brinker.

The worst

So, why the worst? Well, the rooms were extremely basic with military bunk beds and metal lockers. They were stuffy and smelly, and there were stains on some of our sheets and towels. It was quite hot at night without a possibility to open the windows. There were many mosquitos flying around and also remains of dead mosquitos on the walls. The beds were creaking and squeaking and the water pressure of the shower could have been better.

Rooms of the Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Bunch of Backpackers
Rooms of the Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Bunch of Backpackers

The best

But then, why is it also the best? Well, the rooms were big and the mattresses comfortable. It was stuffy, but you don’t spend much time in the room anyway. Mosquito bites could simply be avoided with anti-mosquito spray and earplugs solved the creaking-bed issue. The shower pressure was acceptable and the water was hot. A big unexpected plus was the extensive breakfast buffet that included bread, eggs, cheese, ham, pancakes, grilled tomato, tea, (bad) coffee, fruit, yoghurt, crackers etc.  Tea and coffee were fittingly served in ‘Hans Brinker, the worst hotel in the world’ mugs.

Unfortunately, the club was empty during the 2 nights we stayed there, but the happy hour at 5 p.m. (2 for 1) was pretty busy and even involved some rounds of beerpong. Also, the location of the hostel is excellent near public transportation, the Leidseplein and the Museumplein. In the street of the hostel there is a typical Amsterdam coffeeshop, a gaybar called ‘Church’ and a bicycle rental place ‘Mike’s bike’.

Breakfast at the Hans Brinker Hotel in Amsterdam.
Breakfast at the Hans Brinker Hotel in Amsterdam. ©Bunch of Backpackers

Conclusion

So, in conclusion the overall experience in the Hans Brinker hotel was good. It is a fun place that attracts a mixed crowd. However, because of its size it is a bit impersonal and I would not recommend the hostel for solo travellers. For groups it is a good place though. Keep your expectations low, and you will be positively surprised. And despite the mixed reviews of the Hans Brinker hotel on the internet, I reckon most people will appreciate the humor, sarcasm and ruthless honesty that is visible throughout the entire hostel. Another final positive remark is that Hans Brinker is super eco-friendly (please see the highly recommended video below)!

Bar Hans Brinker Hotel.
Bar Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Bunch of Backpackers.

Video about the eco-friendliness of the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel

Information about BoB’s stay in the Hans Brinker Budget hotel

Website: Hans Brinker Budget Hotel
Period: August 2013
Duration: 2 nights
Type of travel company: large group (8p dorm and a 6p dorm)
Price per bed per night: 25 euro
Other useful info: Check-in time is 1 p.m., check-out time is 10 a.m., there is a 5 euro key-deposit. Maximum stay is five nights. Club opens at 22.00.

Advertisment Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Hans Brinker Hotel.
Advertisment Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Hans Brinker Hotel.
Hans Brinker Hotel advertisement. ©Bunch of Backpackers.
Advertisement Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Hans Brinker Hotel.
Advertisement Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Hans Brinker Hotel.
Advertisement Hans Brinker Hotel. ©Hans Brinker Hotel.

Did you enjoy this review of the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel? Let us know!

Recommended further reading
Visit Giethoorn (from Amsterdam), the most beautiful village in the world
Stay in one the best hostels in the world: the King Kong Hostel in Rotterdam
Coolest hostel in The Hague: The Kingkool Hostel

3 COMMENTS

  1. Nice review! I think they’re doing well cashing in on that slogan, it definitely doesn’t sound like the worst hostel in the world. I’d say compared to some budget places we stayed at in Latin America that it’s actually pretty decent. Wifi, lockers and breakfast, that’s luxury :)

  2. I have never been in Western Europe but price 25 euro for bed considered like the cheapest – I am impressed. Now I understand that 15 usd for bed in Singapure is nothing compered with Europe. Yeah, Ukrainian backpacker will be bring to ruin very fast in West Europe if try to sleep in local hostels. Nepal is better – 3-5 usd for single room )

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