Home Hostel Reviews REVIEW: Hostel ROOM Rotterdam
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REVIEW: Hostel ROOM Rotterdam

by Katie Dawes

Hostel ROOM Rotterdam Review Contents:

Atmosphere | Staff | Room(s) | Facilities | Location | Price

After staying with friends on previous trips to Rotterdam, it was finally time to test out one of their city’s hostels. So I was really excited to plan a few days with Hostel ROOM Rotterdam! Especially after previously hearing such great things about the hostels from friends.

Well… Hostel ROOM Rotterdam didn’t disappoint!

Edit 12th June 2017: Hostel ROOM Rotterdam underwent a renovation in 2017 and so I have revisited the property and replaced photos of the common areas to reflect the new interior design. All room photos remain true to the property.

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Hostel ROOM Rotterdam Review

The Atmosphere

After a long trip to Rotterdam, I was desperately in need of a cold beer after my arrival.

Luckily, Hostel ROOM Rotterdam has its own bar that’s open to the public, not just hostel guests. After a great hour chatting away with the reception and bar staff, locals who were friends of some of the hostel staff came flowing through the front door and within another ten minutes, the place was buzzing!

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If clinking beers and playing traditional Dutch table games with the locals isn’t your thing, there are cosy seating areas dotted all across the common area.

Large comfortable sofas framed by large bright windows make Hostel ROOM the perfect place to curl up with a book, or relax with friends whilst planning your itinerary to explore Rotterdam!

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Just watch out that you don’t sit on the dog’s big pink bed! Lexie is one of the sweetest and well-tempered dogs I’ve ever met and adds heaps to the family atmosphere in the building…

Edit: in August 2016, Lexie, unfortunately, passed away. She was one of the gentlest and cuddly hostel dogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Lexie left an impression on everyone who was lucky enough to stay at Hostel ROOM Rotterdam while she was there, and she’s been missed every time I return!

Thanks for the love Lexie x

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The Staff

Okay, where the hell do I start?

Always chatty and with big smiles even when they were cleaning, the staff at Hostel ROOM Rotterdam were always more than willing to help out when I had any important questions (like where to find the coffee in the morning!).

Even though I didn’t have too much time to sightsee, one of the girls offered to give me a tour of the map so I would know what to see when I return to the city!

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Edit 12th June 2017: Since I first wrote this review back in February 2015, I have returned to Hostel ROOM Rotterdam over and again. While this has a lot to do with how much I love Rotterdam, and the awesome room designs (see below), the main reason I return is because of the incredible team that run this hostel.

From Mirjam & Monique who dreamed up the whole concept and made it possible, to Pablo with his fantastic Spotify playlists and lunch suggestions, Annick who first welcomed me (and still pops in for a drink even though she’s left the hostel), Samuli who saw how shattered I was on my last visit and welcomed me with a much needed jenever shot and bear hug, Shirley with her beaming smile, Lorena my incredible matchmaker, Sol who can effortlessly keep the guys in check, Angela who taught me how to play Sjoelbak, Seb who puts up with me when I won’t leave the bar all night, and all the incredible interns who I’ve met over the last two years!

The Room(s)

After seeing a few of the rooms at the hostel it became clear why the hostel is called Hostel ROOM Rotterdam. The oldest hostel in the city, the owners allowed in local friends and artists at the very start to design each room in their own way.

The results of this unique way of interior design are incredible!

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Above is one of the quirkiest rooms. The Art Room is creatively inspiring with plenty of natural light and complimentary colours. There are even items hanging from the ceiling, just to give a true hipster vibe!

The room below is probably my favourite though. The Boardroom retains the original elegance of its previous use before the hostel became Hostel ROOM, despite being one of the largest.

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And if you’re visiting for a romantic weekend away, Hostel ROOM even provides a private “Love” room complete with a double bed that is available for as little as €60 if you’re lucky!

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Edit 12th June 2017: Fancy you’re own stunning attic apartment?!

In 2017 Hostel ROOM Rotterdam renovated their staff apartment on the very top floor of the building. And now it’s a beautifully chic self-contained room, complete with shower and kitchenette, for those of you really looking for luxury!

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Facilities

Each bunk-bed in Hostel ROOM Rotterdam came equipped with under-bunk luggage storage which is possible to lock if you carry your own padlock with you. There is also no need to worry if you arrive before check-in as there is a free luggage storage room which is kept locked at all times.

None of the rooms I saw had en-suite washing facilities, but there are more than enough male and female bathrooms on each floor. The showers were adequate and always warm, with enough space that there is room to change without getting your clothes wet.

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Each morning the hostel lays out a great breakfast spread.

There is a choice of cereals and bread to toast, as well plenty of jars of marmalades and the traditional Dutch sugar sprinkles if you have a sweet enough tooth to give them a go! Breakfast is included in the price.

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In terms of activities, I, unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to explore recommended city treats offered by the hostel at discount prices, but there seemed to be plenty on offer.

I was really gutted to have just missed a recent open mic night a few days before my arrival, but I did get to try the incredibly sweet Dutch treats that are offered on Monday nights!

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And if you’re skilled in the kitchen, the hostel provides a great kitchen space in the basement for all guests to have free use of…

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The Location

Hostel ROOM may not be the closest to the Centraal Station or the main shopping areas, but it is in a beautiful area. Just outside there is a gorgeous dock for classic sailing boats and nearby are two huge parks that will be even more beautiful when spring finally arrives!

Just a 10-minute walk from Hostel Room you also have Witte de Withstraat, a really funky street that is great for bars and restaurants that comes highly recommended by my friends in Rotterdam.

The walk from Centraal Station is around 25 minutes, which is nothing during the day unless you are carrying very heavy backpacks. If that’s the case, then there is a tram line that stops just around the corner from the hostel.

The trams in Rotterdam are very simple to use, and I would highly recommend them over the metro if you aren’t a fan of walking around the city. The closest tram stop is Westerstraat which you can find at the bottom of line seven on this tram map. Or you can click here for a simple map of the Rotterdam metro and get off at metro Leuvehaven on line D.

Just to show how easy the tram journey is from Centraal to the hostel… here is the fabulous Lexie showing you how it’s done!

The Price

A bed in a dorm-room at Hostel ROOM varies from around €16 to €24 depending on the size of the room. These prices are the average for The Netherlands, which has never been known to offer truly budget accommodation. They’re also far cheaper than any price you will find for a hotel room in Rotterdam, whilst still reflecting good quality beds, breakfast, and service.

As always I would suggest booking directly with the hostel through their website.

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Despite having to be in Amsterdam for business throughout my stay, I chose to spend my nights at Hostel ROOM Rotterdam after hearing such great things about its history and design and I’m glad I did.

I was provided with a two-night stay courtesy of Hostel ROOM Rotterdam but as always all thoughts and opinions are my own!

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