FLYING PIG DOWNTOWN, Amsterdam

Located on the pedestrianised Nieuwendijk shopping street, the hostel is a 3-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station, providing direct train links to Schiphol Airport (20 minutes) and tram connections to Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein, Museumplein. Dam Square is 5 minutes away, and the Anne Frank House is a 14-minute walk. The immediate area is packed with shops, cafes, and restaurants, with at least eight eateries within 300 metres. The central location means most major attractions are within walking distance, though the busy street can be noisy, especially for lower-floor rooms facing the front. For car-free city exploration, the hostel is an ideal base.

Dormitory rooms feature bunk beds with a personal locker under each bed (requires padlock), a reading light, and a power socket. Room sizes range from compact 4-bed dorms to 32-bed spaces. Some dorms include a private en-suite shower and toilet; others have shared bathroom facilities located in the corridor. A 6-bed female dorm is available. Private double rooms (15-24 m2) come with a double bed, en-suite bathroom, flat-screen TV with streaming services, tea/coffee facilities, mini-fridge, personal safe, and towels/shampoo. Air conditioning is available in private rooms and in some larger dorms (12, 14, 16, 18, and 32-bed) but not all; request it during booking if needed. Bunk beds are narrow and lack privacy curtains; the metal lockers under the beds are spacious but very noisy to open and close. Rooms on upper floors are quieter, though the building has a lift. Lower-floor rooms may feel cramped and have limited natural light.

Breakfast is served daily in the basement and includes bread, pastries, spreads, cheese, and hot drinks. A toastie maker is available for cheese toasties. The breakfast area has no windows or ventilation, so it can feel cave-like. For other meals, the hostel has a bar with a snack bar and a vending machine for snacks, plus a shared kitchen open from noon to midnight for guests to prepare their own food. Many cafes and restaurants are within a short walk if you prefer eating out. Breakfast can be pre-booked during reservation or added at check-in.

The bar is the social hub, open late (often until 3 am) and offering happy hour deals and a range of drinks. Daily activities include free events like pool tournaments, karaoke, beer pong, live sport broadcasts, walking tours, and pub crawls (some for a fee). There is a free pool table, board games, and a shared lounge/TV area where Netflix is available. A 24/7 indoor cannabis smoking room is available, plus an outdoor balcony for tobacco/vaping (open until 10 pm). The hostel does not have a swimming pool, spa, or fitness centre.

The hostel provides free Wi-Fi throughout the building. A shared kitchen is open from noon to midnight with cooking basics and fridge space. Paid electronic lockers for luggage storage come in three sizes and are available until 8 pm on check-out day. A free safety deposit box at reception is available for small valuables. Additional services include a 24-hour reception for late arrivals, key card access, CCTV in common areas, and a lift to upper floors. Pets are not allowed. No airport shuttle is provided. The 24-hour front desk can assist with booking upgrades, storing bags before check-in, and arranging group bookings in the same room (subject to availability).