Finding accommodation in Amsterdam was no exception. At first I was looking for a cheap place within the city center. Location is always important particularly if you are on a short trip and want to maximize your stay. I looked at Hostel World and Tripadvisor for some hostel listings. Although I saw a lot of reasonably priced hostels, there was one that caught my attention. The hostel's name is Lucky Lake Hostel. A hostel with a lake? Who could resist that?! The only catch is, it is 30 minutes away from the center of Amsterdam. It is located in Vinkeveen, a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht, 18 km south of Amsterdam. I almost passed booking this hostel but after reading all the reviews, I knew that this was just the place I was looking for.
Here are Lucky Lake Hostel's ratings in different websites (based on past guests' reviews)
www.hostelworld.com = 91%
www.tripadvisor.com = Certificate of Excellence
google reviews: 4.9 out 5 ratings
www.hostels.com = 92%
www.booking.com = 9.1 out of 10 ratings
To see the competitive prices between all these booking portals check out www.Hotelscombined.ae
I found that, although a little far from the city center, it would still be fairly accessible - just one metro ride away. I was sure I could overlook the distance when I would gain a quiet and relaxing place to stay.
After landing at Schiphol Airport, my journey to the hostel was simple. Firstly, I purchased a 3-day unlimited transport card which covers the trains to and from the airport, the metro, trams and some ferries (more of this in my upcoming blog on what I did in Amsterdam). Arriving at Holendrecht Station, the pick-up place for the hostel shuttle could easily be found. I saw other guests waiting for the shuttle as well (yey - instant friends!).
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Shuttle service pick up at Holendrecht Station[/caption][caption id="attachment_3357" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
greens and cattle . Starting to look promising.[/caption][caption id="attachment_3306" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Hotel Reception Area[/caption]As we drove further and further away from Amsterdam, it became clear to me I had made a good decision in choosing this hostel: from a backdrop of buildings and town houses the scenes gradually transformed into grassland and cattle.
Eventually we arrived at our hostel and the first think I saw was a cute cluster of brightly coloured trailers beside a very funky-looking reception area. As I received my welcome kit (yes they have a welcome kit!) I knew that this place would be different from any other places I have stayed in.
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Aside from free wifi, there is also a lounge where you can get connected to the web world.[/caption][caption id="attachment_3308" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
The very cool welcome area with a small shop where you can get some last minute souvenirs[/caption][caption id="attachment_3330" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
My full hostel kit! Cute right/[/caption][caption id="attachment_3337" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Colorful trailer rooms[/caption][caption id="attachment_3310" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Some are too artistic[/caption][caption id="attachment_3339" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
While some are just chilled[/caption][caption id="attachment_3311" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
...and playful[/caption]Even though there were several trailer dorms on offer, I was given a cottage-style room. At first I was a little bit disappointed. I wanted a trailer room! But as soon as I saw how cute the interiors of our little cottage were, I stopped complaining to myself.
Our room was very clean (considering it was a hostel – and 2 beds were already occupied). It was very spacious, with plenty of room for all our stuff, even if we placed all our luggage on the floor (hahaha – those who stayed in hostels know this very well).
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Cabins for sharing[/caption][caption id="attachment_3335" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Our cabin![/caption][caption id="attachment_3327" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
The interiors are way tooooooo cute[/caption][caption id="attachment_3329" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
My bed! #1[/caption][caption id="attachment_3332" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Feeling like I am in a capsule bed[/caption][caption id="attachment_3331" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
So the owner is a wild hunter[/caption][caption id="attachment_3320" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
I told myslelf to hunt down this lamp --- I suspected IKEA but didn't find any here in Dubai[/caption][caption id="attachment_3334" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
My future chandelier[/caption]There was also a study table which you could use as a dining table (but I recommend you to eat outside). The beds were pristine and very comfortable. I love that you are expected to put the covers on your own duvet and pillow cases: I have had the same experience in hostels in Denmark and Germany, and it makes everything feel cleaner. It was comforting to know that each guest was given their own locker and ....wait for it ..wait for it .....you don't need to bring/buy your own lock as the hostel provides one.
All showers and vanity are communal and mixed. Even though the hostel was full, there was never a line for the shower (or maybe I just always managed to take a shower earlier than the rest of the guests).
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Common wash area[/caption][caption id="attachment_3313" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
yheap in Netherlands they take a bath using flowers[/caption]The hostel is organized to feel like a small community of campers instead of being a hostel. Because of this, there are a lot of common areas for all the guests to mingle and sit down together. There is the breakfast bus, the barbecue and kitchen area and also several tables around the grass areas.
The hostel offers free breakfast for all their guests. Aside from the usual cereal, toast+nutella+butter and preserves, they also offer DIY pancakes and poffertjest (mini pancakes). Yheap, the Dutch love their pancakes. I love that most of the hostels offer free breakfast because I often get stuffed in the morning and skip lunch hahaha --- YEY for saving some Euros for museum entrance fees!
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The kitchen and bbq area[/caption][caption id="attachment_3338" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
...and the Breakfast Bus[/caption][caption id="attachment_3336" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Perfect for a good start of the day[/caption][caption id="attachment_3322" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
...you can also eat inside[/caption][caption id="attachment_3324" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
UNLIMITED NUTELLA!!--- DONE![/caption][caption id="attachment_3323" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
DIY Pancakes ala Dutch[/caption]I loved that Lucky Lake was away from the city but not too much. You can easily visit the center of Amsterdam, with their shuttle service running every 30 mins during the day) while also being able to enjoy being in the countryside. So my first impressions of the Netherlands were views of a refreshing lake and a quiet community with beautiful, cute houses along a series of interconnecting canals.
During check-in, I was given a map with with my welcome kit that showed all nearby villages which can be accessed by bikes. Of course, I won’t pass on any opportunity to hop on a bicycle, so after dropping my luggage inside our room I immediately rented a bike (for 1.50 Euro/hour) and ended up biking around for about 3 hours ( they charged me only for 2 hours – yey!). Aside from going around the lake and getting lost around the villages, I was able to buy some groceries which would become my very first dinner in the Netherlands.
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My steed for the day. Mr. Blue Steal![/caption][caption id="attachment_3326" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Luvin the view and the fresh air around the hostel[/caption][caption id="attachment_3321" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
The near by lake where you can reach from the few minutes walk or bike in just a quick zoooooom[/caption][caption id="attachment_3317" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
@TheTravelingJournalProject ---- of course[/caption][caption id="attachment_3316" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Can't believe that there are people who actually live like this --- MY LIFE PEG![/caption]My favorite part of staying in any hostel is the people that I meet, so aside from enjoying the view and all the amenities that Lucky Lake Hostel offers to its guests, I was delighted over dinner to be able to meet two American ladies and two Swedes with whom I got to discuss taxes and social welfare systems around the world (whew heavy I know). Most of all, I enjoyed getting to know my two Scottish roommates, who were visiting the Netherlands on their way to France. The staff members were also very friendly, most of them being travelers as well who had applied to help out in the hostel for a summer job and maybe free lodging.
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The best bit of my stay in Amsterdam is to meet some new friends. Here are my ultra young Scottish roommates Sean and Lottie[/caption]I really enjoyed my stay here. Although I wasn't able to maximize the lake (kayaking, swimming..etc because it was too cold for me and when the sun was out I was touring around the city center), it was a completely different environment from Amsterdam. After a busy and crazy day strolling around Amsterdam, it is a perfect place to relax and cap your awesome day in the Netherlands. Now I know why everyone is raving about this place. Now its time for you to try it yourself.
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