Oudezijds Voorburgwal 3, Amsterdam, Netherlands | (888) 989-6591
Downtown Amsterdam location, by canals and Red Light District
Dorms with free towels sleep four to 20 people
Private Rooms have en-suite bathrooms for up to four
Popular sports bar with twice-daily happy hours and party atmosphere
Discounted bar food, plus snacks and meals available
Smoking room with games, and a summer canal-side terrace
24/7 reception, secure entry, and lockers in hallways
Free Wi-Fi in the lobby and bar only
Basic rooms lack TVs, AC, Wi-Fi, kettles, or fridges
Reports of bed bugs
Staff receive consistently poor reviews for service and attitude
Dorm bunk beds have no ladders, and electric sockets are limited
No guest kitchen, laundry facilities, or elevators
The Hotel The Globe offers 20 budget private or shared rooms in Amsterdam's center near scenic canals and the city's notorious Red Light District, making the location great for party-minded travelers. A vibrant sports bar with meals and happy hours is open until the early hours, but that's it in terms of amenities. The spartan dorms and private rooms have modern bathrooms, but there have been reports of bed bugs, bunk beds lack ladders, and electric sockets are limited. Also, there are no in-room Wi-Fi, AC, TVs, kettles, or fridges, and lockers are in hallways. Staff also receive consistently poor reviews. The Flying Pig Downtown offers a far better value with cheerful decor, friendly vibe, and free breakfasts.
Scene
Hostel-style accommodation with party atmosphere, but poor offerings
A party-centric, youthful crowd come here to be in the thick of the action, and the property is a popular pick amid bachelor and bachelorette groups. Hostel-style accommodation is barebones, offering little more than a place to sleep. The lobby merges with the sports bar, which is the hotel's focal point. This atmospheric space has an Old Western feel from wooden stools, wood-beamed ceilings, and brass beer plaques offsetting exposed brick. TV screens line walls amid alcohol-themed hangings, and there's a quirky red British phone booth. Twice-daily happy hours and a discount on bar food encourage guests to dine on-site, and the adjacent smoking room has pool and foosball tables. Summers benefit from a canal-side terrace with picnic tables. Unfortunately, there have been multiple complaints of bed bugs and surly staff. There are far better hostel options in this area of Amsterdam, including both the Flying Pig Downtown and St Christopher's at Winston Hotel.
Location
Central Amsterdam location, near the main station and Red Light District
Hotel The Globe is set in Amsterdam's old center, where some of the most beautiful (and most-photographed) canals are located. Nearby streets form the city's Red Light District, which can be exciting or inappropriate, depending on the traveler. Immediate surroundings of cafes, bars, shops, and China Town are within a five-minute walk, alongside the Sex and Erotic Museums. Dam Square is nine minutes away on foot, while Amsterdam Centraal Station is two minutes farther. Trams from there run around the city, and they shorten walks to the Rijksmuseum, and Leidsestraat/Kalverstraat shopping streets. Bike rentals are also a popular way to get around. Schiphol Airport is a half-hour drive, or 21 minutes by public transport.
Rooms
Basic dorms and private rooms with modern bathrooms
Albeit spartan, private Double, Triple, and Quad Rooms, and dorm rooms are for the most part bright and comfortable, offering canal or street views. Laminate-wood floors and white or forest-green walls have look fresh, and are accented by French doors, tulip wall art, or graffiti and nightclub stickers that give a nod to the party atmosphere. Mixed-gender dorms with bunk beds sleep four to 20 people, although a lack of bunk bed ladders here can be problematic. Unfortunately, there have been multiple reports of bed bugs. Linens are provided, alongside hairdryers and free towels at reception, but drawbacks include a lack of AC, Wi-Fi, mirrors, and a shortage of electric sockets in dorms. Private rooms have desks and wardrobes, while dorm lockers are in hallways and guests must bring their own locks. No fridges or kettles facilities are provided. Modern, dark-tiled bathrooms have showers, mirrors, and wall-dispensed toiletries. These are shared in dorms and en-suite in private rooms (which can be fitted with cribs).
Features
Sports bar with happy hours, meals, and a smoking room, plus a summer terrace
Features aren't the most extensive here-- notably lacking are any guest kitchen or cafeteria facilities, but the sports bar is a solid option for meals or a drink. Open until the wee hours, it earns its name from nine TV screens showing sports and soccer-themed banners. Stained-glass, lanterns, and wall paneling are cozy here, and wooden tables and chairs have a pub feel. From Thursday to Sunday happy hours occur twice-daily, and guests receive a discount on bar food, including breakfasts and snacks. Foosball and pool tables are located in the smoking room, where tobacco is permitted, but not marijuana. A summer terrace overlooks canals. The 24-hour reception enhances security by only permitting upper floor access upon presentation of room keys, and they'll store luggage securely after check-out. Bike rentals are available. There are no laundry or parking facilities. Pets are not permitted. Wi-Fi is free in downstairs areas.