The Bulldog Hotel

Stayed at The Bulldog Hotel from December 27 to December 30. It was quite a mixed bag and an unusual stay. When we got there, the reception was very friendly and our rooms looked quite nice. They were large and spacious, with a great view of the canal. Unfortunately from day one we faced a MASSIVE problem with the rooms being too cold and the heating not working at all. We repeatedly spoke to the staff at reception and requested for the problem to be resolved. This wasnt an inconvenience or an irritant. This was actually affecting our health. We kept requesting that the heating be sorted or a portable heater be given to us. We had booked two rooms and this issue was in both rooms. At about 3:00 am the heating would stop and the thermostat would drop to 19 C and it would default to COLD. This is in the end of December when Euope is freezing. As a result of this, expectedly, my wife fell sick and this ruined the next week of our holiday plans. I mentioned that it was a mixed bag because the staff at the reception were very polite and friendly and every time we spoke to them they would assure us that they were turning up the temperature and the problem would be sorted, but nothing really happened. This is such a pity because its a lovely hotel with a cool location. But because of this issue I will NEVER stay at this place again. Our holiday was from November 14 to January 7 across Europe, and in EVERY other hotel we stayed at across Paris, Brussels, Munich, Cologne, London and Dublin, we did not face this issue. VERY POOR state of affairs, Bulldog Hotel. To save a few bucks on your heating bills, in the freezing cold of winter, you make your guests fall sick. Very disappointing.

Amazing hotel! Rooms was so clean and modern, bed was really big and super comfy. Staff were lovely. Asked for one bottle of the hand wash as I loved the bottle so waited it as a souvenir and returned to the room to a bunch of goodies! Can’t fault the hotel in any way. Very quiet at night which I didn’t think would happen due to the location. Would stay here for every trip

The place was recently renovated and you can definitely tell! The room was super clean, sheets+bed clean, and the bathrooms were great. The room was also nice and cold which I really appreciated. The locker was able to fit my check-in size suitcase and backpack which was also a relief (I do have a smaller suitcase though). My hostelmates were all super nice too and I would definitely stay here again! Also really well located and central to a lot of good food + entertainment.

It was good. Incredible location. Reasonable size considering the location. The balcony room was unavailable for our dates. Fourth floor has a designated smoking area (rooftop) which closes at 11pm. After which you either buy a drink at their bar and smoke or go outside their hotel. Always carry your keys if going out late. They enter your room and clean it everyday unless you put up do not disturb. We even kept our bags for half an hour at their locker after check out. This video is just before our check out.

As a family the three we visited Amsterdam on a day trip as part of a cruise. My brother is in a wheelchair and as beautiful as Amsterdam is in the old town the building and roads aren’t all accessible.|We came across the Bulldog Hotel and it was a “ hallelujah” moment …!!! Easy access into the reception and we were greeted by a very friendly welcome from the girl on the front desk. |The food and drinks were absolutely fantastic and the atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. There was an accessible toilet and plenty of space in the main area to get a seat and feel comfortable. |My mom is in her mid sixties and was apprehensive about going to a smoking cafe but the culture and ambience of the place immediately made her concerns disappear. |There is a feel about The Bulldog that just makes you feel included……no judgement just positive vibes. |The staff were all really warm and friendly they couldn’t do enough for us. They made recommendations and you could see them were genuinely happy to be helping you and serving you. |Our visit made our trip to Amsterdam perfect ……!|We will definitely be returning when we come to visit Amsterdam for longer. It will be our first port of call. |We also bought souvenirs from the shop and the guy that served us was equally as friendly and helpful.

This is the second time we have stayed at the bulldog. We enjoyed our stay both times. We stayed in the double deluxe canal side view room. It's a big room with a very comfortable bed. The wifi in the hotel is great so I could use the wifi to stream via my phone to the smart TV. The atmosphere in the hotel is very chilled out. The staff are polite and friendly. There is no smoking in the rooms but you can go up to the rooftop which has a nice area to chill out in or down to the smoking bar downstairs. Will visit again.

Amazingly clean rooms without a spec of dust throughout! One concern was obviously that there may be a strong smell throughout however, nothing was noticeable after the coffeeshop area! A lovely terrace for 5 minutes outside for guests only! Right in the centre so everything is in 5 minutes walking distance!

I love Amsterdam and wanted to find a special place for me and my sister to feel safe and comfortable. This hotel was AMAZBALLS. We loved the people and the food and EVERYTHING else. I’m even coming back here for April time 2026. I can’t wait. Thank you Bulldog for being incredible

Receptionist was very rude at checkout. Misdirected me several times for a luggage check. Left a bad taste in my mouth and I will not be recommending any of my friends to stay here. Additionally, it was listed that our room had two bathrooms, however one had a broken lock so we had 10 people for one bathroom at times.

When planning our trip to Amsterdam we knew that it would be more cost effective to stay at a hostel and book a private suite. The Bulldog Hotel did not disappoint. The staff here are just so kind and accommodating, regularly check in is at 2 pm but since we had an early flight they were able to have our room cleaned and have us checked in around 11 am, truly so kind of them! Since we had a private room we paid a little bit more but was a lot more roomy plus we had our own bathroom! We booked our stay months in advance paying a little fee upfront and paying the rest as we checked in! Bulldog Hotel is in red light district so it's really close to all the restaurant and shops as well as "coffee" shops. Definitely suggest staying here, security is always available when entering the building, you aren't able to enter the hotel portion if you don't have a pass which made me feel really safe.

We didn't stay in the hotel but we went to the restaurant and bar. Super cool to just be in there. We only drank but you can also smoke. As Americans it's weird to just see someone sit down, roll a joint and smoke it like it's no big deal so it's for sure something to see and experience.

I didn't realize when I booked this place but "the bull dog" is a whole brand out here. It's an attraction to see. May not be your average hostel go-er would expect. The staff really do not set a friendly atmosphere, which I know is no easy thing to do with how visitors can be (especially in Amsterdam), but it's something that I find very important. A lot of other random amenities are over- priced like 6 euros just to wash your cloths (absolutely mad). Their whole thing is creating an element of exclusivity by only allowing guests in their bars after certain hours, which can be kind of nice if that's what you're into. They have a really great Frappuccino sorta milkshake at the coffee shop. No serious complaints about the actual rooms, they were adequate. Overall glad I experienced it but I wouldn't want to stay here for a second trip. If you took the time to read my review this far, here's a key hint: bring your own lock. They provide space for your stuff but no locks. Proost.

Now, this is from someone who is admittedly probably a bit long in the tooth to be galavanting through Europe in hostels. But I've done my share of backpacking back in the day, and while Bulldog Ho(s)tel is a fine establishment, I wonder on what basis it got the "first five star hostel in the world" title it advertises on its website? It was one of those situations where I may have been more impressed if I didn't have heightened expectations based on the advertised credo. Location is pretty central, and the beds were more comfortable than most hostels I've been to. The towels and linens were clean, and they have free wifi (which they were having trouble with on my first day, but had fixed by my second). Service is accommodating, and the lady at the reception did her best to take me out of a predominantly male dorm to a more female-friendly one without me asking. They offer free breakfast, and while I don't expect a continental breakfast at a hostel, the small display of bagged bread and ham/cheese in plastic containers was unimpressive compared to other hostels I've experienced around Europe. Not a problem except for my bewilderment at the five star rating. There was one shower and one toilet in a 12-person dorm (neither of which were very clean or had a mirror), which is less than I've seen in most hostels. While the website said they have a hair dryer, the hair dryer turned out to be essentially a high-mounted automatic hand dryer in the main sleeping area, so any attempt to dry my hair in the morning would have woken up my slumbering dorm-mates. Overall, Bulldog seems like a pretty cool place to meet fellow travelers, and the discounts offered at the few bars and souvenir shops under the Bulldog name probably comes in handy. But if you're simply looking for a place to rest your head, I believe there are slightly cheaper options in the area, and I wouldn't mind trying those if I find myself looking for budget accommodations in Amsterdam again. *They have gym-style lockers that comfortably fit my carry-on size luggage and jackets, but the lock only accommodates the smaller locks. I had brought a regular-sized dial lock, and ended up having to purchase a 5 euro lock from the vending machine. *They say that they require you to show your pass every time you come into the hostel for security reasons, but when I asked the lady at the desk if she needed to see my pass, she said "no, I remember you." I had never seen her before.

This was such a great spot to stay! Make sure you book in advance if you want the privacy of your own room. Typical bunked hostel with lockers. I like that the lobby has it's own bar and cafe only open to its guest. They also serve food. There is a coffee shop right next door. Great roof top patio with spectacular views of Saint Nicholas clock tower. When up there you cannot hear the bustle of the streets below. Such a chill spot. The Bulldog is iconic with a lot of history. It's in such a great location if you desire to explore Amsterdam night life!

First things first. Before staying here you need to make sure you are prepared to: 1) Be in the heart of the Red Light District 2) Find people smoking in the lobby, bar, and rooms at all hours of the day (literally) 3) Share very close (and somewhat dirty) corners with strangers from all over the world But you can also expect: 1) Great breakfast- tasty rolls, meat, cheese, yogurt, fruit, eggs and juice 2) A friendly staff willing to dole out advice, towels, and help when you need 3) Comfy beds 4) Wifi 5) A central location right around the corner from Dam Square All in all, it suit our needs perfectly for our stay in Amsterdam. I would definitely look into the other Bulldog places for future stays. As long as you know what you're getting into, you won't be disappointed.

We booked The Bulldog whilst on a ferry from England the night before we arrived in Amsterdam, because it seemed to be the best option in terms of both ratings and price. Our last minute planning turned out pretty well - this place is awesome. Majority of my recent travels I've either stayed with friends or Couch Surfers to save money, but The Bulldog Hotel proved to be worth the 35 Euro price tag (I think that's how much I paid). First off, it is in a good location. You walk out to immediately see the river, with musicians playing on the bridge. The Red Light District is right around the corner, and you're able to walk basically everywhere else important. The original Bulldog coffee shop, covered in crazy awesome color and design, is just a few doors down. You could literally have an amazing experience without even leaving the block. The hostel itself is what makes it though - the downstairs bar area is super lively and always had a decent flow of people. All the employees were cool, and I liked that they had a storage area for our things. The rooms were nice too, with decent views. The beds were comfortable, and everything was way clean compared to some other hostels I have stayed at. The hallways had interesting paintings on the walls, which was neat. I wish I could more fully describe my experiences here, but it's Amsterdam and I was a college kid on vacation so we'll leave those out. Just know that this place is full of great vibes, cool people, and is just an overall perfect choice for your visit.

The Bulldog Hotel is as good as it gets! That's right....this gem is right in the city on a canal ring right next to the Oude Kerk. With a central location everything is at your foot. Just a 10 min walk from Centraal Station, jog through a couple streets off the canal...and viola! You have arrived! I first started coming to this hostel/hotel 11/12 years ago. The staff has ALWAYS been friendly, even remembering me on return visits. The Bulldog consists of several rooms...all different. You have dorms styles, mixed, male only, female, only, single/double/triple rooms, and a family room up top. There is a patio outside equipped with benches for seating and inside has more than enough tables and chairs, bars space and high tops for people enjoying the lounge. The lounge has a bar with several beers and a select menu for food.| Breakfast is included with your room for FREE, so take advantage of your breads, cheeses, meats, eggs, fruit, and granola. The Bulldog also has their own security; meaning there is a guy at the door every time you come and go, as this place is ONLY for the hotel occupants, checking your pass. The rooms are very cozy, some bigger than others, but you get what you pay for. I have stayed in the all girls dorm with a view of the canals, I have stayed in a mixed dorm; fun when younger!, but as of lately we have been staying in the double private which comes with ensuite r/r, double bed, tv, bathroom with shower and TUB! Great insulated rooms to help block out any late to bed party guys...and dark curtains to keep out the light if you want! FYI...no tobacco smoking allowed! The lounge dose NOT sell weed! You can only be in the Bulldog if you have a reservation!

Awesome place for the money. Relatives stayed here and paid 25.00 each for a bed. Rooms typical sleep 4, so you can get a private room for 4 people for $100.00 a night. Bar area is pretty lovely, they do allow smoking inside the lobby but not in the rooms. I would describe this place like a college dorm, lots of guys partying, drinking, smoking, some even passed out, yet all done in a safe environment. The hotel security is pretty tuff on keeping out non hotel guest and keeping everyone in line. Overall this place isn't for me, but definitely has some appeal if this is what your looking for.

The bulldog hotel/hostel is right on the canal and also beside the red light district. Location is second to none and you are within walking distance from the Central station, the Anne Frank museum and the shopping area. Staff are super welcoming and everyone is quite chilled. Breakfast is included and while quite basic it's good to fill up as the prices around Amsterdam are rather expensive. There is also a coffeeshop next door but don't be expecting coffee, cakes and such as coffeeshops are often where you can buy your weed/cannabis and smoke it. Smoking regular cigarettes indoors is illegal so some might find it strange that you can smoke weed but hey! I found the dorm to be kind of annoying, the first night girls were busy coming and going throughout the night, 2 came in at 12.30.am and another 2 at 2.30.am with the first two leaving at 5.am and the second 2 an hour later!!! They spent about 45 minutes showering, packing, whispering and putting on makeup etc while others around them tried to sleep. I can only guess that they had early morning flights to catch. The following night was a bit better, except for one girl that came in at 3am and turned the main light on. I promptly told her to turn it off! I think I forgot I was in a hostel and thought it was one of my kids but still inconsiderate. Anyway there are little lights at every bed so no need to go waking everyone up.

I think it's only fitting that I save my 420th review for Amsterdam's first five star hostel in the world: the Bulldog Hotel. Not really a hotel, but a hostel, I stayed in a private, double room during the "high season" (tee hee) and loved it. Things to keep in mind: +The beds are tinier than what I'm used to--I think it was a twin mattress--but it did the job. +The crowd is a bit on the younger side, so make sure to bring some ear buds if you plan on sleeping. +You're in the heart of the Red Light District. This can be good and it can be awful. Plan accordingly. +Order an absinthe at the bar; it's definitely an experience.

Wow, this place is so great. I love staying here when we get a chance to drop into Amsterdam. Not only is it a perfectly located hostel with friendly staff, but the bar/lounge and attached coffeeshop are some of the best places in the city to hang out, meet other travellers and just soak up the Amsterdam life. The prices are a bit steep for a hostel, but they've really renovated the place in the past couple years, so the comfort level is worth it. Just try to get the smallest dorm room possible to lessen your chance of drawing a snorer in your room! Overall, great location, friendly faces and awesome spot to explore the 'Dam from.

First of all, the beds and pillows are clean and super comfortable. I stayed in a private room en suite with my friends and everything was perfect! Don't forget the shower shoes though! Reception was very courteous and there is security. Great to know! The hostel has everything. You really don't have to leave the building to eat or smoke but you should so you could get waffles or other delicacies in the area. Oh! And the Red Light District is just around the corner. Sweet! Room Tip: If your traveling with a bunch of people, get a private room. See more room tips

After staying at both the Bulldog and The Flying Pig Downtown in Amsterdam, I've got to say the Bulldog was my fav. The room was pretty clean, better than most hostels. The bathroom and wash room in my room (6 bed girls dorm) were both great and the views of the canal from my room were pretty picturesque. Don't stay here if loud noise at crazy hours is a problem for you. I'm a light sleeper but didn't have any real issues. I mean you're in the Red Light District, what do you expect? The hotel staff were my favorite staff of my whole trip through Amsterdam. Definitely recommend staying here.

The biggest thing this place has going for it is the location. Showers are pretty musty, but the beds are clean. It was myself and 2 other friends. Our roommates were extremely obnoxious and down right loud and rude. But not something the hotel can really control. You have to pay for a locker, which is kind of garbage. Staff was friendly enough.

What a great little hotel. Things can really be disorienting in this city but the hotel seems to have a good grasp of everything. The people are very nice downstairs, the private rooms are clean and spacious for European rooms, hot water with good pressure, and a good a/c system. What more do you need? The wifi is slow but it works and it's free. Great location. I like this place! Amsterdam is like Las Vegas meets New Orleans, and the Bulldog really brings that out. It's mostly young people, and you will find them smoking weed and hash out front on the benches, but for the money, location, cleanliness, and overall value this is the place.

The place looks very young, cool and is super central. Specifically made for young people. Hotel is just around everything what's close and worth a visit. The lobby/lounge area is quite dark. Smoking tobacco is not allowed but weed is. That is quite annoying if you don't like the smell. I never went to the bar due to that. The rooms are on suite which makes things easier. Shower and toilet are separated-also a nice thing. On the fourth floor is a terrace open from 11am-11pm. Cool for having drinks in the evening. The staff is friendly and speaks English fluently. No issues with that all. Breakfast and wifi is included in the price and towels are available at the reception-for FREE! Very nice. Overall: cool place for someone who comes to smoke weed and wants party. Not for someone who wants a chilled relaxed place.

This place is very clean, offers a great included breakfast, and has beautiful showers. The only downer is the price, because it's such a touristy spot... but I guess you get what you pay for in such a hip city as Amsterdam.

This is the hostel that made me realize I'm not a "hostel person." We arrived and had the sweetest woman help us out, and I really appreciated her help and warmth because after Germany, some kindness was great. But then we got to our 12-bed dorm at around 4pm, and there were 6 or 7 guys sleeping, the room smelled like wet dog and the lights were off. I immediately didn't feel welcome and I knew I didn't want to be there. We went back downstairs and changed our room, there were no private rooms available unfortunately. We told one of the women at the desk our situation and she looked at me like I was an idiot and I'm pretty sure told the other nice lady who did end up helping us not to put us in a different room. But the one lady completely understood and let us switch rooms no problem. So we got a new room and this one was better. Someone left a window open so it wasn't musty, but fresher and I really liked that. The toilet room was cleanER that the other one but I wouldn't say fresh or clean. Then the shower room was better than the first room, also. It didn't smell like a men's junior high locker room. But when I went to take a shower, it was damp. Nobody leaves the door open to let it air out and the circulation in there is nonexistent. They really need a sign on the door so people know that the room needs to air out. So anyway, I didn't dare take a shower without flip flops because I'm pretty sure I would have gotten athletes foot just by looking at it. While I was showering, I noticed black spots in between the tile. Now I'm not an expert or anything of this kind of stuff, but I'm fairly certain that was mold. How could it not be? People take showers then seal off the room. Also, after turning on the hot water, you can't touch the hot water handle. It's way too hot! I burned my arm accidentally touching it just while doing normal shower things. I had to get my towel wet because I couldn't touch it with my bare hands. The breakfast was not worth it. Go have a pancake or something, somewhere else. Overall, let me tell you... I would never stay in this place again. The whole thing is musty. It smells like wet dog in the hallway. The elevator doesn't work well and the stairs are so steep and thin you have to walk sideways. The entire lobby smells like weed, which I understand but connected to your sleeping quarters was not ideal, and the people you'll stay with will most likely just want to party so don't plan on getting a decent night's sleep. I understand that they can't control who stays here, but this is very much a party hostel. So if you're looking for a clean bathroom and a comfortable bed, this is not the place for you. I will not be returning back to this hostel, I'm surprised there are so many good reviews because even the guy sleeping next to us switched rooms because the bathrooms were so disgusting in a different room than we switched from. This place needs a few of those huge fans to help it dry out and maybe some house keepers to clean up. My boyfriend and I literally spent money so we wouldn't have to sleep there for one night. We didn't get our money back for the second night, which we expected, but we preferred to pay for another hotel room instead of staying in this glorified jail. I wanted to warn the poor girl checking in for a week that she should get a different hotel. The pictures from the hostel online are misleading and the place is not as cool or interesting as shown, maybe they have one of two very cool rooms- but that's not the norm. Just don't stay here. It's not worth it. Pay a few extra euro and get a nicer hostel.

Actually it is a hostel. Good price, great location (you know that:)) Too bad I am not fun of alcohol.

In the heart of the red light district, this place is really good value for money. We stayed for 4 nights, had a private room and enjoyed our stay. Room was clean, it was very quiet considering the placement of the hostel. It's walking distance from the train station, the flower market and other great places worth visiting. Loads of bars and restaurants near by. You can enjoy a drink and a smoke in the hostel bar, which is also very cozy. We will definitely return here when we visit Amsterdam again.

Never knew they also had a bar/hotel. You can go in here during the day and it's like night time atmosphere inside. Dark, loud music, and surprisingly normally priced beer (no tourist ripoff prices)

Good location, free towels...but the room smelled like sewer 24/7, a huge con in my opinion

Neat place! I saw young and old people hang out here!!!

Close to all the action of the red light. Nice n clean with private toilet and showers. Breakfast served every morning was great to start the day.

Bulldog is right on the Canals. It's in the Red Light District which is full of action at night and convenient to the Main Central Station. The rooms and beds are practical. My one complaint is how smoky the restaurant is so just go outside to eat for better food and service.

Love the fact that this hostel was in a very central location in Amsterdam. This hostel is really cute and clean and it's right across from an awesome canal. Inside the hostel there is an awesome bar that sells food. Drinks are cheap and bartenders were cute and friendly. Everything was walking distance. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly they made my friends and I feel very welcome and safe. I met a lot of interesting people here from all around the world. Definitely a great place to stay if you are backpacking with a group of friends. Food is a block away and it is excellent make sure to try the Brazilian restaurant in the corner. There is also a bike rental service in the corner and a place to purchase tickets to do tourist stuff. I suggest doing a canal ride, Heineken tour, Amsterdam sign, and Anne Franks house. Also red light district is 2 blocks away from this hostel so you get the whole Amsterdam experience.

This place is actually a hostel and me and my friends stayed here for about 3 nights a couple years ago. We booked an apartment room and it was SUPER nice. It wasn't in the main hostel building, just right down the street and up a very narrow and steep set of stairs but the place was a well outfitted and decorated apartment (with a full kitchen, a bedroom and bathroom, a pull out sofa in the living room and another small bathroom). For the price this place was so worth it! Plus it was in a nice part or town- we walked everywhere. There was a bar and smoking room right downstairs and the main hostel building right down the street had a bar and pool tables at it. There was internet and laundry services which both worked well. The front desk was pretty helpful although we never found any really great restaurants while we were there. One downside was there was construction going on back in 2010 when we stayed there and it was impossible to sleep in at all- SO loud. I would stay here again though since it didn't feel like we were at a hostel at all and it was really affordable.

This hostel was super welcoming and made my stay here memorable!!! The easy access to the nice marijuana and the cheap prices at the bar make it wonderful! I felt safe and secure, my luggage was under watch at all times and it had great lockers! Food was super tasty and staff was polite! They even had a towel!