Auberge de Jeunesse de Namur

Very comfortable and friendly stop off on the drive from London to southern Germany. Free parking just outside. Stayed in a four bed room (two bunks) with shower and shared toilet for one night. About 25 minutes stroll along the river from the centre of town. Where there are lots of opportunities to eat. Breakfast was simple but plentiful and there was an option for dinner and a small bar. Complete with table football. Whole thing was about €100 for the night.

Our arrival at the hostel was delayed but we called and were happy that they waited for us to check in. That done, we went to the room and one of the rooms had a horrible smell of sewage. We went back to the reception to complain and the guy said it was because the room was closed for a long and make the water run the smell disappear, which did not happen. We came back to him and he said that the hostel was full and that he couldn't do anything (??). We insisted already that this problem would need to be solved. At this point, the conversation was getting hot. So, he went to the room to see (smell) what we were complaining about. He was very unfriendly, completely different from that guy who was in the reception making jokes and laughing when we checked in. At the end he offered us another room. In the morning, there was no water available in the bathrooms, showers, or to make coffee in the restaurant. There was a problem with a leak, which at the end of the day we saw that it had been resolved. The hostel is average. Rooms are OK. Good reception and restaurant. But the first impression was bad.

I was a solo traveller and enjoyed my stay here. The staff were very friendly, informative and co-operative. I was enabled to have as much privacy as required by me, but there were also areas for social engagement with other guests, had I so wanted. The building was exceptionally quiet post 9pm, which suited. Surprising as the hostel was (nearly?) full on the first night. The room I stayed in was very clean, including the towel offered and bed linen. The room was fresh and airy. The breakfast was wholesome Continental and something to look forward to starting the day. The location is over a mile away from the town's shopping area, again which suited, as I prefer to gradually engage with more populated areas. The main part of this walk is beside the river and is pleasant. There is an infrequent (hourly?) bus service from the train station stopping nearby, which I didn't use. I particularly enjoyed resting in the common balcony area in the evenings. This is a semi-open area located just above the front door and overlooks the river. It was also kept clean. I felt very safe throughout, which is very important as a solo traveller. I would certainly stay in this hostel again, should I go again to Namur.