/ Hello I’m the FAQ
Got any questions? I’m happy to answer them personally. But some answers can be found below:
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Book me
How can I book?
Through //Book Me you will arrive on my booking site. You can choose to reserve a room with your credit card. You will pay when you arrive. OR, you can choose the ‘non-refundable’ option to pay in advance with iDeal, Bancontact or Sofort. Booking directly through my website is always 10% cheaper than through Booking.com or other platforms.
Can I book without a credit card?
You can book by choosing the ‘non-refundable’ option to pay with iDeal.
Can I pay for my room when I arrive by cash?
Yes, you can pay cash at check in. Just bear in mind you’ll need a credit card to guarantee your booking.
Can I just book one night on a Saturday?
Haarlem has so much to offer no reason just to stay one night. On Saturdays and holidays I have a two night minumum so my guests that want to stay longer get that chance. Keep your eyes open for last minute openings for single nights.
How can I book for a group?
Head over to Plan a Call, leave your mobile number and your name. I will contact you within 24 hours. Would be great to leave me details on which dates, why you would like to stay at Hello I’m Local, what your plans are, how many people you would like to come with!
Can I book the whole hostel just for my group?
Yes! I rent out my entire boutique hostel exclusively — perfect for team offsites, creative retreats, or any group that wants the place to themselves. Rooms, zaal, catering — it all works together. Head over to Plan a Call and let me know what you have in mind.
Do you partner with Bikepacking Holland?
Why yes, I do! If you are planning to bike from city to city and would like help organizing your ‘bikepacking’ trip – please reach out to my friends at www.bikepackingholland.nl for help booking.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes I do! Want to treat someone to a stay with me? Just ask and I’ll sort it out for you.
Food & Beverage
Is breakfast included in the price?
No, I do serve a delicious local breakfast. You can order this from my menu starting at 08:00. I have an all day menu for you to order from.
I have a guest pantry were you can make your own coffee and tea.
Do you serve drinks?
Sure do! I have a bar in my living room for coffee, beer, cocktails – all local yummies. In Haarlem you can find a huge number of café’s as well. I can give you some insider tips when you’re here.
Do you serve food?
Sure do! I serve breakfast, baked goods and local snacks. I also prepare groups diners on request. All local yummies. In Haarlem you can find a huge number of great restaurants for diner. I can give you some insider tips when you’re here.
Can I bring my own drinks?
Nope can’t do. Bringing your own alcoholic beverages inside the café and your room is not allowed.
Can I have food delivered?
You sure can! You can eat that in my guest pantry, not my café or patios.
Location & Directions
Are you located in the center?
I am located in the center of Haarlem on the quite side. It’s a 5 minute walk from the hostel to the middle of the central square.
Is Haarlem a good base for visiting Amsterdam?
One of the best-kept secrets in the Netherlands. From me it’s a 15 min walk to the train station and then a 15 min train ride to Amsterdam Centraal. You get the charm of a beautiful Dutch city, without the crowds and tourist prices — and Amsterdam is right there whenever you want it.
How far are you from Amsterdam?
From me it is a 15 min walk to the train station and then a 15 min train ride to get you to the center of Amsterdam. You can schedule your travel with Dutch public transport through this site.
How do I get there from the airport?
From Schiphol airport there is a direct bus to Haarlem. Bus 300 leaves every 10 minutes from Schiphol Plaza. The night bus N30 goes every hour. It’s a 45-minute bus ride to Haarlem station, from there it is a 15-minute walk to my front door.
Walking Directions from the Haarlem Train/Bus Station:
When you exit Haarlem Central Station on the city center (Centrum) side you see the bus terminal. Take the street on the left, the Jansweg. Follow this street till the Korte Jansstraat and walk to the left. Go to the right to the Bakenessegracht. Follow this canal to where it ends at the Spaarne river. Here you cross the Spaarne over a white bridge called Gravestenenbrug. Then take a left and when you come to another (small) bridge on the left, you cross it as well. Now you’re on Spaarnwouderstraat. I’m located just accross from the bridge at number 74.
Can I park my car at your hostel?
You are welcome to park your car right in front of my entrance to unload, but I do not have parking. My street and surrounding streets are paid parking spots for a maximum of 3 hours.
Sometimes you can be lucky and you can find a free parking spot in a neighbourhood close by. Here you will find a few public parking areas which are for free. Navigate to Teylerstraat. From there take one of the streets to left; Zuidpolderstraat, Vooruitgangstraat or the Severijnstraat. WARNING! If you see the sign ‘P Vergunninghouders’ then this is only for locals and you cannot park here. If the parking areas are full you can navigate to the Amsterdamse Vaart. It’s not the easiest but hé it’s free!
Find more information about parkingzones in Haarlem here.
I’m coming by bike — can I store my bike somewhere?
I would be happy to secure your bikes. I lock my bike to the bridge. If you want you can store your bike on my outdoor patio, or based on availability, in my zaal.
How far is the beach by bike?
About 20 minutes to Zandvoort and the dunes. One of the best things about Haarlem — you’re in the city center but the North Sea coast is right there. I can point you to the best routes.
Check-in, Check-out & Access
What time is check in / out?
Check in is at 15:00, check out is at 11:00. But you are always free to come earlier to drop off your bags or when you check out to leave them for the day with me.
Can I drop off my luggage before check-in?
I open at 8:00 and you are more than welcome to check-in and leave your bags while you go and explore. Your room is definitely ready at 15:00. Feel free to leave your bags after check-out as well.
What if I arrive very late?
No worries — there is no curfew, but I would appreciate if you can notify my team. Your room key is also the key for the night entrance. Just let me know your expected arrival time so I can make sure everything is ready for you.
Can you gain access to the hostel at night?
Yes you can, no curfew for you. The room key is also the key for the night entrance.
Rooms & Facilities
What kind of rooms do you have?
I have 20 unique rooms and 1 apartment. Every room has its own name and personality — Nachtwacht, Frans Hals, Pluk de Dag, ‘t Wed, Van Lotje, Willem, Provincie, Duinlust. Each one has a private shower, and they’re all styled with Dutch design, local art, and vintage finds. My rooms are small but they are cute.
Do you have a women-only dorm?
Yes! Van Lotje (2 persons) and Tante Leen (8 persons) are my women-only dorms. A safe, comfortable space with everything you need.
Are there towels in the boutique hostel?
Sure are and they are free. All private rooms come with towels. Staying in a dorm and in need of a towel? Just ask my team at check-in.
Is bed linen supplied?
When you stay with me, I’ll make sure your bed is ready made to jump into for a good night sleep.
Do you have WiFi?
Yes — in my common areas: the living room, cafe, and patio. I don’t have WiFi in the rooms. That’s on purpose. I’d rather you come downstairs, grab a coffee, and meet someone new. Old-fashioned? Maybe. But it works.
Why is there no TV?
Because I’d rather you talk to each other. No TV in any room, no TV anywhere in the building. Instead: a fireplace, board games, a bar, a patio, and people from all over the world sitting next to you. I checked — nobody has ever asked for a remote.
Do you have air conditioning?
I don’t have AC. I’m in a historic building in the Netherlands — most days you won’t need it. On warmer days I have fans available, and you can always cool down in the shade on my patio.
Do you have safes in the room?
My dorm rooms have lockers under the beds. You can lock them with your own lock. If you forgot yours you can borrow or buy one at my reception. My private rooms don’t have safes — if you want I can leave your valuables in a locked room.
Do you have a laundry facility?
Yes I do, I have a washing machine and a dryer. I can do your laundry for €10 and get it back to you after 24 hours. You can also go to a local place, they charge per kilo.
Is there a common area?
My living room is the heart of the hostel. Fireplace, board games, books, and a bar. My patio has a retractable roof and a fireplace too — perfect for sunny days or cozy evenings. I also have a guest pantry with a fridge, microwave, and water boiler if you want to make your own coffee or tea.
Do you have an elevator?
No. I’m in a genuine Dutch canal house — that means steep stairs, character, and no elevator. If you have heavy luggage, my team will help you carry it up. But if stairs are a dealbreaker, I want you to know that before you book.
How long can I stay at the hostel?
I have a 10 day maximum stay.
Food & Drinks
Is breakfast included in the price?
No, but my café is open from 08:00 with all day breakfast — you can order from my menu whenever you like. For groups of 5 or more I also offer a group breakfast option.
I have a guest pantry where you can make your own coffee and tea.
Do you serve drinks?
Sure do! I have my own café open from 08:00 with all day breakfast, coffee, beer, cocktails — all local yummies. In Haarlem you can find a huge number of cafés as well. I can give you some insider tips when you’re here.
Do you serve food?
Sure do! My café serves all day breakfast, baked goods and local snacks. For groups of 5 or more I offer group breakfast and I also prepare group dinners on request. All local yummies. In Haarlem you can find a huge number of great restaurants for dinner. I can give you some insider tips when you’re here.
Can I hang out in the cafe if I’m not staying at the hostel?
Of course! My cafe is open to everyone — locals and travellers. That’s what makes it special. Come in for a coffee, stay for the conversation.
Can I bring my own drinks?
Nope can’t do. Bringing your own alcoholic beverages inside the café and your room is not allowed.
Can I have food delivered?
You sure can! You can eat that in my guest pantry, not my café or patios.
Events & Community
Do you host events?
Yes! My zaal is a former children’s theater with a stage, red curtains, and local art on the walls. I host everything from comedy shows to breathwork circles, pub quizzes to movie nights, magic shows to workshops. Check my agenda to see what’s coming up.
Can I book the zaal for my own event?
Absolutely. My zaal works for workshops, performances, business meetings, private dinners, and more. Reach out and tell me what you’re planning.
Rules & Who Can Stay
I am not 18 yet, can I still stay at your place?
Only in a private room if you are accompanied by an adult, otherwise you have to wait until you are 18 to stay with me. Even when accompanied by an adult, children under the age of 18 are not allowed to stay in shared dorm rooms.
Are kids allowed?
Yes, of course! I am not able to host families with children under 18 in my shared dorm rooms, but my private rooms are very suitable for families.
Are the rooms suitable for young children?
My rooms are cozy and compact, in a characterful old building. Some rooms have steep ladders to the top bunks — your kids will think it’s a treehouse. There’s no soundproofing between walls, no TV, and no kids’ entertainment programme. What I do have: board games, a courtyard, and the kind of freedom where kids can just be kids. Adventurous families love it here. If you need a fully controlled, child-proofed environment — I’m probably not your place, and I’d rather tell you now than disappoint you later.
Can I bring a baby?
Of course. This is possible in any of my private rooms. I have a baby cot available. Please add the cot to your reservation in the last step of your booking. Everyone who fits in a baby cot sleeps for free.
Are animals allowed?
Sorry — I am a pet free boutique hostel.
Can I bring people from outside the hostel?
Yes of course — bring your friends to hang out at the living room or patio. Just when the clock hits 22:00 my quiet time starts and I will ask you to continue the fun somewhere else.
Is there a quiet time?
Yes. Quiet time is from 22:00 to 08:00. I have neighbours and I respect them. I trust you to do the same.
Can I smoke somewhere?
Not inside the building and not in front of the hostel. But walk 30 seconds to the water and you’ve got the best smoking spot ever — overlooking the Spaarne river. I take no-smoking inside seriously — there is a €250 fine.
What makes me different?
What kind of hostel is this exactly?
I’m somewhere between a laid-back hostel and a 5-star hotel. People call me different, but that makes me, me.
Is this a party hostel?
No. And that’s on purpose. I have quiet hours from 22:00, I trust my travellers to respect the neighbourhood, and the vibe here is more fireplace-and-board-games than shots-at-midnight. If you’re looking for a party — Amsterdam is 15 minutes away. If you’re looking for a place with a soul — you found it.
Am I too old for a hostel?
There is no age limit at Hello I’m Local. I’m rated suitable for older travellers (50+) on Hostelz.com — which is unusual for a hostel, and I’m proud of it. I have travellers of all ages, from solo women in their 50s to families with toddlers. If you’re curious, open-minded, and don’t need a minibar — you belong here.
Is this a good place for a woman traveling alone?
Yes — and I hear this a lot. I have women-only dorms (Van Lotje for 2, Tante Leen for 8), no curfew but a night entrance with your own key, and a cafe where you can have your morning coffee and end up talking to a local for an hour. My travellers feel safe here. Many of my best reviews come from solo women who say this is the place they wish they’d found sooner.
Why is everything “local”?
Because it’s in the name. My beers are local. My snacks are local. The art on my walls is local. My rooms are named after Dutch culture and Haarlem heritage. When you stay with me, you’re not just sleeping somewhere — you’re meeting Haarlem.
Do you do anything for sustainability?
I do what I can without making a fuss about it. Eco-friendly cleaning products, zero-waste food preparation where possible, and I source locally. I’d rather do it than talk about it — but since you asked.
Safety & Communication
How do I know a message is really from you?
WARNING: Not the fun kind of warning this time. Scammers sometimes pretend to be hotels and hostels to steal payment details or personal information.
Here’s how to stay safe: all official communication from me comes from **mail@helloimlocal.com** or one of my two phone numbers:
**+31 (0)6 1522 4027**
**+31 (0)23 8446916**
I will never ask you to pay via a random link, WhatsApp from an unknown number, or email from a different address. If something feels off — it probably is. When in doubt, just call me directly. I’m a real person and I’ll pick up.