Hostel 28, a budget base in the middle of Bruges
Hostel 28 is a budget hostel on Dweersstraat in the historic centre of Bruges, Flanders, a short walk from the Grote Markt and the Belfry. Rooms are small and simple, and kept clean by most accounts. I would pick it for sightseers on a tight budget who sleep well, not for light sleepers.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hostel 28.
Where Hostel 28 is and how to get there
Hostel 28 is on Dweersstraat in the historic centre of Bruges, in Flanders. Its big card is the location, which sits a few minutes on foot from the Grote Markt and the Belfry. One guest describes a walk of five to ten minutes to the main sights.
The train station is a longer walk, about 15 minutes according to one review, though the same guest points out that it is closer than many other central places. For flights, the old description lists Ostend-Bruges airport at roughly 29 km, with train and bus links to the surrounding towns.
What the rooms at Hostel 28 are like
The rooms are small, simple and quiet by day. Guests who liked them use words such as neat, clean and nicely decorated, and one says the bed slept well. According to the description, rooms have a private bathroom with shower and hairdryer, plus bed linen and towels, with free Wi-Fi.
Not every stay is the same, though. One guest was upgraded to a room with a private bathroom, which suggests that some rooms do not have one, so it is worth checking exactly what you are booking. A couple of reviews also mention small rooms and squeaky swing doors to the toilet.
What guests like about Hostel 28 in Bruges
On Google the hostel scores 3.9 from 273 opinions, which is a mixed but honest picture. The praise follows a clear pattern.
- The location. Several guests call it very central, with everything within walking distance.
- The staff. Reception staff get a lot of credit for friendly tips, including places worth visiting and a few to skip.
- The price for what you get. Many reviews say the rooms look good for the money, which suits a budget trip of a few days.
- Cleanliness. Rooms and showers are described as very clean in several positive reviews.
What to know before you book
The complaints are as consistent as the praise, so read this part. Noise is the main problem. Low-scoring reviews talk about thin walls, water pipes you can hear, street noise, a bar next to the building and rowdy guests at night.
| The good | The catch |
|---|---|
| Central, walkable location | Noise from the street, the bar next door and other guests |
| Friendly reception with local tips | Small, basic rooms |
| Good value for a budget stay | Some guests felt the rooms looked better in photos |
| Clean rooms and showers, by most accounts | Mixed comments about stuffiness and dust in older reviews |
Breakfast also gets mixed signals. One guest regretted that no breakfast was available, while another praised a tasty one, so ask what is offered at the time of your stay. As a general rule, a place with this much feedback about night noise is not for light sleepers, and earplugs would be in my bag.
Who Hostel 28 suits
I would choose Hostel 28 in Bruges for a short sightseeing trip where you are out all day and only need a clean, cheap bed in the right spot. Couples on a budget and solo travellers who value a friendly front desk will probably be happy.
If a quiet night matters a lot to you, a few of the angriest reviews say it plainly, so you may be better off paying a little more for a hotel. That is my reading of the feedback, not a guarantee either way.
What to do around Hostel 28
You are in the middle of medieval Bruges, so a lot is on foot. The old description names the Grote Markt and the Belfry as a few minutes away, and also the Concertgebouw, the Beguinage and the Minnewater within a short walk.
If you want to see another corner of Flanders, a quieter stay such as La Pomme d'Or in Oudenaarde makes a good contrast with busy Bruges.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
