OSTEND – HI Belgium VJH is happy to welcome a brand new hostel into the HI network. On Saturday, February 8th, HI Hostel ‘De Ploate’ was officially opened by Flemish minister of Tourism, Geert Bourgeois. The new hostel has a total capacity of 157 beds, spread over 49 rooms.
The very picture of a modern, green and accessible hostel
Roger Van Kelst, CEO of VJH, is very happy with the result: “We managed to create an impressive hostel with a modern and young look. It’s the proof that hostels and actual design can go together.” The building is also a great example of sustainable design, with initiatives such as a green roof, solar boilers and highly insulated wall structures. These efforts have been awarded with the Green Key, the eco-label that identifies the tourist establishments which are performing well in terms of the environment.
The new hostel replaces the old ‘De Ploate’ hostel, which was outdated and no longer met the needs of the modern tourist as to comfort and accessibility. The new building and its facilities are a role model when it comes to accessibility for people with disabilities. 32 out of the 49 rooms are equipped with a total of 70 wheelchair-accessible beds. The hostel obtained the A+ label for this, the highest label for accessible tourism, awarded by the Flemish Tourist Board.
A fun place to stay
The ‘De Ploate’ hostel has a total capacity of 157 beds. Only 4 rooms have 6 beds. The other 45 rooms, all of them en suite, accommodate 2, 3 or 4 people. There are also 5 wheelchair-accessible bathrooms for common use, a restaurant with catering, a backpacker’s kitchen, a hip bar & lounge area, meeting rooms, a bicycle shed, luggage storage, lockers and free wifi. Don’t expect 5-star luxury, but look forward to a comfortable and fun place to stay, tuned to the expectations of a young audience.
Ostend, city by the sea
The beach hostel is located in the city centre of Ostend, at a mere 150 meters from the beach and at a walking distance of the fishing port and train station. In Ostend, over five and a half miles of sandy beaches invites you to delightful sunbathing and a refreshing dip in the North Sea. After frolicking in the sun, take a walk down the promenade where you will find many shops, bars and restaurants. It’s also an excellent base for exploring Flanders Fields.
Family hostel
Hostel managers and brothers Carl and Filip Craey are no strangers for VJH and Hostelling International. They were raised in the hostel their father managed, and took over the management at the moment of his unexpected decease. For them it’s a fresh start and they will run the new hostel with a lot of enthusiasm and professional care. We wish them all the luck!
.JPG)
