Don't Go To Canuckistan; ó Rick Steves Blows: The Bulldog Hotel (Amsterdam)

The Bulldog Hotel bills itself as a 5-star hostel and it is certainly a frilly outfit. Staff wear uniform T-shirts bearing the company logo; surveillance cameras are everywhere; a doorman stands guard in the evenings; decor bespeaks hotel, not youth hostel; and here you'll find no cheap, squeaky beds or slovenly behaviour on premises (e.g., shouting in the halls or vomiting).

There's a rooftop terrace for the smoking of prohibited tobacco (!!), an upscale lounge and bar on the first floor with dim lighting and plenty of

tables and seating. By lunch time the swank elegance is fumigated by stoners and rebels without clues. The smoke is so thick you can actually see the haze lingering in the air with the naked eye. In the lounge are computer terminals that cost while wi-fi access is FREE. One other great feature is the FREE luggage storage.

Aside from my general gripe with Amsterdam's Red Light District---too, too many young tourists forcing themselves to get high non-stop and a perpetual London fog of cannabis smoke---the Bulldog is a great stay. Plus, if you're mad on reefer you will be too stoned to be bothered by the cooler-than-thou hang-up of the establishment.

I have a hard time believing this bullshit policy sticks for girls, especially white girls

To begin, a doorman/bouncer? Nigga please. It's a hostel, not an exclusive nightclub. Nothing dangerously violent is going to occur here that wouldn't go down at any other lodging; even less so because, after all, pot heads are a harmless, peace & love mongering lot, right? And as everyone knows bouncers are unduly self-important, id est antagonistic. The doormen practically bark, Can I help you, before permitting you passage.

Reception are slightly better. Problem is they are thick in the head and too cool to be bothered with anything beyond checking guests in or out of rooms. This 5-star badass place is above taking phone messages for guests. Hello! My international caller was told that it was not Front Desk's job to play secretary or deliver messages to lodgers. Huh?!

Yes, in fact, that is a responsibility of Front Desk. Talk about customer service! I have a hard time believing this bullshit policy sticks for girls, especially white girls. The Bulldog Hotel achieves high marks on ratty customer service. Really, a smile and cooperation go a long way. So give a dawg a bone and don't playa hate....