Learn Me: Hostels

Only a few days till I'm in Berlin. Decided I'm going to couch surf or a get a room in a Hostel for my first couple of nights until I find a more permanent spot in a flat. Shouldn't take too long. I've made some contacts with potential roommates, we all just want to meet for coffee or a beer to be sure we'll get along.

So, anything I should no about getting a room in a hostel? Do you need to reserve a spot ahead of time, or can you just go in an ask for something? Could I reserve a room for two nights and extend it if I need more?

I know I'll probably be sharing a room with a few other people. I am not planning to leave my computer unattended.

This is the only thing I know about Hostels

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450278/

When I used Youth Hostels they were a matter of showing up there and checking if they have a space. You're expected to help with some of the chores but it's usually the cheapest way to stay somewhere this side of couch surfing.

Geez Cam, I didn't know you were still stuck for a place. My apartment in Potsdam is sitting empty for the next month, I'd offer it to you but the keys are with me here in Toronto. A friend of mine over there has a spare though...

If it's a peak tourist season, or a popular spot, i'd book ahead. Most of the dorm rooms have a locker (take your own lock), but I'd be careful with anything valuable.

It's an experience, I met a few really neat people in my younger years and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Some of the hostels in Europe are breathtaking - old castles, manor houses and such.

Be sure and find out ahead of time if you need to bring your own sleeping bag and towel, or if they have those available. When you've narrowed down your search to a particular hostel, it might be helpful to check it's reputation on Lonely Planet or similar.

Berlin in January = the exact opposite of peak tourist season. BTW enjoy the 4:00 PM sunsets (which you won't actually get to see because it'll be overcast and raining.)

Jay wrote: Berlin in January = the exact opposite of peak tourist season. BTW enjoy the 4:00 PM sunsets (which you won't actually get to *see* because it'll be overcast and raining.)

QFT I was just there over christmas; didnt see the sun at all I dont think. pretty unpleasant weather

But Ive stayed at a hostel in Czech republic and we booked ahead since it was summer but there was still empty beds. I wouldnt worry about booking ahead this time of year, I was in a decent hotel over christmas at >50% off and it was totally empty bascially. The way my hostel one worked was there were several large multi person rooms like 10 or something and it was bunk beds, you didnt need to bring a sleeping bag. But I would bring a lock for your bag

Man, I wish I remembered the name of the hostel I stayed at in Berlin.

I absolutely loved it there. The food at breakfast was 9/10, 10 being the best meal I've ever had in my life. The beds were cheap. It was right near the train system. I'm going to try to ask around my family to see if they remember the name so I can pass it on to you.

When you visit, you should be able to buy a day pass for the train. In 07 it was about $7.30 for a day of free train service. If you've never been, the public transportation system there will make you never want to own a daily driver again.

I would give them at least 24 hour notice that you plan on showing up. For some reason, I remember it being cheaper that way.

Its 27.20 euro for a week. ~80 or so for a month. The public transport while efficient and awesome, is kinda expensive

^Sounds cheap compared to the costs of owning a car.

I know the school hooks us up with discounts on monthly train passes.

I think I just need a bed for a couple nights while I meet potential roommates. Actually, might have even found an empty 3-room flat that I can share with another brewing student and an Aussie bloke I've gotten in contact with.

I saw there was a hostel in the Prenzlauer Berg district right near several apartments I want to look at, and near where my Aussie contact is currently living. So, I'll just give them a heads up.

I did a fair amount of research on Hostels several years ago. They range from amazing bargains ($200/wk for a castle) to hideously insane. I got a Hostel room outside of DeJesolo near Venice and it was $80/night and was worse than the worst possible thing you could imagine... and I used to live in downtown L.A. Graffiti, druggies, loud music, fights, broken glass... I seriously would have preferred sleeping on the street.

I stayed in one in Stratford that had previously been a dormitory for a teaching hospital. It was cold, drab, boring, and institutional.... but cheap and perfunctory.

I never had the pleasure of staying in one that I thought was really worth my money. I'm sure they exist, I just haven't found one.

Bring a fartsack. I'm sure Germany is better at upkeep, but some of the places I stayed in in Italy were gnarly. I did stay in an old circus tent (really) in Munich for 7 euros a night. Cold, but fun.

When I lived over there, the few times we went into Berlin we stayed at the three little pigs hostel. It was pretty close to Potsdamer Platz; about a 7 minute walk away. It was clean and safe. I believe we called ahead, but I am not sure how soon ahead they called, as I didn't make the call.

Everyone else is bang on about the weather; when I lived in Dresden, the sun didn't shine for the first two and a half weeks in January, and the sun sets EARLY. However, by March, the sun will be rising at 5 and setting quite a bit later.

Have fun! And remember, if you get lost, just look up for the TV tower. The U & S are nearby.

Better reserve the room in advance. Here it's a hostel in Berlim Generator with a great atmosphere, easy to meet people and it has it's own bar.

Hell man, another GRM'er in Germany? I'm living about 3 hours north of Berlin right now. Honestly, I've never stayed in a bad hostel in Germany, though the one I did stay at in Berlin had a busted shower on my floor. They are all generally very clean but the cheap ones are very basic; expect a sheet and maybe a pillow if you're lucky. The people working there are usually the best ones to ask about where to find clubs/parties/good cheap food/etc.. It's best to reserve a room in advance pretty much anywhere that isn't a complete hole.

The one I stayed at in Berlin was called Helter Skelter, and it was on the border of the hippie zone . actually a really nice area!

generally speaking: the ones I stayed at all over italy (that were NOT bad) rated pretty good on tripadvisor/frommers

sobe_death wrote: Hell man, another GRM'er in Germany? I'm living about 3 hours north of Berlin right now. Honestly, I've never stayed in a bad hostel in Germany, though the one I did stay at in Berlin had a busted shower on my floor. They are all generally very clean but the cheap ones are very basic; expect a sheet and maybe a pillow if you're lucky. The people working there are usually the best ones to ask about where to find clubs/parties/good cheap food/etc.. It's best to reserve a room in advance pretty much anywhere that isn't a complete hole.

What town are you in then? I'm about 20km west of Berlin. Well, I'm in Toronto at the moment but my usual address is in Potsdam. Will be back in a few weeks.

We should have a Berlin meetup sometime. I can bribe you guys with beers and con you into helping fix my Lotus. [ <-- this is the perfect example of what we need the strikethrough tag for in the board update ] OOPS! I mean we can have some beers and generally have a good time! I'd be interested to hear Salanis' opinion of our local (Potsdam only as far as I know) unfiltered organic craft beer.

Jay wrote: We should have a Berlin meetup sometime. I can bribe you guys with beers and con you into helping fix my Lotus. [ <-- this is the perfect example of what we need the strikethrough tag for in the board update ] OOPS! I mean we can have some beers and generally have a good time!

Sounds like the premise for another Hostel-style horror film.

Seven hours passed, the beer had long since run out, yet the hapless visitors were still knee-deep in wiring loom.

Well, reserved a spot at a well reviewed, inexpensive hostel right in the heart of Prenzlauerberg. Looks like it's near most of the apartments I want to check out and dance parties I'm hoping to hit.

Jay wrote: I'd be interested to hear Salanis' opinion of our local (Potsdam only as far as I know) unfiltered organic craft beer.

I desire to give my opinion of your local organic craft beer!

(Posted with absurd jet lag. I'm in London, getting ready to head to Berlin. I've been up since 9am in CA, and am just powering through until 9pm in Berlin. Wheeee!)

Survived my first night in a hostel. I have learned that Polish guys can really snore.

Jay wrote:

sobe_death wrote: Hell man, another GRM'er in Germany? I'm living about 3 hours north of Berlin right now. Honestly, I've never stayed in a bad hostel in Germany, though the one I did stay at in Berlin had a busted shower on my floor. They are all generally very clean but the cheap ones are very basic; expect a sheet and maybe a pillow if you're lucky. The people working there are usually the best ones to ask about where to find clubs/parties/good cheap food/etc.. It's best to reserve a room in advance pretty much anywhere that isn't a complete hole.

What town are you in then? I'm about 20km west of Berlin. Well, I'm in Toronto at the moment but my usual address is in Potsdam. Will be back in a few weeks. We should have a Berlin meetup sometime. I can bribe you guys with beers and con you into helping fix my Lotus. [ <-- this is the perfect example of what we need the strikethrough tag for in the board update ] OOPS! I mean we can have some beers and generally have a good time! I'd be interested to hear Salanis' opinion of our local (Potsdam only as far as I know) unfiltered organic craft beer.

I'm in Kiel, and I'm down for a meet. I could be bribed with beer to watch somebody else do wiring on a Lotus...