With a shrine to the Hoff and serving currywurst pies, Circus Hostel makes you feel at home like no one else in Berlin.
Location, location, location!
I love the location of the Circus Hostel. Guests are in the prime location of Rosenthaler Platz where you are within easy reach of everything in Berlin. 15 minute walk away is Alexanderplatz. Prenzlauer Berg is up the hill. Right across you have the uber hip St Oberholtz cafe and also Main Haus Am See bar ( open 24/7- need bber, want a coffee at 5am, or doze on their comfy leather sofas, listen to cool dj’s…anything goes )
What kind of crowd can you expect?
Circus Hostel welcomes a nice mix of travellers- backpackers, students and also couples and mature travellers.
What’s it like?
Like other luxury hostels I’ve reviewed so far in this project-this hostel offers the perfect balance of great value, funky vibe and really nice dorms plus private ensuite rooms.
Some of the coolest dorms I’ve seen in a hostel. No bunks. Nicely spaced out beds. Dorms at Circus Hostel-come equipped with private reading light and plug points.
You can even rent a penthouse apartment which comes with a full kitchen and stunning panoramic views of Mitte and TV Tower in the distance.
Lounge of the rooftop apartment, Circus Hostel. Berlin
Staff , like their international guests come from a wide variety of cool backgrounds and are really helpful and friendly. All rooms offer safety deposit boxes and access to shared bathroom facilities.
It’s not strictly what I would call a party hostel but has a nice communal vibe and social atmosphere.
Katz & Maus cafe bar
The on-site bar and café area called Katz and Maus does a great selection of food including the excellent €5 all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast that is served till 1pm.
For lunch or dinner, try their twisted Katz & Maus burgers served with potato salad ( €7.40) or their delicious currywurst pies ( €6.90 ) Coffee here is excellent -beans come from Costa Rica and 10% of revenue goes to charity.
A shrine to the…Hoff?!!!!^^%$$£
There is also the basement Goldman’s Bar which has the unusual feature of a dedicated shrine to the ‘Hoff’ ( complete with free postcards with cool Hoff facts ) who is a cult hero in these parts thanks to his role in the fall of the wall. The Hoff Shrine has been such a hit with guests and locals alike that there are now plans to create a dedicated museum for the Hoff within the hostel. ( Sorry I have no pictures of the Hoff shrine..something you have to see for your own eyes. That’s all I say ) The bar has occasional live music and DJ sets as well as a happy hour every evening.
Guests can chill in the reception and dip into a abundance of tourist literature on the city. The hostel also organise their own free walking tours. Besides bikes, there is also the possibility of renting iPads, iPods or laptops from the reception.
To summarise…
This place is so much more than just a bed for the night.
It provides a real experience and feel of the city. Attention to detail like their awesome DIY walking tours ( start and end at the hostel), option of offering bikes, segways and even rollerblades ( €5) for hire shows that they have thought of every possible need of their guests.
I loved this hostel. The world definitely needs more hostels like Circus.
The Circus Hostel DIY Walking tours of Berlin
Essentials
8/10 bed rooms start from €19 (low season) to €23 (high season)
4/5 bed room from €23 (low season) to €27 (high season)
3 bed room from €27 (low season) to €31 (high season)
Single Room from €56 (Low season) to €60 ( High season)
Double/Twin from €75 (Low season) to €85 (High season)
2 Person Studio from €90 (Low season) to €100 (High season)
4 Person Studio from €150 (Low season) to €160 (High season)
Book at http://www.circus-berlin.de/hostel/ to get the lowest prices
Disclaimer
My stay was courtesy of the awesome folk at Circus Hostel. Big thank you to the legend that is Jurgen Breedijk, manager of the Circus Hostel for being a great host. All the opinions expressed in this piece are mine.
