Sleep Cheap Hostel is a fine bargain. The hostel has character -- once you break through its imperfections, the place shines in a bright Berliner way.
The Location
The hostel is located on the S-Bahn ring right next to the Westend station just of the western edge of Charlottenburg. It is possible to walk to the city center -- this takes about one hour, as does the walk to Tegel Airport. With public transportation most points on the west side of the city are quickly accessible. The central bus station (ZOB am Funkturm) and the Berliner Messe are a simple fifteen-minute walk away. The area is not particularly eventful, but there are plenty of grocery stores, bakeries, and numerous funeral parlors neighboring the hostel. There is a nearby call center and a Postbank ATM is also in the area. Also the Charlottenburg Palace, one of Berlin's most attractive buildings, is just a five-minute walk down the main street.
Although the S-Bahn doesn't run directly to most places of interest, it's worth checking out the MetroBus connections as they may expedite your travel to the city's sights. One good option is riding for about twenty minutes to the Zoo Station on the MetroBus from in front of the hostel and then jumping on the public double decker bus number 100 there, which makes a run past all of the main attractions.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm rooms are converted apartments facing into an inner courtyard. The dorms have more or less en-suite bathrooms, which retain a decent state of cleanliness and plenty of hot water. The dorms for the most part are smaller around four beds. There are also larger rooms with ten beds though. When the hostel is not full the staff are careful to arrange the guests so as many as possible get their own rooms. You may very well end up with a private four-bed room for a very low price. The beds are old and simple albeit for the most part quite and comfortable. Don't be scared by their army look -- most hostelers we talked to got a very good night's sleep. You may rent bed linen if you don't bring your own.
Common Spaces
There is a common area at the reception -- plenty of sofa room there. There is also one computer with high speed internet for free. Luggage may be left at the reception. The receptionists and staff are quite friendly -- although they may not always be at the desk, there is a bell that you can ring for prompt service. Bottled drinks are for sale. A kitchen is also available for your use. It is adequately supplied with appliances and dishes. The hostel is very quite for the most part but at the same time there are plenty of friendly conversations. The place does attract some strange people at assorted points in their lives, but they are generally relaxed and friendly. This is a popular spot for people to stay on their way into or out of apartment life in Berlin.
Summary
Sleep Cheap Hostel is a great deal in one of Europe's cheapest capitals. The hostel does have its faults -- it can be a bit musty and the security isn't perfect, but all in all it's a great deal, if you don't mind riding the metro to get to the sites. This hostel is for the hostelers who appreciate a place they can sleep, cook a meal, check their e-mail, and save money while doing all of that.
-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
Location/Contact
