Meininger City Hostel & Hotel Hamburg is a very new hostel (it opened in early 2009) located conveniently close to Hamburg Altona train station. Large and bright, the hostel is immediately welcoming and feels more hotel than hostel.
The Location
Meininger Hamburg is perfectly located in the Altona area, within easy walking distance of the Altona station. Long distance trains pass through this station, making the hostel location ideal for those traveling through Germany by train. The Altona area has many cheap and varied bars, cafes, and restaurants, and the hostel is located only about a three-minute walk to a large supermarket for those who are self-catering. A fifteen-minute walk takes you to the banks of the River Elbe; for those who are inclined, the Rathaus is an hour-long but very easy walk away. Otherwise, the metro lines are accessible from Altona station.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Rooms at Meininger Hamburg are accessed using key cards and lockers are available in rooms. Dorms range from four to ten beds and doubles and singles are also available. The beds in dorms come in bunk and single configuration, and many bunks have curtains for added privacy. Bedding and towels are provided free of charge, though a deposit is required for towels. The beds themselves are comfortable and large.
Bathrooms are clean and modern, and conveniently the toilet and shower are housed in separate rooms (though still within the room) -- an important feature when dorm-mates are hogging the shower! Water pressure is excellent. However, Meininger Hamburg has installed water saving press-button action showers which are not conducive to a relaxing soak at the end of a long day! Shower rooms have plenty of hanging space and room to change and both shower and toilet have a sink with mirror. Hand and body wash is provided for guests.
Rooms are fitted with a small television and several large windows providing excellent lighting and ventilation. Wireless internet is available for guests who have their own laptop and is, unusually for a hostel, free of charge.
Common Spaces
Meininger Hamburg provides guests with a small kitchen with limited crockery and pots/pans. Within the kitchen is a couch and table with chairs, as well as an internet station. A large fridge for guest use is also provided. In the large reception area is a common area resembling a cafe/bar with booths, tables and couches, mood lighting and, again, several internet terminals. The breakfast room, whose size gives away the vast number of guests able to stay at the hostel at any given time, is spacious and provides another common area for guest to congregate. There is also a small bar attached to hostel.
Guests are able to store their luggage prior to check-in or after check-out free of charge. Breakfast is not provided as part of the bed price. The breakfast is rather expensive -- cereal, juice, tea/coffee, cold meats and cheese, and bread/buns and spread are provided. However, the budget conscious traveler is able to make up rolls to take with him for the day, possibly saving on the expensive of lunch.
Meininger is a very large hostel and potential guests should be aware that school groups book out big sections of it for field trips. This can be an irritation to guests in terms of noise, general commotion and possible delays at check-in/out. Overall, one might describe Meininger Hamburg as a subdued but social hostel. It caters to many ages and tastes, but it is not a party atmosphere. Smoking is not allowed within the building, but is permitted in outside areas.
Summary
In summary, Meininger Hamburg is a very well-maintained and welcoming hostel. It is a shame that breakfast is not provided in the bed price. However the inclusion of linen, towels, and wireless internet access make up for this shortcoming, making the hostel a good choice for the budget-conscious traveler.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2009
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