Amstel House Hostel

Amstel House Hostel is a great value -- a very large, very clean building situated in a nice quiet residential area. The hostel offers tours, bike rentals, free linens, and luggage storage and is equipped with a great staff on hand to help you out.

The Location

It's set in a quiet residential area just outside of the "center" of Berlin's main attractions. Not the place to be if you want to be near the action, but there is a decent amount of commerce (pharmacy, supermarket, department store) just two blocks away. Upon exiting the metro, the hostel can be a little tricky to find. Since it is nestled on a back street that runs parallel to the main road (Turmstrasse), it would be best to find detailed directions before venturing out to find it. The metro is not too far from the hostel, about a five-minute walk.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms have a great set-up and the bunk beds are some of the best you'll find -- very sturdy wood with individual personal shelving and a light. (Some rooms have steel bunks which tend to be noisier.) Each room has a sink with mirror and plenty of closet space. The hallways have multiple doors to dampen sound at night -- a very nice feature. The bathrooms are communal and very clean. And as an added bonus for any backpacker, the water is hot and the pressure is excellent!

Common Spaces

The hostel opens up into a very spacious, communal area with three computers situated at the front for paid internet access (Wi-Fi is free). The charge for internet is reasonable. The large common area has many tables and chairs, which makes privacy and space easy to find. However, the first floor seems to be more of a corridor for foot traffic and web surfers rather than a place to mingle. The first floor also has a nice bar area serving a decent selection of beer, bottled water, and soda.

Summary

This hostel is both clean and very welcoming as far as dorms go and creates the feel of a nice hotel setting. The staff are a good mix of people willing to help with any questions you may have. Breakfast is provided for a fee, but is not anything to write home about -- just the standard bread, honey/jelly, cereal, coffee, and juice. Location could be a little better, but it's not a deal breaker. Overall this place is a terrific value, and a good base to experience Berlin.

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