The Tent Munich

The Tent is a unique hostel located in Munich, Germany. It is open during the summer months only. The price is a steal, the atmosphere is laid-back, and it's an experience you'll remember the rest of your trip.

The Location

While the hostel is not directly in the city, it's quite accessible. From the main train station, Munich Hauptbahnhof, take the 17 Tram line in the Amalienburgstrasse direction. After fifteen minutes you will arrive at the Botanischer Garten stop where you exit the tram. From there, a large sign directs guests down a street to the right and to the hostel. The Tent is about a four- or five-minute walk from the tram stop and very easy to find. The Tram Line 17 runs at eight-minute intervals during the day and digital displays at most stops display the arrival time of the next tram. The 17 line is also a night line and runs twenty-four hours a day, so you never have to worry about missing the last tram back to the hostel (especially since the hostel has no curfew). In addition, the 17 line runs to the Marienplatz, Schloss Nymphenburg, and most other notable sights in Munich. There is parking available.

Rooms and Bathrooms

When staying at The Tent, you have three sleeping options -- you can camp on the grounds with your own tent; you can rent a foam pad, blankets, and floor space in a huge tent; or you can get a bed (in bunk beds) inside the massive group tent. The group tent is a massive steel and canvas structure with wooden flooring and real doors. It resembles the more permanent tents that are erected for large parties and events. Giant Japanese lanterns hang from the ceiling of the tent and a real palm tree serves as the tent's centerpiece. Around a hundred basic, steel bunk beds are arranged throughout the tent, with blocks of lockers partitioning off areas of the huge tent. Colorful fitted sheets are on the beds when you arrive, but you can exchange them for clean ones at reception if you like. You are given (mismatched) fleece blankets at check-in and can have as many as you like as long as you return them. However, there are no pillows so a rolled up blanket must be substituted.

Lockers vary in size and are plentiful and for a small charge you can purchase a padlock from reception. The main tent tends to have a bad odor when it has been raining and water is tracked inside. There is also no air conditioning or heat inside the tent, so if it's cold outside, it can be chilly at night when you're sleeping. Just bundle up and you'll be fine!

The bathrooms are located right next to the main tent. For a campground, they are surprisingly modern and clean. There are about twelve toilet stalls, ten shower stalls, and ample sinks and mirrors. The shower stalls have benches and hooks inside each one for belongings and although they are push showers, the water is always hot. The bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned daily which can prove to be a disadvantage as the girls bathroom is closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and girls are forced to dash into the boy's bathroom if they can't hold it!

Common Spaces

Other amenities include a laundry room with washers and dryers (you can use them for a small price); a kitchen with plenty of stove eyes, but no refrigerator; a restaurant that serves breakfast at 7 a.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.; computers with internet access; and a beverage vending machine. You must check out by noon. Upon check-in, the Tent asks to either hold your passport or have a deposit. When you check out you will receive your preferred form of deposit back.

The atmosphere of the Tent definitely sets it apart from other hostels in Munich. The hippie commune lifestyle is reflected at this hostel. Strings of white bulbs illuminate the grounds at night and a bonfire is held nightly. Next to reception, you can find a piano bar and colorful hammocks are strung up by the picnic tables. A crowd of partiers can always be found at the nightly bonfire. You cannot bring your own alcohol into the Tent, but they do sell beer and snacks until very late at night. But beware that the noise of the bonfire hovers at a dull roar and it is located right outside the sleeping tent, so bring earplugs if you have a hard time falling asleep with background noise. And the 1 a.m. silence curfew is not strictly enforced.

Summary

Overall, we were happy with our experience at The Tent. Rain and cold weather put a bit of a damper on our time there, but the hostel has no control over the heavens!

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
August 2007