Dirt Cheap Berlin - Budget travel guide to hostels, hotels, restaurants and attractions - http://www.dirtcheapberlin.com
Ostel - The DDR hotel that doesn't stink of mothballs
http://www.dirtcheapberlin.com/articles/20/1/Ostel---The-DDR-hotel-that-doesnt-stink-of-mothballs/Page1.html
By Matt Robinson
Published on 01/12/2008
 
Everything in this hostel has been intimately planned to recreate the ideal DDR experience, when half of Germany was brown/grey and had images of some strange glasses-wearing gimp everywhere (Erich Hoenecker). They have 33 rooms available, all furnished in a traditional DDR style, and there's even a TV set in the reception that's playing East German television reels throughout the day.

Feels like 1981 all over again
Everything in this hostel has been intimately planned to recreate the ideal DDR experience, when half of Germany was brown/grey and had images of some strange glasses-wearing gimp everywhere (Erich Hoenecker). They have 33 rooms available, all furnished in a traditional DDR style, and there's even a TV set in the reception that's playing East German television reels throughout the day.

Within walking distance is the excellent Maria am Ostbahnhof club, which has nothing to do with East German nostalgia (or Ostalgie as it's come to be known). The nearest train station is Ostbahnhof, it's so close you could kick a cabbage to it. In the summer the hostel has a rather relaxing summer garden, although this was disturbed somewhat last year by the building works going on in the area.

Behind the hostel there is also the Berhain/Panorama bar nighclub. If you know what this is then you'll realise why being close to it is worthwhile.

Price examples
Between €38 and €51, depending on room

Why is it a good choice for a budget traveller?
Because you might as well get the entire East Berlin experience, whilst in East Berlin

Where
Wriezener Karree 5, near to Ostbanhof station

Homepage address
What do you mean internet address? There was no internet in the DDR.

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