I stayed at the Circus Hostel in Berlin, Germany for two nights in December 2022 during my Christmas Market research tour.

Here are the pros and cons.

Pros

The hostel was clean. The beds were comfy and cozy. There are power outlets by each bed. There was also a little shelf by the upper bunks with the power outlets so you could put your phone to charge it. It was big enough to also place other things you might need at night (like a water bottle) and an added “bonus” is you got this hilarious picture of David Hasselhoff right there by your bed. Ahh…the Germans and their fascination with David Hasselhoff.

Friendliness

The staff was super nice and helpful. They gave me tips on my first day there on things to see and do. They gave me a map of the city and recommended the Christmas markets they thought would be the best to visit. They also have a deal with a local walking tour company that lets you have a discount on walking tours.

Fun Lobby Area

The lobby area was really fun. They have this huge giraffe in the lobby area which I thought was entertaining. It was also Christmas time, so there was a big Christmas tree near the area where people could work while looking out over the city. Had I worked while I was in Berlin, I would have definitely taken advantage of this space. Right next to the lobby is the café.

Security

There are lockers in each room, but you need to provide your own lock. They also ask that if you have any valuables, that you do not keep them in the lockers, but rather store them in the secure locations behind the reception desk. I had read on a review that someone had complained about getting something stolen and the hostel’s response was like, “well you should have used our free secure area behind the reception desk like we asked you to.” I did not want to take a chance with my laptop and wallet with extra cash and cards, so I placed them both in a plain black cloth bag and had them secured behind the reception desk. The rest of my things I locked in my locker.

Cons

No Kitchen

There wasn’t a kitchen at the hostel that I could find.  They had a café, but it had limited hours. I would much prefer having a kitchen than a café!

S…L…O…W Elevators!

The elevators were SLOW. Like PAINFULLY slow. It took a long time to get up and down from the rooms and I wasn’t a big fan of the wait. The stairs were not an easy option because in order to use them you had to go outside (I was there in December so the cold wasn't enticing) to access the stairs. Or you could wait until the elevator came and walk through the elevator to access the stairwell, which was pretty pointless if you were trying to avoid waiting for the elevator.  

Quite Dark

It was quite dark in the upper floors of the hostel where the dorm rooms and bathrooms are located. There were no windows in the hallways, which obviously would make them extra dark. And the rooms did have windows, but the wall paint was a darker color, so it made things feel darker. I’m more of a fan of natural light. Even I I have to sleep in the daytime, I’d just use an eye mask in lieu of having a really dark room.

Location Was Okay

The location was okay. It was right by a tram; however, it was far from the central station which makes it more difficult for coming and going from the city, in my opinion. It was also a little hard to find this particular hostel. Nearby there’s a Castle Hotel, and I confused the two at first. The hostel is actually located across the street from the hotel, just as an FYI, in a triangular part of the street.  

Bathrooms Were “Okay”

The bathrooms were “okay.” The showers were big, which was nice, but they didn’t feel super updated. They were clean, but just had a slight musty odor. I always wear shower shoes, so that wasn’t a big deal, but these showers still just weren’t my favorite. The showers are also unisex, so if that’s an issue for you, just realize that. To explain that further, everyone has their own shower stall that can lock and the stall is big enough inside for you to shower and get dressed. So, I personally did not have an issue with that part of the bathroom situation.

Only USB by Beds

While there were power outlets by the beds, they were just USB outlets. So, if you need a traditional outlet to charge your laptop or other devices, you’ll need to find somewhere else.

Star Rating

I give the Circus Hostel a 4 out of 5 rating. I did like it here; however, the slow elevators were a pain and the lack of a kitchen wasn’t awesome. Plus, I wasn’t a huge fan of the location. I would probably find a different option the next time I’m in Berlin, just to see what other hostels have to offer.

FAQ: Circus Hostel Berlin Review

The hostel was clean, and the beds were described as comfy and cozy. Each bed had power outlets and a shelf for convenience. A humorous picture of David Hasselhoff added a quirky touch to the ambiance.

The staff was friendly and helpful, providing valuable tips for exploring Berlin, including the best Christmas markets. They also facilitated discounts for walking tours through a local company.

The lobby area was vibrant and engaging, featuring a large giraffe sculpture and a Christmas tree during the holiday season. This space offered a comfortable working area and was connected to the hostel's café.

Guests can use lockers in their rooms but are advised to store valuables at the secure area behind the reception desk. This added layer of security aims to prevent theft and ensure guests' peace of mind.

• No Kitchen: The hostel lacked a kitchen, which was seen as a downside compared to having a café.
• Slow Elevators: The elevators were painfully slow, causing inconvenience for guests moving between floors.
• Dark Interiors: The upper floors lacked windows in the hallways, and the rooms' darker paint contributed to a sense of darkness.
• Location: While close to a tram stop, the hostel's distance from the central station and challenging visibility made its location less favorable.

The bathrooms were considered "okay." While clean and offering spacious showers, some musty odor was noticed. The showers were unisex and individual stalls provided privacy.

Though power outlets were available by the beds, they were only USB outlets. Guests needing traditional outlets for devices like laptops had to look elsewhere.