Heart of Gold Hostel & Capsules Berlin

I slept well and found the bed comfortable, even with several capsules in the room and no soundproofing. The capsules are cozy, with LEDs, a USB outlet and a door that locks. As a woman traveling alone, I felt safe and welcome. Check-in was easy, though you do have to make your own bed. Tea and coffee were freely available. There is a kitchen, but it was extremely busy. I never found the bathrooms dirty, though there were only two women's toilets and five showers for around 20 capsules in the room. I never had to wait.

For a little over 20 Euros a night, our two-person capsule gave us a good night's sleep, and that's a hard price to beat in central Berlin. I wouldn't call it the best hostel I've stayed in, but it was decent value and we had a good time. We visited in February, so I'm not sure whether ventilation inside the capsule might be a problem in summer. It could vary for others.

The location worked perfectly for my week at Humboldt University, and the hostel was great value beside the other options. My single room was fine, with a surprisingly comfortable mattress. I knew there wouldn't be an en suite, though I would have preferred one. The shower pressure was outstanding, while the pillows were poor. The common area was comfortable, the staff were friendly, and the American at the desk had an outstanding music selection. This morning it was all Jack White. Getting a beer took a bit too long. I also liked the other guests: when the elevator was out this morning and an older man was struggling on the stairs, a new arrival asked if I needed help. I love that kind of gesture.

Very good hostel, though I wouldn't choose it for remote work. A workspace costs €10 a day. If you work from reception, that area closes around 1 p.m. for an hour or two of cleaning, sending everyone to the often noisy kitchen. I don't really understand closing the space in the middle of the day. Why not clean at night? My girlfriend and I shared a capsule in a room with six. The others were considerate and kept the noise down. The toilets have an odd smell even though they're cleaned every day, but they're spread around the hostel, so I rarely had to wait.