Jugendherberge Eichstätt

The food was superb, whether breakfast or dinner, and the staff deserve a huge compliment for what they manage in that tiny kitchen. We had the exact opposite experience recently in Berchtesgaden. The team here sets a very high standard. My son says the hot chocolate was the best ever. There are movies every evening, games in excellent condition, and space outside for table tennis and football. Eichstätt has lots to explore too, including the castle, quarry, hiking, and the town itself. We came with our son and loved it. The owner gave us a really warm welcome, and when we asked to change something, he went out of his way to help. The rooms are typical youth hostel rooms, practical and functional, though we found a lot of dust between the bed and wall after dropping our Kindle. They should pay more attention there. Showers are very small but manageable, and the sanitary facilities are dated but clean and adequate. We'd love to return. Everyone puts in the work to make guests feel welcome.

The detail our son loved most was the stairwells, which are lined with genuine Solnhofen limestone slabs. You can see ammonites and fossils on almost every step, so even climbing the stairs became an adventure. We came to Eichstätt to look for fossils and dinosaurs, and the nearby quarry is a great option: hammers and chisels are available to borrow for free. For groups, the campfire area with stick bread is also a highlight in the evening, and it's easy to arrange in advance. We stayed three days as a family and felt very comfortable. The hostel is well organized, family friendly, and especially suitable for groups, children, and outdoor enthusiasts. Staff at reception, in the kitchen, and the caretaker were consistently helpful and friendly, and answered questions quickly. The food was some of the best we've had at a youth hostel. Breakfast included the usual choices plus quark, spreads, and fresh fruit, with plenty for everyone. The raspberry yogurt for dessert was a pleasant surprise, real yogurt instead of an artificial powdered dessert. We have celiac disease and the gluten-free meals worked perfectly. There were gluten-free rolls or muesli at breakfast, and the kitchen staff often brought a separate bowl to prevent cross-contamination at the buffet. If you're eating gluten-free, it's worth going early while the buffet is still clean and fresh. Both room types we tried were clean. The private bathroom room was much more comfortable, with newer facilities, a power outlet by every bed, and an extra door to the hallway that reduced noise. The room without bathroom facilities was fine but less comfortable. Shared bathrooms on the same floor were regularly cleaned and in good condition. Rooms with private bathrooms had shower gel and soap. It would be great if more rooms had private bathrooms, since the comfort difference is noticeable. There's a shared refrigerator with a freezer compartment in the so-called "leader's room". Vending machines in the basement sell snacks, drinks, and beer, and there's air hockey for a fee as well as foosball. Board games are available to borrow. Outside, you can use balls, playground equipment, and a slackline, and there are several ping-pong tables and a volleyball court. There aren't classic playground structures like swings or seesaws, but there's plenty of open space and nature to play in. The Eichstätt Youth Hostel is a clear recommendation for families, school groups, and fossil enthusiasts. Good food, helpful staff, well-designed facilities, and the area's unique geology made for a thoroughly enjoyable stay.

A couple of things could be better: we could have used more than one key per room, and the building has lots of stairs and isn't wheelchair accessible. Still, the weekend had far more good than bad. The food was genuinely excellent, even for someone as picky as me, and there was plenty of fully vegan food. It's less than ten minutes from the train station, and the staff were friendly, accommodating, and happy to answer questions. The rooms and bathrooms looked attractive and welcoming. The German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) is LGBTQ+ friendly and makes queer guests feel welcome. A successful stay, and I'd gladly come back.

The food tastes great, though there was too much of it for a hike. Still, good overall.