Ruhrtropolis Hostel

At 39 euros for a weekend single room in Western Europe, this is a bargain. The city-center location is great, near both tram and metro, and it's a fine choice for a short stay at that price. There are handy power outlets by the bed, plus a nightstand, desk, and chair. Just remember it's a budget place: the walls are thin, the second-floor water pressure was horrible, the shower cubicle was extremely cramped, and the bed creaked a lot. Don't expect a quiet room.

The staff were friendly and flexible, and I could add days to my booking on the spot. The room was fine, very clean, and came with towels. Weekdays are mostly quiet, but the sound carries badly: you can hear other guests in every room and everything outside. Some nights there were odd noises for much of the night, like furniture being dragged, knocking, hammering, and creaking doors. If there's a party or concert in the pub, you may as well join in because the noise makes sleep impossible anyway. The pub itself deserves more than five stars, it's amazing, with nice people and good vibes. Insulation isn't great, and Wi-Fi is very weak upstairs. Perfect if this is your kind of vibe.

The downstairs bar can make the hostel a bit noisy, but it's a really good bar and feels like part of the stay. Very good hostel.

A nice hostel right in the heart of Essen. The rooms are upstairs, with reception inside a pub. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. A dorm bed cost 25 €, and you could buy a locker lock for just 3 €.