Frankfurt Central Hostel

It looked cheap, but I ended up paying more than at other hostels that were far better. There were a lot of hidden extra costs you were forced to pay: 2 € per day for a locker, since they said they wouldn't be responsible if anything was stolen; 3€ for linens; and 10 Euros per day for extra luggage. You also couldn't stay in the lobby after 11, while the rooms were poorly ventilated and extremely hot. The pillows looked like they came from a garbage site or something, and some guys reported bed bugs. Drinks cost double their price. Alcohol wasn't allowed unless you bought it from them 😃 The woman at reception tried to help, but her husband was rude, especially when drunk. Worst hostel experience ever...

My stay at the Frankfurt Central Hostel was brief, but it included the owner grabbing me and pinning me against a wall, elbowing me in the face, kicking my glasses and cell phone after they fell, gripping my shirt hard enough to leave cuts and bruises on my chest, throwing my backpack with my DSLR camera in it over his head at my face, and hurling my other bag with ceramics inside against the wall. He also threatened to kill me if I ever came back. What could have set him off so badly? Earlier that night, I booked through Expedia. After walking 40 minutes with my heavy bags, I arrived at the hostel, was buzzed in, and was promptly told by the owner that he'd cancelled my booking because the price was too low. He wanted more than twice the amount I'd reserved for a bed in an 8 person room, 45 euros. He also said my card hadn't processed the room charge, but he wasn't authorized to charge it, certainly not for 45 euros. The reservation terms said I was to pay 21 euros at the hostel. Like anyone who's worked on consumer protection issues, I tried to show him the reservation on my phone, including the price and payment terms. He wouldn't hear it. Halfway through my explanation, he grabbed me and went on to do the things I described. It's up to you whether this man deserves your business, but buyer beware if you find what looks like a deal online.

After traveling for over a year and visiting more than 30 countries, this was easily the worst hostel I've stayed in. It was incredibly stressful. There was only one bathroom for 100 people, and in the morning there was no mirror to get ready unless you shared the only mirror and water supply with five others. Guests weren't allowed to eat in their rooms, and you couldn't remain in the lobby after midnight. I even had to go to the bathroom at night to make a call. Almost everything came with an extra charge: using the kitchen, printing a single black-and-white page for 1 euro, or getting a replacement WiFi password for 5 euro if you lost yours. They also switched off the WiFi before checkout, so you couldn't use it until you left. The owners seemed focused on getting good reviews and more guests. The owner tried to come across as nice, but I didn't find him nice at all. He hit guests, made fun of people he didn't like, and came into your room to check that you weren't breaking the rules. Don't go there.

The bed wasn't clean, especially the pillow, and the whole booking turned into a mess. I arrived exactly at 2300, but the front desk guy refused to check me in, saying it had to be before 2300 even though the earlier notice said check-in was available until then. My order was cancelled without a refund over a trivial, nearly nonsensical issue, leaving me to find somewhere else after a long day of travel. When I checked in the next day, it turned out no registration was required. The same guy simply handed me a key without even asking for my passport. The rules felt absurd and ironic, and his manner was arrogant and rude. Terrible customer service and unpleasant hygiene. Booking here was a mistake.