Jugendherberge Winterberg

It felt pretty impersonal, and I wouldn’t say it’s a good fit for younger kids.

The bus stop nearby was handy since the hostel is quite a way from the town center. There’s also a small outdoor space that works as a soccer field. Getting to the cafeteria takes about five minutes on foot, up and down a little hill. Outside meal times, you pay for drinks, apart from water. We went with our class in the fall, and the stay was okay overall. The food was average and comes down to taste. They only served vegan meals. I appreciate that vegans and people with allergies were considered, but I missed having any meat. The rooms were small, had no private bathrooms, and we had to clean them ourselves. I also didn’t like that the mattress wasn’t made from natural materials. Drinks aside, the hostel seems suitable for school trips, though I’d choose a somewhat pricier, more comfortable place.

Because I had my dog with me, I was placed in the guesthouse. The room was clean and had a great view, and the staff were friendly when I spoke with them. There’s also a playroom for children. The practical side was frustrating: the toilet wouldn’t flush properly, water pressure was very low, and getting hot water took at least 3-5 minutes. There was no Wi-Fi in the guesthouse. If I turned on the Wi-Fi in the dining room, it stopped connecting in the common area. Eating in the common area was forbidden. When I gave my 1-year-old daughter something to eat, I was told that even small children couldn’t be fed there. I argued that she couldn’t go without food from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but that didn’t change anything. I found the rule unchild-friendly.

The ski bus stops right outside, so getting to all the ski areas is easy. Inside, the rooms are modern, and the food was really good, especially breakfast. The staff were helpful and always approachable. A great youth hostel.