DJH Jugendherberge Zingst

My daughter was on a school trip there the week before last, and this is what she told us. There wasn't a common room for the children to meet in. One room had a clogged sink, the furnishings were outdated, and the food was apparently below average. The class was nearly sent home because they were said to be too loud, even though it's a place for children and teenagers and neighbors had complained. Some children were verbally abused and insulted in the street, although people were otherwise kind to them. She did have some positive things to say: the woman at reception was nice, the entrance area was nicely designed, and the surroundings were apparently very pleasant. Unfortunately, the trip is going to leave my daughter, her classmates, and their teacher with a rather unpleasant impression. :(

The best part is the location in Zingst, only a few minutes on foot from the beach. Bike rental is available right at the hostel, the staff are very friendly, and it's affordable even in summer. For us, staying here was definitely the right call, especially on a budget. Anyone looking for more comfort would be better off choosing a vacation apartment. It's still a youth hostel, though. The building hasn't been renovated in a while and has that old-school-camp feel, which is acceptable for this kind of place. The room window only tilted, so it could neither be opened fully nor shut properly, and mosquitoes got in. The beds and mattresses were rather uncomfortable, there was no bathroom in the room, and breakfast quality was poor, as you might expect at a youth hostel. Soundproofing was also bad, with children's noise starting as early as 7 a.m.

For the money, it was okay overall when we stayed in mid-July, and what you get matches what the vendors promise. The half-hour window for eating there was our one complaint. That isn't always enough for some people with disabilities, and we would have liked a bit more understanding.

The hostel is conveniently central, with the beach and shopping area easy to reach. Our bungalow for five on the grounds was clean, tidy, spacious, and practical, with furniture that wasn't worn and patio furniture outside. It even had a TV with a good choice of channels, which you don't often see in a youth hostel. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food is what you'd expect from a youth hostel. If you want lots of choice and attractive presentation, you'd need to pay more for a hotel. They do serve hot meals in the evening, and what we had was quite tasty. All in all, it's a place I can recommend. These days, wheelchair access to the dining room would be welcome.