Baxpax Hostel MitteEditor's Pick

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Back in 1997, long before scores of privately-run hostels and pensions popped up in Berlin, Mitte’s Baxpax Hostel opened its doors to backpackers who couldn’t afford a hotel, but weren’t interested in the government-run youth hostels. Still chugging along after all these years (and recently touched up), the three-story hostel, one of three Baxpax in Berlin, is not the sleekest of hostels, but it is one of the homiest. Located in a former hat factory on Mitte's Chauseestrasse, it is only steps from a bus stop and U-bahn station and is within walking distance to Oranienburgerstrasse.

Various artists and staff members painted the walls of the rooms (singles, doubles, and dorms) according to their whims. We love the "Skyline Room," simply adorned with the cityscapes of Berlin, Sydney, and New York. The "Elements" dorm, with its dark and stormy images of a huge wave, clouds, fire, and a mountain, is more dramatic. Dorms and rooms, spread out over two floors, are stocked with wire bunks—and not much else. The worn hallway bathrooms could use an upgrade, but they’re clean.

The staff, led by the welcoming and relaxed manager, Alexandra Salazar, mixes and mingles with guests in the lounge-kitchen-lobby area, which was renovated in 2009. Once or twice a week, Alexandra orchestrates simple group dinners. “It’s like being a guest in someone’s home,” she told us. “We just take a look at what we have in the kitchen and make a meal together.”

Amenities here, which include bike rental and Internet terminals, are thin compared to newer and shinier hostels. However, few other hostels offer such a chilled-out atmosphere.

» Susan Buzzelli

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.