The Circus was a great place to stay. It was so close to the station that I actually got lost. I didn't think the entrance would actually be literally opposite the s-bahn exit. The sheets were clean and starched and the beds were VERY comfy. There were no bunk beds and the rooms were actually quite nice. Showers were clean and there was plenty of hot water - AND there was water pressure. Do you know how rare that is?????? Each bed had its own nightstand and a small lamp and the rooms had a nice radiator as well as windows that open.My only complaint was the lack of a kitchen. The other Circus hostel I'm told is quite good too but with a kitchen. It would've been perfect except for three 19 year old American girls who decided that they had to discuss - loudly - if they wanted a shower now(4:30 am) or later when they wake up.And please go and do a walking tour of Berlin. It is simply the best introduction to Berlin and a good history lesson as well. I did Terry Brewer's(NOT a pubcrawl, like I initially thought) walk. I can definitely recommend him. He knows his stuff and he's also quite funny. Just make sure you're willing to walk for 8+ hours.Berlin is great - enjoy.
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(Review ID: 3301)
The Best of the Big Hostels, April 7, 2003
Reviewer:
Matthew Williams
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
More like staying in a modern hotel than a hostel, the Circus had clean, bright spacious rooms furnished in IKEAs finest home-range.The bathrooms like the rooms were spotless and the showers were very good.The whole place is very secure, with hotel-style credit card keys, and a lift to all floors. The reception is comfortable with fast internet access.The staff were surprisingly helpful for a big hostel, and keen to recommend places to eat, drink and visit, and to share their knowledge of uber-cool Berlin.The bar is a funky sort of a place and the attached cafe does a very good value buffet breakfast to set you up for the day.With a nearby laundry, excellent subway links to the rest of the city and a pretty safe feel to the location this is a highly recommended, good-value option for your stay in Berlin.
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(Review ID: 3302)
Believe It, March 29, 2003
Reviewer:
Jeremy
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
We came to Circus with high expectations, given all the positive reviews, and this place definitely lived up to its billing. The staff was great, the rooms were modern and extremely clean, the showers were clean and hot, the reception area was mellow and cool, and the hostel is right in front of you when you step off the U-Bahn. The Rosa-Luxemburg stop is right on the U2 line, which is one of the main ones running through the center of Berlin, so its quite convenient. Be sure to ask about renting one of the hostel's transportation passes, because for 4 euros a day you'll be able to utilize the entire Berlin transit system and save quite a few bucks (a single train ticket is 2.10). Also ask the staff about restaurants and pubs in the area. The hostel is in what used to be East Berlin and there are some really cool neighborhoods close by. I'll definitely stay here again next time I travel to Berlin.
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(Review ID: 3303)
Unbelievable, February 17, 2003
Reviewer:
Hannah Zoe
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
My first and only reaction upon arriving at this hostel was absolute and complete shock. I felt like I was staying at the W in San Fransico and should have been paying at least 10 times as much. This hostel has everything, staying here is truely a welcomed relief from the extensive array of crappy european hostels. The staff is courteous and act as if they actually care about you. Be sure to take Mr. Brewer's tour of Berlin- Terry is the best!
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3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 3304)
A fine balance, October 9, 2002
Reviewer:
João Lopes
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This hostel is an example to all the others as it provides, in a very short amount of space most of the demands a traveller can have: friendly, efficient and helpfull staff, clean and furnished rooms, easy information to the city, a very easy to socialize comunal area, clean and smart bathrooms, very good situation (a metro station right in the front of the door), they borrow books for taking to the city, feels very safe, and simple decor. And they book you hostels in other countries for free. If it can be considered as drawbacks, the internet-as everywhere else in Germany- is expensive, and the bar downstairs is not as alive as some years ago. It's a very goog point reference in the hosteling world, and a case study for those wanting to start one .
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3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 3305)
so clean, happy, friendly, modern!, September 7, 2002
Reviewer:
lisa
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
i loved staying at the circus hostel. i stayed in the newer building and all the people who worked there were so friendly and helpful. the rooms were so open and freshly painted. if you were lucky you were able to have a real bed (no bunk beds!). the rooms had card key locks. the breakfast was great. it has so many little restaurants around it that offer a discount to people from the circus hostels. middle eastern food, thai, italian, indian! in the room there is also a list of clubs and bars that give discounts to circus hostel patrons. also if you ask, sometimes they have passes for the metro which they will rent to you. lots of fun people stay here, and berlin is one of the best places i've been to!
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(Review ID: 3306)
Excellent Hostel, August 31, 2002
Reviewer:
Barnyard Slut
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This is an excellent hostel in Mitte, the old centre of East Berlin and still the best place to stay in the city. It's right next to the Rosa-Lux U-Bahn as well as a bunch of bars and contemporary art galleries. It's also a very short walk from Alexander Platz, home of Socialist chic and the TV tower. Everyone is very helpful, it's spotless and cheap.
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3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 3307)
Best hostel in Europe, July 19, 2002
Reviewer:
Steve
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
Everything about the Circus was a positive experience for me. The staff was by far the most helpful of any I stayed at throughout Europe. The rooms are very nice, there's Internet access, ice-cold drinks, and comfortable beds. This place is a quick U ride from the Zoo and is real near to most of the major attractions of Berlin. Although I didn't care to much for the city itself, this hostel is too good to pass up.
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(Review ID: 3308)
Stay Here! So Wonderful... So Helpful!, May 20, 2002
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
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Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I loved this hostel so much... I was sad to leave it and Berlin (my most favourite European city thus far). The rooms are beautifully decorated. The double room I stayed in was IKEA-tastic. The furniture was nice wood (wood bed frames, wood tables, wood chairs with a wicker base). The walls were painted cheerily and artistically (my room was yellow and white... I don't know if they're all like this). The hanging clothing racks, the cute nightstands, the framed posters of Berlin cityscapes, and the _real_ plants made me feel happy and at home. The price included sheets, fluffy comforters, and big soft pillows! The only downside to this hostel was the lack of an included breakfast and the lack of kitchen facilities. But the proximity to grocery facitilies and cheap falafel take-out places helped me save money even without these things. And the service... WOW! You can tell that this hostel _really_ considers the needs of its guests... we met about five different receptionists during the length of our stay and every single one of them was super friendly (but not in that sickeningly fake way) and incredibly helpful. The bathrooms were spotless. The location was fabulous... close to the east starting point for Original Berlin Walks tours and to all the major historical sights (ie. Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz, Berlin Wall, etc). Berlin is really spread out, so we still had to take the u-bahn and s-bahn to most places... but the Circus hostel's 1 second walk to the Rosa-Luxemburg u-bahn station made transportation easy. Also - ask about the hostel's public transportation passes. These saved my travel partner and me a fortune. For 4 euros a day each, we had unlimited public transportation in zones A & B (the ones most backpackers will use)... when you consider that each trip in these zones costs 2.10 euros, you will realize how much we saved! Just make sure you ask early and often about these as the hostel only has 6 passes in total and they are in high demand. The good thing is that once you have a pass you can hold onto it for the length of your stay and simply pay for the number of days you used it when you hand it back in when you check-out. Do stay at Circus (Rosa-Luxemburg)... the prices are right and the service and atmosphere are unbelievable.
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8 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 3309)
VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL, May 9, 2002
Reviewer:
Neel
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
The hostel staff are very friendly all of them, the added bonus being excellent location (merto : Rosa Luxembourg Platz) , transportation from the hostel.Alexanderplatz is 5 minute walking distance, after nightclubbing many NIGHT BUSes go via Alex..platz.The hostel is clean and very good value for money .Again I must mention,the staff are very helpful.
