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Summary of reviews'Station - Hostel for Backpackers' in Cologne is highly celebrated by guests for its exceptional location. Situated centrally, it's mere steps from Cologne's main train station and the iconic Cologne Cathedral, making it an ultra-convenient choice for travelers. The lively neighborhood, brimming with bars, restaurants and attractions, enhances the appeal, offering easy access and exploration of the city.
The hostel provides a commendable dining experience with breakfast lauded for its affordability and variety, though some guests wish it started earlier. Dinner at the on-site bar and restaurant receives praise for its cozy atmosphere, excellent value and quality cuisine, including vegan options. The beer garden and rooftop space are attractive features for socializing and relaxation.
Rooms are generally spacious and clean with comfortable single beds noted as a plus over typical bunk beds. Amenities are basic but sufficient, meeting the needs of budget travelers. However, some issues with noise, wear and tear and occasional cleanliness lapses are reported, especially in the communal areas and bathrooms.
Staff at the hostel are consistently praised for their friendliness and helpfulness, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. Their warm and accommodating nature enhances the overall stay, making guests feel welcomed and supported.
WiFi quality varies with some guests reporting good connectivity and speed, while others experience slow and unreliable service in different parts of the hostel. The nightlife scene around the hostel is vibrant, attracting a young and energetic crowd but also leading to significant nighttime noise that can disrupt sleep.
Beds are generally comfortable, although some guests find the mattresses too hard or the plastic covers uncomfortable. Noise from the beds themselves and subpar pillows are noted as areas for improvement.
In summary, 'Station - Hostel for Backpackers' stands out for its unbeatable location, friendly staff and vibrant dining and social atmosphere. While it offers good value for money, particularly for those prioritizing centrality and social experiences, some improvements in cleanliness, soundproofing and WiFi quality could enhance the overall guest experience. Show more
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Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Located in Köln, this hostel provides easy access to the city's nightlife. Its central location allows guests to walk to many bars and clubs. The hostel offers budget-friendly accommodations, making it a suitable base for exploring Köln's entertainment scene.
Cheap Hostel
This hostel is centrally located near the main train station and Cologne Cathedral. It features amenities such as free internet, laundry facilities, and a bar/restaurant, providing convenience and value for backpackers.
Room Types
Single Room with Shared BathroomBrightly decorated room with complimentary toiletries and a towel.
Single Room with BathroomBrightly decorated room with a private bathroom. A towel is included.
Double Room with BathroomBrightly decorated room with a private bathroom. Towels are included.
Twin Room with Shared BathroomBrightly decorated room with access to shared bathroom facilities. Towels are included.
Triple Room with Shared BathroomBrightly decorated room with access to shared bathroom facilities. Towels are included.
Quadruple Room with BathroomBrightly decorated room with a private bathroom.
Quadruple Room with Shared BathroomBrightly decorated room with access to shared bathroom facilities.
Single Bed in Mixed 6-Bed Dormitory Room with Shared BathroomBed in a dormitory room with shared bathroom facilities.
Single Bed in mixed 5 Bed Dormitory Room with shared BathroomThis bed in dormitory has a tile/marble floor and washing machine.
Guest Reviews
7.1
Good
Location
The 'Station - Hostel for Backpackers' boasts an exceptional location that has received overwhelming praise from its guests. Centrally positioned in Cologne, it is just steps away from the main train station and the iconic Cologne Cathedral, making it incredibly convenient for travelers. The surrounding neighborhood is lively, filled with bars, restaurants and other attractions, allowing easy exploration of the city. Not only is it near major tourist spots, but it's also a practical choice for those arriving by train, offering an easy and quick transition to their accommodation. The central setting ensures that all significant points of interest are within walking distance, making it a superb base for both short and extended visits to Cologne. The friendly staff and clean facilities further enhance the stay, but it's the unbeatable location that truly stands out, providing an excellent balance between affordability, convenience and accessibility.
Breakfast
Station - Hostel for Backpackers offers a commendable breakfast experience, highlighted by its affordability and variety. Guests frequently praise the breakfast as being good, great and economical with some particularly noting the buffet style as being plentiful and offering a good selection of items. The hostel offers different breakfast options, including an 'all-inclusive' breakfast and simpler choices at around 4 euros, making it accessible for various budgets.
Despite the positive remarks on the quality and price, several reviews mention that the breakfast start time of 8:30 or 9:00 am is a bit late for early risers. Some guests expressed a desire for an earlier breakfast start time. While the breakfast is generally well-received for its value, a few reviews noted it as basic but fair with one or two guests feeling it could have been better.
Guests appreciated the friendly and kind staff at the breakfast area, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. The location of the hostel further enhances its appeal, providing a convenient spot to start the day after enjoying a satisfying morning meal. Overall, the breakfast at Station - Hostel for Backpackers is a favorable option for travelers seeking a good, low-cost meal to begin their day.
Dinner
Station - Hostel for Backpackers offers a vibrant and affordable dining experience that has received a lot of praise from guests. Centrally located, the hostel features an on-site bar and restaurant which many visitors found very convenient and enjoyable. The bar area is described as cozy, lively and often bustling with a friendly atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to socialize with friends or other travelers over drinks or dinner.
The establishment includes a cool beer garden and an inviting rooftop space where guests can relax. The menu offers an unexpectedly high quality of cuisine with a great selection of dishes, including options for vegans. Many diners found the food to be of excellent value for money with some standout dishes mentioned such as pasta and beef specials. The bar is noted for its low prices and a good variety of cocktails, adding to its appeal.
Though some reviews mentioned that the bar is closed on Mondays and had occasional operational hours, the overall experience remains positive with guests enjoying the good vibes and entertainment options available. While the restaurant received mixed mentions of availability, when open, it provided both excellent food and a great atmosphere, contributing significantly to the hostel's charm and allure.
Overall, the Station - Hostel for Backpackers stands out not just for its location, but also for its exceptional bar and dining services, which greatly enhance the guest experience.
Rooms
Station - Hostel for Backpackers offers a mix of single and multi-bed rooms that cater predominantly to budget-conscious travelers. The rooms are generally spacious, clean and come with comfortable single beds as opposed to bunk beds, which many guests appreciate. Many rooms are reported to have basic but satisfactory amenities, including a decent mattress, clean linens and essential furnishings like sinks and mirrors. Larger dorm rooms often include convenient features such as individual lamps, sockets, hooks for clothing and lockable cabinets in shared hallways.
While some single rooms are noted as compact, they are equipped with everything a solo traveler might need. Rooms that include private bathrooms are viewed positively, often described as being clean and comfortable. Guests who stayed in shared accommodations appreciated that despite the simplicity, the rooms were adequately spacious and met their needs.
However, the hostel does have some drawbacks. Noise can be an issue, especially from street traffic, neighboring rooms and heavy doors that tend to slam shut. Some rooms were reported to show signs of wear and tear with occasional cleanliness concerns such as messy conditions and unpleasant smells. Bathrooms, both private and shared, were sometimes criticized for their lack of maintenance and privacy.
The hostel’s furnishings and facilities are noted to be very basic with some rooms resembling hospital rooms due to their stark simplicity. Equipment in certain rooms seemed outdated and few rooms reportedly suffered from problems like defective windows, power issues or lack of privacy due to missing curtains.
Despite these issues, the hostel's prime location and value for money are consistently highlighted as strong points. Its proximity to central train stations and other attractions makes it a convenient choice for travelers. The overall experience is described as suitable for short stays where the primary purpose is a place to sleep rather than extensive comfort.
Beds
Beds at 'Station - Hostel for Backpackers' receive mixed reviews from guests, focusing on both commendable aspects and notable drawbacks. The highlights include comfortable and cozy single beds with no bunk beds providing a spacious and free feel. The mattresses generally received positive comments for comfort, although some guests found them hard or somewhat uncomfortable. Cleanliness was also appreciated with beds often described as neatly made and the bedding as freshly laundered.
However, several concerns were raised. The plastic covers on some mattresses caused discomfort for guests and there were numerous complaints about beds being noisy or creaky. Some guests found the pillows subpar, either too thin or uncomfortable. The beds were also critiqued for being positioned awkwardly and lacking privacy due to no curtains.
In addition, some specific issues such as dirty or stained bed sheets, flimsy mattresses and occasional bed breakages detracted from the otherwise pleasant sleeping arrangements. While the lack of bunk beds was a positive for many, it did mean less separation between sleeping spaces in shared rooms.
Overall, the beds at this hostel are generally comfortable and conducive for a decent night's sleep with some room for improvement in terms of noise and bedding quality.
Cleanliness
Station - Hostel for Backpackers in Cologne presents a mixed picture in terms of cleanliness. While some visitors have enjoyed clean rooms and facilities with well-maintained sheets and consistently cleaned communal spaces, others have reported significant issues. The showers and bathrooms, in particular, appear to be a recurring problem area, often described as dirty, smelly and in need of more frequent and thorough cleaning. Some guests noted that areas like the heating, lamps and hallways looked worn and dusty and there were complaints about dirty bed linens and unpleasant odors in the rooms. The cleaning staff, though present and working through the day, sometimes fell short of maintaining overall hygiene standards, especially in shared sanitary facilities.
In summary, while there are positive remarks about specific aspects of cleanliness at Station - Hostel for Backpackers, there seems to be room for considerable improvement, especially in communal and bathroom areas.
Staff
The staff at Station - Hostel for Backpackers have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests. Numerous reviews highlight their friendliness, helpfulness and accommodating nature. Guests frequently mention that staff members were welcoming and supportive from check-in to check-out, providing quick service and addressing any issues efficiently. Specific staff members, such as Samuel and various receptionists, were noted for their exceptional service and kindness. The bar staff and other employees across different departments also garnered praise for their pleasant demeanor and willingness to assist.
The hostel's team made guests feel safe and comfortable, offering valuable advice and assistance with various needs, including reservation problems and local tips. Though there were a few isolated mentions of less favorable experiences, the vast majority of guests appreciated the warm and attentive treatment extended by the staff. The positive interactions with the hostel staff have contributed significantly to the overall satisfaction of travelers staying at the hostel, making it a recommendable option for those seeking a friendly and supportive environment.
Wi-Fi
The guest reviews of Station - Hostel for Backpackers highlight a range of experiences with the hostel’s WiFi. Positive comments mention that WiFi is provided for free, is readily available and in some instances, it is described as good or decent. One review praises the fast connection, especially on specific floors where each had its own network to prevent overcrowding. Some guests appreciated that WiFi was good throughout the building and noted its excellent speed despite the hostel’s proximity to a busy train station.
However, there are numerous concerns about the WiFi quality indicating inconsistent performance. Issues such as slow speeds, poor connectivity and unreliable service were frequently reported. The WiFi was sometimes only accessible near the entrance or reception area with some guests unable to connect in private rooms. Others experienced difficulties with the WiFi password, setup hassles and overall disappointing connection quality. These varied experiences suggest that while the hostel does offer WiFi, its effectiveness may significantly vary depending on different factors such as location within the building and network congestion. Improvements in WiFi infrastructure could greatly enhance guests' overall stay.
Nightlife
Located in an area bustling with nightlife, 'Station - Hostel for Backpackers' offers an undeniably energetic atmosphere perfect for sociable travelers. Guests can find a myriad of restaurants and markets nearby, making dining and shopping very convenient. The hostel features a bar and a terrace that guarantee evening entertainment, which many travelers enjoyed, noting the great atmosphere and the opportunity to meet new people. The bar staff received particular praise for their friendliness.
However, those sensitive to noise may find the environment challenging. Numerous reviews mention significant nighttime noise, both from inside the hostel and from the surrounding city center. This includes loud parties, conversations well past midnight and the noise from trains and nearby bars. The communal spaces can also be quite busy and noisy and the corridors and shared areas suffer from inadequate soundproofing.
While the hostel attracts a young and energetic crowd, the resultant behavior can sometimes disrupt sleep with reports of drunken guests and loud music being common. Despite the lively social scene, the noise can be overwhelming for those who prioritize a good night's rest. Essential amenities such as outlets, bedside lamps and clean bed linens were well-received by guests, but bringing earplugs is recommended for light sleepers. Overall, this hostel is best suited for those who thrive in a vibrant, albeit noisy, environment.
No, Station - Hostel for Backpackers doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Station - Hostel for Backpackers.
No, Station - Hostel for Backpackers doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Station - Hostel for Backpackers.
No, Station - Hostel for Backpackers doesn't have a gym.