Hotel Transit Loft

The hip Hotel Transit Loft calls itself a "youth hotel," as it's very popular with young groups and families. It offers more services than your average hostel, but it does share some things in common with the typical Berlin backpacker haunts—for instance, its location in a converted, yellow-brick 19th-century helmet factory. And then there’s a general atmosphere, which seems to toss together an international cast of characters like a dinner salad.

The Transit Loft's 47 guest rooms are clean-cut and handsome, albeit simple. Beds are boxy, tables and desks are utilitarian.

Amenities are few here: You get a safe and free Wi-Fi, and that’s about it. In addition to private rooms that sleep anywhere from one to six people, the Transit Loft also offers some dormitory-style rooms, with single beds (no bunks!) and little else.

All rooms are equipped with their own private tiled bath, setting the Transit Loft apart from the shared facilities of hostel-land. Bathrooms are very clean, and some are even rather spacious.

The former factory has been converted into a multi-use "leisure" facility, so the hotel shares the building with the "Billiard Fun" pool bar, a video store, gym and other leisure-related enterprises. From the Transit Loft, you can easily walk to all the main sights, shops and suds in Prenzlauer Berg.

Breakfast is included in the room rate.