Bern Youth Hostel
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Summary of reviewsBern Youth Hostel enjoys a stellar reputation among its guests, especially thanks to its scenic and convenient location. Nestled by the Aare River, it offers tranquility while being just a stone's throw from Bern's historic center, key attractions and the Federal Palace. The proximity to the train station and the Marzilibahn funicular provides swift access to the city, making it an excellent base for exploring Bern.
The hostel's breakfast is highly praised with an ample buffet featuring fresh, local products ranging from pastries to gluten-free options. Guests appreciate the breakfast being included in the price, discovering it to be comparable to offerings in higher-end hotels. Dinner, served in a canteen-style restaurant, is noted for its good quality and affordability, although some guests suggest it could be further improved.
The rooms are commended for their cleanliness, modern design and functionality. They offer beautiful views, ample space and good noise insulation, making for a comfortable stay despite some minor ventilation issues. Shared spaces and facilities, including showers and toilets, are also noted for their spotless upkeep.
The staff at Bern Youth Hostel receive consistent praise for their friendliness, professionalism and 24-hour availability. Guests appreciate their helpfulness and the warm, supportive environment they create.
WiFi at the hostel is generally available and appreciated in some areas, though connectivity issues are reported, particularly in rooms further from the reception. Parking is reasonably priced but limited, necessitating reservations. The hostel does provide special amenities for electric vehicle users, enhancing convenience for eco-conscious travelers.
While the nightlife around the hostel is appealing due to its proximity to pubs and restaurants, the hostel itself is quieter, potentially less exciting for those looking to socialize extensively with other travelers. Noise can also be a challenge, especially on weekends.
Overall, Bern Youth Hostel is highly recommended for its outstanding location, excellent breakfast, clean and comfortable rooms and friendly staff, making it a prime choice for visitors to Bern.
Categories
The hostel's breakfast is highly praised with an ample buffet featuring fresh, local products ranging from pastries to gluten-free options. Guests appreciate the breakfast being included in the price, discovering it to be comparable to offerings in higher-end hotels. Dinner, served in a canteen-style restaurant, is noted for its good quality and affordability, although some guests suggest it could be further improved.
The rooms are commended for their cleanliness, modern design and functionality. They offer beautiful views, ample space and good noise insulation, making for a comfortable stay despite some minor ventilation issues. Shared spaces and facilities, including showers and toilets, are also noted for their spotless upkeep.
The staff at Bern Youth Hostel receive consistent praise for their friendliness, professionalism and 24-hour availability. Guests appreciate their helpfulness and the warm, supportive environment they create.
WiFi at the hostel is generally available and appreciated in some areas, though connectivity issues are reported, particularly in rooms further from the reception. Parking is reasonably priced but limited, necessitating reservations. The hostel does provide special amenities for electric vehicle users, enhancing convenience for eco-conscious travelers.
While the nightlife around the hostel is appealing due to its proximity to pubs and restaurants, the hostel itself is quieter, potentially less exciting for those looking to socialize extensively with other travelers. Noise can also be a challenge, especially on weekends.
Overall, Bern Youth Hostel is highly recommended for its outstanding location, excellent breakfast, clean and comfortable rooms and friendly staff, making it a prime choice for visitors to Bern.
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Bern Youth Hostel has two third-party sustainability certifications, including HI-Q&S Certified and Ibex Fairstay. Sustainability has been a core part of their philosophy for 30 years, with a focus on energy consumption and emissions. They source 100% of their electricity from renewable energy (hydropower) and use renewable energy sources for heating in many hostels.
Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Located on Weihergasse, this hostel offers budget-friendly accommodation with access to the nightlife in Bern. Its location provides a convenient base for exploring the city's evening entertainment.
Accessible Hostel
This youth hostel is wheelchair accessible and features an elevator and wheelchair-accessible paths of travel. It offers barrier-free bathrooms with suitable door widths, toilet seat heights, wheelchair-accessible washbasins, shower seats, and grab rails.
Hostel with EV Charging Stations
This hostel provides convenient amenities for guests with electric vehicles, featuring EV charging stations and designated parking spaces.
Dog Friendly Hostel
Hostel with Parking
EV charging stations
Guest Reviews
Nestled beautifully by the Aare River, Bern Youth Hostel boasts an exceptional location that combines tranquility with convenience. Despite its peaceful ambiance, it remains remarkably close to the heart of the city, making it an ideal base for exploring Bern’s historic center, museums and key attractions.
Guests appreciate the hostel's proximity to the train station and the efficient Marzilibahn funicular, both of which facilitate easy and swift access to the city center and Federal Palace. The surrounding area is not only scenic, offering stunning views of the river and adjacent greenery, but also strategically situated for leisurely walks to downtown attractions and charming local spots.
The hostel's location at the foot of the Federal Palace is frequently highlighted, offering a unique setting and a central launchpad for visitors keen to explore the cultural and historic offerings of Bern. The beautiful environment and the nearby outdoor swimming pool add to its appeal, providing guests with a picturesque retreat after a day of sightseeing.
In summary, Bern Youth Hostel’s prime location, combined with its tranquil and scenic surroundings, places it at the top of the list for travelers looking for a perfect blend of convenience, beauty and relaxation in the heart of Bern.
At Bern Youth Hostel, breakfast seems to be a standout feature highly praised by guests. Many reviewers highlight the buffet as excellent, offering a wide variety of options and fresh, local products. The breakfast is described as delicious with plenty of choices including pastries, croissants, fruits, vegetables, cereals, ham, cheese, eggs and fresh bread, making it suitable for all tastes and dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free options.
The breakfast area is noted as being spacious and clean, enhancing the overall dining experience. Several guests compare the quality of the breakfast favorably to those found in higher-end hotels, appreciating the hearty and nutritious meals provided at no extra cost. Despite some mentions of limited variety and basic offerings, the overall sentiment remains positive with guests consistently finding the breakfast satisfying and enjoyable.
Moreover, the inclusion of breakfast in the price is a significant plus, adding value to the stay. This complimentary breakfast is described as varied, substantial and very well-prepared, contributing to a pleasant start to the day.
In summary, Bern Youth Hostel offers a breakfast experience that is both plentiful and diverse, exceeding the expectations of many guests and solidifying its reputation as one of the best hostel breakfasts.
Bern Youth Hostel offers a dining experience that is both affordable and convenient, attracting many guests with its reasonable prices and good quality meals. The hostel has a canteen-style restaurant serving both lunch and dinner with options ranging from pizza to more typical dishes. Many guests praise the food for being delicious and well-prepared, noting that the meals are light and that the evening meal is particularly generous.
In addition to the diverse menu, the dining facilities are described as lovely with a pleasant bar and dining room available. The restaurant not only serves food but also offers beer, making it a nice spot to unwind in the evening. Some reviews highlight the great value of the fresh and varied salad options and the option to reserve a three-course dinner.
However, while many reviews are positive, some guests felt the food was of average quality or poorly prepared and noted that the dinner service ends quite early, around 8 pm. Despite these few criticisms, the overall sentiment suggests that the hostel’s dining options are a convenient and economical choice for travelers with many guests appreciating the opportunity to dine on-site.
Bern Youth Hostel offers a range of rooms that stand out for their cleanliness, modern design and functionality. Many guests praise the rooms as being spacious and comfortable with amenities such as large lockers, sinks and well-equipped small kitchen areas. The rooms are noted for their simplicity and practicality, featuring modern and tidy designs that contribute to a clean atmosphere.
The hostel's accommodations are described as very quiet and peaceful with good noise insulation and beautiful views of the river Aare. Rooms are frequently mentioned as being warm and convenient with excellent heating systems, although some guests noted issues with ventilation and room temperature.
Private rooms are generally spacious and some have exceptional river views. Shared dorm rooms are also spacious, well-structured and equipped with lockable cabinets, though a few reviews mentioned that these rooms can feel narrow and occasionally noisy.
Overall, Bern Youth Hostel provides basic but very clean, comfortable and modern rooms that cater well to the needs of travelers, offering a beautiful and functional stay with all the essential amenities.
Bern Youth Hostel has received mixed feedback regarding its beds, but there are consistent highlights to consider. The beds are generally praised for their comfort with many guests describing them as very comfortable and cozy. New beds and clean bedsheets also add to the positive experience. However, there are frequent mentions of thin mattresses that some guests find less comfortable. The bunk beds, although expected from a hostel, are noted to be narrow and sometimes noisy. Some guests also mentioned that there are no curtains or bedside tables, which could enhance privacy and convenience. Overall, while the beds are comfortable by typical hostel standards and well-maintained, improvements in mattress thickness and additional facilities could further enhance guest satisfaction.
Nestled in a central location, Bern Youth Hostel has garnered praise for its impressive cleanliness standards. Reviews consistently highlight that rooms, bathrooms and common areas are well-maintained, providing a clean and comfortable environment for guests. Words like very clean, spotless and exceptionally clean frequently surface in feedback, emphasizing that cleanliness is a top priority at this hostel.
Modern and functional, the rooms and shared facilities offer a pleasant stay. Many guests note the cleanliness of the showers and toilets, though there are occasional mentions of areas needing more frequent cleaning attention. The hostel's shared kitchens and dining hall also receive positive remarks for being tidy and hygienic.
Guests appreciate the clean linens, bedsheets and well-ventilated spaces, contributing to an overall feeling of comfort and safety. With an emphasis on cleanliness echoed throughout numerous reviews, Bern Youth Hostel stands out as a well-organized and immaculate lodging option in the heart of the city.
Bern Youth Hostel boasts an overwhelmingly positive reception from its clientele, particularly when it comes to the staff. Guests repeatedly highlight the staff's friendliness, warmth and professionalism. Reviews frequently describe the team as extremely helpful and knowledgeable with several mentions of their excellent service and attentiveness. The 24-hour availability of staff is a recurrent praise point, ensuring guests feel supported around the clock.
Many guests appreciate the staff's readiness to meet their needs and offer useful tips and information for making the most of their stay in Bern. The reception team stands out for their kindness and accommodating nature, consistently described as pleasant and welcoming. Guests note that even minor issues, like language barriers, are handled with patience and smiles.
Overall, the staff at Bern Youth Hostel are commended for creating a friendly and supportive environment, making the hostel a standout choice for travellers seeking both comfort and excellent service during their stay.
The WiFi experience at Bern Youth Hostel has generally received mixed reviews from guests. On the positive side, many appreciated the availability of free Wi-Fi throughout the establishment, including features like WiFi and USB plugs at every bed. Some reviews highlighted that the Wi-Fi signal was good and stable, describing the internet connection as excellent and quite strong in certain areas.
However, there were notable drawbacks. Reviews pointed out that the WiFi signal tends to be unreliable, especially in rooms further from the reception area. Guests encountered issues such as low bandwidth, poor reception on the third floor and Wi-Fi not reaching well into certain corners of the rooms. It was noted that sometimes the connection drops and in some instances, the Wi-Fi only functions reliably in the reception area. Despite these issues, staff appeared responsive, solving connection problems immediately when possible.
Ultimately, while the WiFi at Bern Youth Hostel has its strong points, improvement in consistent connectivity throughout the entire hostel could enhance the overall guest experience.
Bern Youth Hostel offers several parking options, though they can be somewhat limited and require planning ahead. Guests noted that parking spaces are available but are limited, making reservation in advance necessary. The parking fee is 10 CHF per day, which many found affordable. Parking is particularly convenient for those who manage to reserve in advance, as spaces are directly behind the building or close by. On public holidays, free parking is available in the blue zones, which adds convenience.
However, there are some challenges. Private parking may be unavailable or sold out, necessitating finding alternative arrangements. Some guests found parking inconvenient or very poor, reflecting the limited number of spaces available. For those without reservations, nearby public parking is an option, albeit paid. The location offers free public transportation, making it easier for guests to explore without needing to move their vehicles frequently. Overall, while the pricing for parking is reasonable and there are various options, it's essential to reserve in advance and be prepared for the potential difficulty in finding a spot.
Bern Youth Hostel offers convenient amenities for guests with electric vehicles, featuring EV charging stations and designated parking spaces. These facilities ensure that guests can easily charge their cars overnight. While some rooms lack electrical outlets, the availability of EV charging options provides added convenience for those traveling sustainably. Overall, the hostel is well-regarded for accommodating electric vehicles, enhancing the stay for eco-conscious travelers.
Bern Youth Hostel presents a mixed experience when it comes to nightlife, depending on what travelers are seeking. The hostel is conveniently located near pubs, restaurants and main attractions, making it a solid option for enjoying the local nightlife. The staff is helpful, often providing tips and instructions on where to find nice pubs.
The atmosphere in the area is described as incredible and the proximity to a river and lake adds a unique charm, allowing guests to engage in fun activities like swimming. However, the hostel itself doesn't offer many nighttime social activities, making it less ideal for those looking to meet other young travelers.
Noise can be a significant issue, particularly on weekends. Guests have reported disturbances from noisy beds, other guests and even large groups celebrating bachelor parties on the terrace. The sound insulation appears to need improvement with noise from people seating outside and from kids often continuing until early morning hours. Although it can be quiet in the evenings due to the riverside location, those sensitive to noise might find it challenging to sleep.
Bern Youth Hostel offers commendable accessibility features for travelers with disabilities. The hostel ensures ease of access with wheelchair accessibility maintained throughout the property, making it suitable even for wheelchair users. Its central location enhances convenience, being easily reachable either on foot or via the Marzilibahn funicular, which provides an efficient connection from the historic center to the hostel.
Guests benefit from a free transportation card, which includes access to the Marzilibahn, facilitating hassle-free exploration of the city. Accessibility to Bern station is also very good, despite requiring passage through a hill. For those driving, the hostel provides accessible parking spaces and EV charging stations.
The building layout is designed with accessibility in mind and access points are clearly marked. Public transport options in the area further add to the overall accessibility, even though the hostel is not directly accessible by bus.
However, some reviews noted that the hostel's wifi could be improved and there were minor hiccups such as missing breakfast items and confusion during booking. Moreover, a few guests mentioned challenges with seating comfort and locating the hostel initially.
In summary, Bern Youth Hostel stands out for its thoughtful and well-implemented accessibility features, ensuring a comfortable stay for travelers with disabilities while offering convenient access to Bern's city center and public transportation.
Bern Youth Hostel offers a surprisingly luxurious stay for visitors, challenging traditional ideas of hostel accommodation. The property boasts amenities and facilities akin to those of a luxury hotel. Guests have noted the chic and modern appearance with luxuriously decorated interiors and stylish, classy furnishings, making it feel more upscale. The spacious hostel is also well-placed in a prime location, enhancing its appeal.
Reviewers highlighted the high-class feel of the well-decorated premises and the beautiful courtyard featuring a huge plane tree, which adds to the overall ambiance. Despite Switzerland's typically high cost of living, the hostel manages to offer a feeling of luxury that is quite unexpected for its category. The breakfast provided is described as very luxurious, further elevating the guest experience. Overall, Bern Youth Hostel stands out for its luxurious decor and thoughtful amenities, providing a sophisticated retreat in the heart of Switzerland.
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Location
Guests appreciate the hostel's proximity to the train station and the efficient Marzilibahn funicular, both of which facilitate easy and swift access to the city center and Federal Palace. The surrounding area is not only scenic, offering stunning views of the river and adjacent greenery, but also strategically situated for leisurely walks to downtown attractions and charming local spots.
The hostel's location at the foot of the Federal Palace is frequently highlighted, offering a unique setting and a central launchpad for visitors keen to explore the cultural and historic offerings of Bern. The beautiful environment and the nearby outdoor swimming pool add to its appeal, providing guests with a picturesque retreat after a day of sightseeing.
In summary, Bern Youth Hostel’s prime location, combined with its tranquil and scenic surroundings, places it at the top of the list for travelers looking for a perfect blend of convenience, beauty and relaxation in the heart of Bern.
Breakfast
The breakfast area is noted as being spacious and clean, enhancing the overall dining experience. Several guests compare the quality of the breakfast favorably to those found in higher-end hotels, appreciating the hearty and nutritious meals provided at no extra cost. Despite some mentions of limited variety and basic offerings, the overall sentiment remains positive with guests consistently finding the breakfast satisfying and enjoyable.
Moreover, the inclusion of breakfast in the price is a significant plus, adding value to the stay. This complimentary breakfast is described as varied, substantial and very well-prepared, contributing to a pleasant start to the day.
In summary, Bern Youth Hostel offers a breakfast experience that is both plentiful and diverse, exceeding the expectations of many guests and solidifying its reputation as one of the best hostel breakfasts.
Dinner
In addition to the diverse menu, the dining facilities are described as lovely with a pleasant bar and dining room available. The restaurant not only serves food but also offers beer, making it a nice spot to unwind in the evening. Some reviews highlight the great value of the fresh and varied salad options and the option to reserve a three-course dinner.
However, while many reviews are positive, some guests felt the food was of average quality or poorly prepared and noted that the dinner service ends quite early, around 8 pm. Despite these few criticisms, the overall sentiment suggests that the hostel’s dining options are a convenient and economical choice for travelers with many guests appreciating the opportunity to dine on-site.
Rooms
The hostel's accommodations are described as very quiet and peaceful with good noise insulation and beautiful views of the river Aare. Rooms are frequently mentioned as being warm and convenient with excellent heating systems, although some guests noted issues with ventilation and room temperature.
Private rooms are generally spacious and some have exceptional river views. Shared dorm rooms are also spacious, well-structured and equipped with lockable cabinets, though a few reviews mentioned that these rooms can feel narrow and occasionally noisy.
Overall, Bern Youth Hostel provides basic but very clean, comfortable and modern rooms that cater well to the needs of travelers, offering a beautiful and functional stay with all the essential amenities.
Beds
Cleanliness
Modern and functional, the rooms and shared facilities offer a pleasant stay. Many guests note the cleanliness of the showers and toilets, though there are occasional mentions of areas needing more frequent cleaning attention. The hostel's shared kitchens and dining hall also receive positive remarks for being tidy and hygienic.
Guests appreciate the clean linens, bedsheets and well-ventilated spaces, contributing to an overall feeling of comfort and safety. With an emphasis on cleanliness echoed throughout numerous reviews, Bern Youth Hostel stands out as a well-organized and immaculate lodging option in the heart of the city.
Staff
Many guests appreciate the staff's readiness to meet their needs and offer useful tips and information for making the most of their stay in Bern. The reception team stands out for their kindness and accommodating nature, consistently described as pleasant and welcoming. Guests note that even minor issues, like language barriers, are handled with patience and smiles.
Overall, the staff at Bern Youth Hostel are commended for creating a friendly and supportive environment, making the hostel a standout choice for travellers seeking both comfort and excellent service during their stay.
Wi-Fi
However, there were notable drawbacks. Reviews pointed out that the WiFi signal tends to be unreliable, especially in rooms further from the reception area. Guests encountered issues such as low bandwidth, poor reception on the third floor and Wi-Fi not reaching well into certain corners of the rooms. It was noted that sometimes the connection drops and in some instances, the Wi-Fi only functions reliably in the reception area. Despite these issues, staff appeared responsive, solving connection problems immediately when possible.
Ultimately, while the WiFi at Bern Youth Hostel has its strong points, improvement in consistent connectivity throughout the entire hostel could enhance the overall guest experience.
Parking
However, there are some challenges. Private parking may be unavailable or sold out, necessitating finding alternative arrangements. Some guests found parking inconvenient or very poor, reflecting the limited number of spaces available. For those without reservations, nearby public parking is an option, albeit paid. The location offers free public transportation, making it easier for guests to explore without needing to move their vehicles frequently. Overall, while the pricing for parking is reasonable and there are various options, it's essential to reserve in advance and be prepared for the potential difficulty in finding a spot.
EV charging stations
Nightlife
The atmosphere in the area is described as incredible and the proximity to a river and lake adds a unique charm, allowing guests to engage in fun activities like swimming. However, the hostel itself doesn't offer many nighttime social activities, making it less ideal for those looking to meet other young travelers.
Noise can be a significant issue, particularly on weekends. Guests have reported disturbances from noisy beds, other guests and even large groups celebrating bachelor parties on the terrace. The sound insulation appears to need improvement with noise from people seating outside and from kids often continuing until early morning hours. Although it can be quiet in the evenings due to the riverside location, those sensitive to noise might find it challenging to sleep.
Accessible
Guests benefit from a free transportation card, which includes access to the Marzilibahn, facilitating hassle-free exploration of the city. Accessibility to Bern station is also very good, despite requiring passage through a hill. For those driving, the hostel provides accessible parking spaces and EV charging stations.
The building layout is designed with accessibility in mind and access points are clearly marked. Public transport options in the area further add to the overall accessibility, even though the hostel is not directly accessible by bus.
However, some reviews noted that the hostel's wifi could be improved and there were minor hiccups such as missing breakfast items and confusion during booking. Moreover, a few guests mentioned challenges with seating comfort and locating the hostel initially.
In summary, Bern Youth Hostel stands out for its thoughtful and well-implemented accessibility features, ensuring a comfortable stay for travelers with disabilities while offering convenient access to Bern's city center and public transportation.
Luxury
Reviewers highlighted the high-class feel of the well-decorated premises and the beautiful courtyard featuring a huge plane tree, which adds to the overall ambiance. Despite Switzerland's typically high cost of living, the hostel manages to offer a feeling of luxury that is quite unexpected for its category. The breakfast provided is described as very luxurious, further elevating the guest experience. Overall, Bern Youth Hostel stands out for its luxurious decor and thoughtful amenities, providing a sophisticated retreat in the heart of Switzerland.
No, Bern Youth Hostel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Bern Youth Hostel.
Yes, Bern Youth Hostel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Bern Youth Hostel.
No, Bern Youth Hostel doesn't have a gym.
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