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E-F Circus Hostels, Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 39-41 and Weinbergs- weg 1a, T 28 39 14 33, F 28 39 14 84, http://www.circus-berlin.de U-Bahn Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz and U-Bahn Rosenthaler Platz respectively. A second Circus Hostel has now opened in the city, a good pointer to the fact that this blueprint is everything a good hostel should be. Wooden floors and metal-framed beds complement a simple, bright and modern decor. Staff are friendly, helpful, English-speaking or even English and print the day's news and weather from the internet and put them up on a noticeboard. Both locations have bars with DJs and late opening and breakfast is a generous buffet for only E3.50. The atmosphere is young and enthusiastic without being too in-your-face. And the loft apartments in the Weinbergsweg hostel, complete with roof terraces and kitchens, rival almost anywhere in the city for views and comfort. F Mitte's Backpacker Hostel, Chausseestr. 102, T 28 39 09 65, F 28 39 09 35, http://www.backpacker.de U-Bahn Zinnowitzer Str. Dirty, smelly steps leading up from the street to this hostel might not give the best first impression, but once inside it's an oasis of colour and friendly welcome. The common area has large, comfy beanbags and a sunny eating area. There's a TV room, internet access, bike hire, table football and you can get good coffee as well as lots of advice (in excellent English) from reception. Rooms, in all sizes from single upwards, are individually designed and most have themes: all are cheerfully colourful. The 'Aquarium Room' has hanging papier maché fish and a mermaid, while the 'Honeymoon Suite' has padded hearts and hanging veils (but, bizarrely, two single beds). Your only complaint might be the lumpy pillows. F Pegasus Hostel, Str. der Pariser Kommune 35, T 29 35 18 10, F 29 35 11 66, http://www.pegasushostel.de S-Bahn Ostbahnhof, U-Bahn Weberwiese. In an atmospheric old east Berlin building which was once a Jewish girls' boarding school, this hostel is rough around the edges, but friendly, sociable and good value. There are plans for a sauna and entertainment room. Dorm beds start at E13. E Hotel Transit, Hagelbergerstr. 53-54, T 78 90 470, F 78 90 47 77, http://www.hotel-transit.de U-Bahn Mehringdamm. Most definitely a hostel, despite its name, Transit (sibling but not twin of Transit Loft, in Prenzlauerberg) is in an attractive old building and all rooms face a quiet inner courtyard. Rooms, ranging from single to six bed, are basic but all have en suite bathrooms. The breakfast buffet is excellent and continues until noon. Service is friendly and helpful, and although Kreuzberg is no longer the heart of Berlin's action, there are some good restaurants, cafés and bars around.
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