Review: Private Room at CitySurfer44 Boutique Hostel in Hamburg

We’d left our flat for Stansted Airport at the wholly terrible hour of 4am, after a night of minimal sleep and an uneventful flight. Arriving bleary-eyed in Hamburg, the S-Bahn spat us out at Berliner Tor, and we immediately headed for brunch before a half-hearted attempt to do a bit of sightseeing

By 1pm, we were SERIOUSLY flagging, so decided to touch down early at our accommodation for the weekend, CitySurfer44, hoping to chill out in the common areas (and maybe nap on a sofa). Immediately greeted by a pair of adorable dogs, we found a day bed in the small outdoor beach area, and prepared to wait it out until our 3pm check-in.

Almost falling asleep, the guesthouse receptionist saved our day not long after, by letting us into our room early. Not all heroes wear capes. After a quick nap and a shower, we were refreshed and ready to go about our day, with a great first impression of our home for our two nights in Hamburg.

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Our booking had actually been a last-minute one, and we’d originally had an Ibis Budget hotel reserved on the other side of Hamburg. Mostly because it had been the most affordable option we could find without resorting to a dorm room. The week before our trip, I did a final ‘are we getting the best value’ check – and discovered a room at CitySurfer44 hostel for £50 cheaper. Liking the look (and the more convenient location) of it, we cancelled our refundable booking at the previous hotel, and dropped in a new one.

About the hostel

CitySurfer44 falls somewhere between guesthouse and hostel, offering private rooms as a hotel would, but with hostel-like shared facilities. When we visited, the hostel seemed pretty quiet, and we only bumped into a handful of other people staying there.

Rooms at CitySurfer44

Each private room at CitySurfer44 is decorated with a unique mural on the wall, and named according to its decor. Most rooms come with a regular, large or extra-large double bed – but there are also a handful of single rooms.

We stayed in the ‘Golden Lady’ room, adorned with a mural of a woman wearing a brightly coloured headscarf, on a sparkling gold background. The room itself is relatively compact, but considering we were only really there to sleep, this was absolutely fine for us. Everything was spotlessly clean when we arrived, and the provision of a fan was INCREDIBLY welcome in the summer’s heat. With a full-length mirror, rail for clothing and a bedside table, the room provided everything we needed for a city break stay.

The only annoyance we had (and we could probably have asked about this) is that we only had one, quite thin pillow each. Usually we take a spare blow-up pillow when staying in budget hotels, but typically the one time we forgot, it was needed! This was slightly made up for by the fact the bed was wonderfully comfortable, with clean, fresh bedding and a single duvet each.

One thing to note – we didn’t have bedding or towels changed during our stay. We were fine with this for two nights, but if you’re staying longer, it’s something to consider.

Shared Bathroom Facilities

Shared bathroom facilities can be make or break for some. It’s something I personally don’t mind at all, as long as there are enough facilities that you don’t have to queue for an hour to have a quick wash.

On our floor, we had a single WC with sink and mirror, single shower, and another bathroom with shower, WC sink and mirror. Each shower room also had a hairdryer provided. This felt like enough for the small amount of rooms on the floor, and we didn’t have to wait to use anything – although as mentioned, the hostel didn’t seem too busy at the time of our stay.

The bathroom decor I can only describe as…absolutely extra. Blue tiles, with plastic white ‘foam’ surrounding the shower edges, and golden baubles in holders. Slightly strange, but I found it quirky and fun. The showers themselves had a whole host of functions, from a traditional waterfall shower to jets that spray out from the side.

The temperature was always warm, and the waterfall shower especially had decent pressure. Every time I used the shower and WC, they were clean and tidy.

Common Facilities – Kitchen, Dining & Socialising

The common areas in CitySurfer44 is where the ‘hostel’ feel really comes into play. In particular, the outdoor space, which features plenty of seating, BBQs and even a small ‘pool’. Although it was quiet during our stay, these areas are perfect for groups or those on a longer stay to chill out.

We weren’t in the hostel long enough to use the kitchen facilities, but they seemed modern and well-kept, with plenty of communal fridge space and induction hobs. It’s a great option if you’re backpacking and want to cook your own food.

Prices start from £91 per night for a double room on booking.com – however, we managed to get a great deal a couple of days before our stay, for just £100 for two nights. One thing to note is that the hostel seem to only release rooms a month in advance on booking sites, so the only way to book in advance is by contacting them directly, which lists the rooms at a higher price per night.

If you can get a booking, though, CitySurfers44 feels like a Hamburg hidden gem. With quirky decor, clean and comfortable rooms and great common facilities, it’s a wonderful place to stay for a few nights if you prefer accommodation that has character and personality.