Ruhrtropolis Hostel

My stay at Ruhrtropolis Hostel in Essen was absolutely fantastic! The hostel has an amazing atmosphere and a very welcoming vibe that makes you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. One of the highlights is the lively bar and live music venue on the ground floor, which creates a great social environment for travelers and locals who enjoy good music, drinks, and meeting new people. The location is outstanding—right in the heart of Essen. Everything you need is within easy reach, including tram stops, the main railway station, bus connections, restaurants, churches, cafés, and shopping centers. Exploring the city is incredibly convenient from here. What impressed me most was the excellent value for money. The hostel is budget-friendly while still offering a vibrant and enjoyable experience that exceeds expectations. Whether you’re a student, backpacker, solo traveler, or simply looking for affordable accommodation in Essen, I highly recommend Ruhrtropolis Hostel. The combination of its central location, lively atmosphere, entertainment options, and affordability makes it a truly memorable place to stay. Thank you to the team for making my visit such a pleasant experience. I would happily stay here again and recommend it to anyone visiting Essen!

Very easily accessible, the city center is within easy walking distance, and due to the proximity to the town hall, you can also quickly reach the train station by bus and train, even early in the morning.

The heating didn't work despite the still cold outside temperature, the floor wasn't cleaned, surfaces were dusty, there was hair in the sink, the shower drain was clogged, there was mold in the bathroom, the shower head wall mount was broken, the bed sheets were full of holes and soiled, and there was no one to contact on site. However, to end on a positive note, it was incredibly cheap and relatively centrally located near the main pedestrian zone.

Beautiful

Affordable hostel right in the heart of Essen – about a 15-minute walk from the main train station and with a tram stop right outside. It's important to note that check-in takes place in the pub downstairs and is therefore only possible during its opening hours (from 5 pm onwards), but this was communicated beforehand – it was all very straightforward. My room and the toilets/showers were clean. It was quiet at night, at least in my room, as it faced the back – I can't comment on the noise levels in the rooms facing the street. Overall, it offers excellent value for money; the hostel's facilities are definitely very good for the low price. I can therefore recommend the Ruhrtropolis Hostel as a great place to stay while exploring the Ruhr area.

After just one night in this hostel, I woke up with around 50 bedbug bites all over my body. The condition was extremely painful and unpleasant. I tried to contact the owner – no response, zero help. I then informed both the health department and the public order office. Unfortunately, these authorities also felt no responsibility and passed the buck. The result: a severe allergic reaction that almost led to hospitalization. In addition, I had to buy medication, pay for doctor's visits, and have all my clothes and luggage professionally cleaned. The consequences are not only physically, but also psychologically and financially devastating. It's an incredibly disappointing experience how guests are treated here – no responsibility whatsoever, no support whatsoever. I hope that Booking.com, as the main intermediary, finally takes this matter seriously and takes action. After two months, still NO compensation!!!

Fun environment! Nice Workers! Super Cool interior!