Berlin Prenzlauer Berg

Pfefferbett, Christinenstr. 18-19 (www.pfefferbett.de), This old, 19th-century brick building is tasteful with a modern edge. The lobby's towering ceilings are supported by brick arches, and the garden out back has a patio popular for socializing. Bathrooms are newly tiled, and spacious rooms have a fun style, with thick stripes running around the walls. Lounge room has a pool, foosball table, and fireplace. U2: Senefelderpl. Breakfast items from €1. Linens €2.50. Mar-Oct 8-bed dorms €16; 6-bed €20; 4-bed dorms with bath €25; singles with bath €58; doubles with bath €78. Nov-Feb 8-bed dorms €12; 6-bed €15; 4-bed dorms with bath €20; singles with bath Nov-Feb €47; doubles with €64. Reception 24hr. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet. Serves alcohol.
East Seven Hostel, Schwedter Str. 7 (www.eastseven.de), Orange and olive walls make this retro hostel a cool, bunk-free place to stay. The indoor lounge area with comfortable sofas and the back patio with a grill are well-used hangouts for backpackers who appreciate cold beer specials (€1). Rooms are spacious, with hardwood floors, old windows, and subtle-hued stripes that would make Martha Stewart proud. U2: Senefelderpl. Free Wi-Fi; Internet terminals €0.50 per 20min. Linens included. Bike rental €10 per day. Mar-Oct 8-bed dorms €18; 4-bed dorms with bath €22; singles €38; doubles €26; triples €22. Nov-Feb 8-bed dorms €14; 4-bed dorms with bath €19; singles €31; doubles €22; triples €19. Reception 7am-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet. Serves alcohol.
Alcatraz, Schönehauser Allee 133A (www.alcatraz-backpacker.de), Alcatraz is hardly an inescapable prison, but you probably wouldn't mind spending a life sentence here. This hostel's graffiti-chic, spray-painted exterior is as lively as the sociable “chill out room,” fully stocked with a foosball table and television. Alcatraz has 80 beds in carefully decorated rooms that contrast the chaos of the common areas. All rooms have ensuite baths, big windows, light yellow walls, and pine bunks. U2: Eberswalder Str. Wi-Fi included. Fully equipped kitchen. Linens €2. Bike rental €10 per day. Mar-Oct 8-bed dorms €16; 4-bed €18; singles €40; doubles €50; triples €69. Nov-Feb 8-bed dorms €13; 4-bed dorms €15; singles €35; doubles €44; triples €57. Reception 24hr. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet.
Lette'm Sleep Hostel, Lettestr. 7 (www.backpackers.de), Located opposite a small park and between the popular bars of the lively Helmholtzpl., this brightly painted hostel is situated perfectly in the middle of Prenzlauer Berg's afternoon and early evening cafe scene. The big kitchen, complete with comfy red couches, a television, and a selection of DVDs, is home base for the hostel's young backpackers. Rooms are spacious and well-lit, with personal lockers and sinks in every room. U2: Eberswalder Str. Linens and Wi-Fi included. Apr-Oct 4- to 7-bed dorms €17-23; doubles with sheets and a small kitchenette €55; triples €60. Nov-Mar 4- to 7-bed dorms €11-20; doubles with sheets and a small kitchenette €40; triples €60. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.
Meininger, Schönehauser Allee 19 (www.meininger-hotels.com), Meninger is having an identity crisis; the establishment self-identifies as a hotel but charges by the person to fill up its dorms. Decorated in red and white, this neat and clean ho(s)tel is all reliability. Boasting bright white walls, spotless rooms, lots of windows, and just-outside proximity to the U-Bahn station, you really can't lose. Special deals for families. U2: Senefelderpl. Free Wi-Fi, or €1 per 20min. at terminals. Breakfast €5.50. Sheets included. All bathrooms ensuite. 3- to 6-bed dorms €28; women-only or small dorms €19; singles €52; doubles €70. Children 6-12 pay 50% of per person fee. Reception 24hr. Check-out 1pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.
Aurora-Hostel, Pappelallee 21 (www.aurora-hostel.com), There's not much to set this small hostel apart, other than an unbeatable location. Walls are white and generally lack decoration, and linoleum floors don't lend character, but this spotless hostel has one quirk: guests can pick a colored light bulb to shine in their window, making the outside of the hostel its own aurora by night. U2: Eberswalder Str. 3-bed dorms €64.50; singles €30; doubles €49. Reception 8am-10pm. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access.