Let's introduce you to Pfefferbett Hostel in Berlin!

Interview with Front Office Manager Sven Goosmann, of Pfefferbett Hostel

Berlin is a leading city in design hostels in Europe, as there are many great places to stay. Pfefferbett Hostel is a favourite one, thanks to its central location in Prenzlauer Berg. This boutique hostel, in Berlin's trendy Mitte district, offers a fantastic acomadation: it is situated in a former brewery and features modern rooms, inner courtyard, breakfast room, free Wi-Fi and a terrace. .

We talked to Sven, the Front Office Manager, to learn more about how to run a hostel in Berlin.

1. The hostel opened 7 years ago. Can you tell which difficulties have to be put into account when opening a hostel? Has there ever been a moment that made you want to give up?

There were plenty… too much to write here. It’s always a hustle.

2. How do you consider the situation of the hostels in Berlin? Can you find any difference compared to hostels in Europe, or more generally in the world?

The competition in Berlin is much higher then in any other city in Europe. Due to this fact the bed prices are very low. The quality is really high: In London the leading hostel has an 86% rating on HostelsClub… there are 26 hostels in Berlin with a higher rating, and the cost for a dorm bed is about the half.

3. What advice you can give to those who would like to open a hostel?

If you have no experience running a business and if you don’t have at least some money to invest, don’t do it.
Never try to save money by cutting the marketing budget. Be creative with your marketing. Network with other hostel owners.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel, copy what you like from other hostels.
Follow creative hostels on Facebook or Twitter to know what is trending.

4. What's really special about your hostel?

Our team. The team always matters. A good team can bring a shitty hostel to shine.
In general we are a really modern and stylish hostel and people seem to love it.
Our garden is special and we are in a very cool old brewery complex.

5. Why do you think a traveler should prefer a hostel to a hotel or a B&B?

There is nearly nothing a B&B can offer that an average hostel can’t offer.

6. What is the composition of your hostel staff?

We have a good mix of male and female and internationals and locals. They are all permanently employed. Working with students might save you money but iyou can rely much more on staff if you pay them well and give them stable work conditions.

7. What services are available for hostel guests?

Name it, we have it. The only thing we don’t sell or rent out are train tickets and drugs.

8. Do you organize some event or special activities hostel guests?

Concerts, tours, comedy show, we show soccer and other sport events, Halloween or motto parties.

9. Where do your guests come from?

Mostly Western Europe and Germany, but there are seasons with plenty of Americans or Australians.

10. Do backpacker travelers still exist? Or have they been replaced by flashpackers and other kind of travellers?

They are like pandas: barely seen but people say they still exist. With all this travel opportunities and the cheap airlines, people can hop from a city to another very fast. I think the trend in Europe is to make several short trips a year instead of having a long backpacking trip every year. The big trips for European backpackers are those to Southeast Asia, Australia and America.
Let’s be honest: traveling with a trolley case is much more convenient then traveling with a big backpack, and they mostly fit as hand luggage - something that most backpacks do not do.

And if you like it, book Pfefferbett Hostel and ger ready to be amazed!