Smart Stay Hostel Munich City, Munich

Note: This review is for the "Easy Palace Hostel" located at 4 Mozartstrasse only! It is not to be confused with the "Easy Palace Station Hotel" near the main train station. This very inexpensive hostel costs14.50 € p/p p/n for an 8 bed dorm during the low season (3/09) and 19 € p/p p/n in high season. It's features include large, clean rooms with clean ensuite toilet and bath/shower facilities, comfortable bunks, pre-made-up beds, optional breakfast in a restaurant next door, small, but efficient elevator, small lockable lockers in room for valuables (padlocks free at reception), small guest kitchen and lounge on the 4th floor, small bar with reasonable prices, internet and WiFi facilities, bus stop (#58) within 50 meters, U-bahn (U3 and U6) within 100 meters, and within walking distance of the old city. Add to that a movie complex that is right on the corner and behind the McDonalds (that's right, a McDonalds right on your doorstep). Other amenities include the location in a residential area (quiet), Aldi, drug stores, and numerous eating establishments close-by, and the Paulaner Brewery Gasthaus (top-notch Bavarian fare) within walking distance. I have stayed at the Easy Palace (*Mozartstrasse") multiple times. I have also stayed at most of the hostels close to the main train station and always go back to the Easy Palace. It is a third less expensive and the rooms are larger and cleaner and the neighborhood is much more quiet and less seedy. Getting there is simple: take bus #58 from the train station and get off at "Goetheplatz" (the announcement will sound like "gurtaplatz"). Get off the bus and walk straight down Mozartstr. past the McDonalds to the hostel. Last, the hostel staff is super, among the best I have met in Europe. Besides being among the most friendly, they are also very knowledgeable about the city and the best places to go (not necessarily the most popular, but still the best). I appreciate them more every time I stay there. "Thanks guys. You're the best!" The only negative that I have heard is their "key" system. There is only 1 key to the room. As long as there is one person in the room, the key is also in the room. The last person leaving returns the key to the reception desk. When guests return they ask if the key is at the desk or in the room. Some say that the system is inconvenient, but there are no keys running around Munich looking for thieves. It makes the guests and property more safe. This is a very safe hostel in all ways. I think it's the best!