Terms & Conditions

As of 04.2024

I. Preliminary remarks

1. Contractual Relationship

  1. A room booking confirmed by the hostel establishes a contractual relationship between the guest and the hostel (hostel accommodation contract).
  2. The hostel accommodation contract is a type of mixed contract not specifically regulated in the German Civil Code (BGB), apart from the liability for items brought in. It includes elements of service, work, and sales contract law. At its core, the hostel accommodation contract is a fixed-term lease agreement.

2. Scope

  1. Our terms and conditions apply to contracts for the temporary rental of hostel rooms and beds for accommodation, as well as any other services and deliveries provided by the hostel for the guest.
  2. The subletting or further renting of the provided rooms or beds as well as their use for purposes other than accommodation is not permitted.
  3. The guest’s terms and conditions apply only if this has been agreed in writing beforehand.
  4. The guest’s terms and conditions apply only if this has been agreed in writing beforehand.
  5. The hostel can require an agreement with the customer that deviates from these terms and conditions for each booking.
  6. Die Hostenutzung über die vereinbarte Dauer hinaus (z.B. automatische Verlängerung) ist ausgeschlossen.

3. Contract conclusion, -partner, -liability; Statute of limitations

  1. The contract is concluded through the acceptance of the guest’s application by the hostel.
  2. The contract requires written form – unless otherwise required, the hostel accepts e-mail, fax, and letter.
  3. The customer’s booking request only becomes binding for the hostel with an explicit reservation confirmation.
  4. The guest is obliged to monitor the mailboxes of their provided email address (including spam).
  5. Wenn dem Gast keine Bestätigungsemail seiner Buchung zugeht, ist er verpflichtet sich rechtzeitig mit dem Hostel in Verbindung zu setzen.
  6. The contracting parties are the hostel and the guest. If a third party has booked on behalf of the guest, they are jointly and severally liable to the hostel together with the guest for all obligations arising from the hostel accommodation contract, provided that the hostel has received a corresponding declaration from the third party.
  7. The limitation period for all claims of the guest and the hostel is 6 months.
  8. The limitation of liability and the short limitation period also apply in favor of the hostel in the event of a breach of obligations during contract initiation and positive breach of contract.

4. House Rules

  1. The house rules visibly posted in the hostel are part of the general terms and conditions.
  2. In the event of violations of the house rules, the hostel is entitled to terminate the accommodation contract without notice. The hostel reserves the right to charge cancellation fees.

II. Room preparation, handover, and return

  1. The conclusion of the contract obliges both contracting parties to fulfill the contract. The hostel is obliged, in the event of culpable non-provision of the room, to offer the guest reasonable alternative rooms in one or more other hostels / accommodation establishments of the same or higher category. If the guest refuses this, he has no claim to damages.
  2. Upon handing over the room keys, a key deposit of 10 euros per key is due – for the loss of a key, 10 euros will be charged.
  3. The guest does not acquire any entitlement to the provision of specific rooms, beds, or facilities unless these have been confirmed in writing.
  4. Booked rooms / beds are available to the guest from 3:00 PM on the agreed day of arrival. The guest has no entitlement to an earlier provision.
  5. On the agreed day of departure, the rooms must be vacated and made available to the hostel by 11:00 a.m. at the latest; otherwise, the hostel is entitled to clear the room and is not liable for any damage that may result from this. Alternatively, the hostel reserves the right to charge 50% of the full accommodation price (list price) for the additional use of the room until 6:00 p.m., and 100% from 6:00 p.m., beyond the damage caused to it. No contractual claims of the customer are established as a result.
  6. The hostel is liable for the proper provision of the contractually agreed service. If the rented accommodation has a defect that goes beyond a mere inconvenience, the guest must immediately notify the owner of the lodging establishment, or their authorized representative, of the defect and request remedy.
  7. The rooms and facilities are handed over to the user for residential purposes in proper, clean, and functional condition. The user must treat the rooms and facilities made available to them with care and consideration.
  8. For damages / destruction and soiling of the rooms and/or facilities beyond normal use, the user must provide compensation amounting to the replacement value (in the case of damages / destruction) or the cost of removal (in the case of soiling). If the room / bed cannot be rented out as a result, the user is liable for any further damages arising from this.
  9. If the guest has smoked in the hostel unlawfully, the hostel will, as compensation for the increased cleaning effort and possible limitations in re-renting, in any case claim a minimum charge of twice the room rate. In addition, the hostel expressly reserves the right to claim further payments (e.g., fire brigade operations).
  10. Sofern nicht im Vorfeld schriftlich zwischen Hostel und Gast vereinbart, hat das Hostel nach Abreisetag 11.00 Uhr keine Aufbewahrungsverpflichtung für Gästeeigentum.

III. Withdrawal Regulations; Cancellation Fees / Default Payments

1. Allgemein

As a rule, the hostel requires the deposit of the overnight price for the first night 3 days before arrival – this amount is non-refundable, as free cancellation is no longer possible (see 3. Cancellation Terms). Without timely deposit, the entire reservation will be canceled.

Nachfolgende Regelungen können abweichen wenn zwischen dem Hostel und dem Kunden, ein gesonderter Vertrag (zB Kontingentierungsvertrag) abgeschlossen wurde.

2. Stornogebühren / Ausfallzahlungen

  1. The regulations for cancellations are governed by legal provisions. If the cancellation occurs at short notice, it cannot be assumed that the rooms/beds will be used otherwise. The ‘cancellation fee’ specifies the payment contractually owed by the customer for the first night as booked.
  2. Unless otherwise agreed, the hostel is free, in the event of cancellation not made within the deadline or non-use of the booked rooms/beds, to standardize the damage incurred and to be compensated by the guest. The guest is then obliged to pay 100% of the contractually agreed price for the first night for all booked rooms/beds. This also applies to the non-use (no-show) of individual booked rooms/beds.
  3. Accordingly, the hostel reserves the right, in case of cancellation of bookings after midnight 3 days before the arrival date, or in case of no-show on the day of booking, to charge the full fee for the first night or to offset it against any payments made, or to charge the customer’s credit card accordingly.

3. Customer’s rights to cancel the booking or withdraw from the contract

  1. Unless otherwise agreed, the customer can cancel free of charge up to midnight, 3 days before the arrival date.

4. Short-term cancellation of the booking by the hostel

In the following cases, the hostel reserves the right to cancel the entire booking without replacement:

  1. If required deposits are not received by the hostel on time;
  2. The guest does not fulfill his obligation to ensure the coverage of his credit card at any time before arrival if the booking is made by credit card;
  3. The guest does not fulfill his obligation to provide the hostel, without being asked, with proof of his rights to use a third party’s credit card;
  4. If the guest does not arrive on the agreed day (by 24:00);
  5. Deviating regulations require written form from the guest (post, fax, email) and written confirmation by the hostel;
  6. If guests do not meet the required minimum age of 18 years – unless they are accompanied by a parent and this has been agreed in advance with the hostel. The hostel reserves the right to cancel the booking – without refund of payments already made;
  7. The hostel must immediately inform the guest of the exercise of the right of withdrawal. Sending an email to the email address provided by the guest is sufficient for this purpose;
  8. In the event of a justified withdrawal by the hostel, the guest has no entitlement to compensation for damages;
  9. If the hostel has a justified reason to assume that the use of the hostel service could endanger the smooth operation of the business, the safety, or the reputation of the hostel in public, without this being attributable to the hostel’s sphere of control or organization;
  10. If guests exceed the maximum stay of 7 days without prior approval.

5. Rights of the hostel to withdraw from the contract

The house rules generally apply. In case of misconduct by individual group members, the entire group can be held responsible. The hostel reserves the right, in general, to cancel the booking in the event of violations – without refunding any payments already made.

  1. Provided that a guest’s right of withdrawal has been agreed in writing within a certain period, the hostel is, in turn, entitled to withdraw from the contract within this period;
  2. If an agreed advance payment is not made even after the expiry of a reasonable grace period set by the hostel with a warning of refusal, the hostel is also entitled to withdraw from the contract;
  3. The hostel is entitled to withdraw from the contract extraordinary for a factually justified reason, e.g. – force majeure (fire, etc.), or other circumstances for which the hostel is not responsible, making the fulfillment of the contract impossible;
  4. If rooms/beds are booked under misleading or false information of essential facts, e.g., differing in the person of the guest or the purpose;
  5. for group bookings, the following also applies:
    1. The maximum group size is limited to 4 people (clearly communicated before completing the booking). The hostel reserves the right to cancel the booking without compensation or further obligations if this limit is exceeded. This also applies in the event that the hostel determines at or after arrival that multiple individual bookings belong to a larger overall booking.
    2. If the guests/group are a youth group, bachelor party, football/fan group, etc.
    3. If group bookings are made under misleading or false statements of essential facts, e.g., regarding the nature and purpose of the trip, in the person of the organizer or in the personal details of the travelers;

IV. Services, Prices and Payment Transactions

  1. The guest is obliged to pay the prices applicable or agreed upon for the provision of rooms/beds and for any additional services used by him at the hostel in full no later than upon arrival. This also applies to services and expenses of the hostel caused by the guest to third parties;
  2. Die Bezahlung erfolgt in bar oder durch Überweisung auf das Konto des Hostels. Es besteht kein Rechtsanspruch auf Bezahlung per Kredit- oder EC Karte. Geleistete Vorauszahlungen werden verrechnet. Als Zahlungseingang gilt die Bezahlung in bar an der Rezeption bzw. die Gutschrift auf dem Konto des Hostels;
  3. Das Hostel ist berechtigt, jederzeit Vorauszahlungen in Höhe des gesamten zu erwartenden Übernachtungspreises bei Abschluss des Beherbergungsvertrages zu verlangen;
  4. The hostel can, without justification, make any order and reservation or other service to be performed dependent on the full or partial settlement of amounts owed in advance, in the form of deposits, partial payments, or full advance payments;
  5. Die vereinbarten Preise schließen die jeweilige gesetzliche Mehrwertsteuer ein. Erhöht sich zwischen Buchung und Zeitpunkt der Zahlung die Mehrwertsteuer, so wird der zu bezahlende Preis entsprechend angepasst;
  6. The currently charged bed tax/city tax in Berlin is included in the prices;
  7. Prices may change;
  8. The prices may be changed by the hostel if the guest subsequently requests changes regarding the number of rooms booked, the services of the hostel, or the length of stay of the guests and the hostel agrees to this;
  9. Any special conditions already granted must be mentioned directly at the time of booking or upon arrival. Later changes or reductions are not possible;
  10. Invoices from the hostel without a due date are payable within 10 working days from receipt of the invoice without deduction. The hostel is entitled to demand payment of accumulated claims at any time and to request immediate payment. In the event of late payment, the hostel is entitled to charge interest at a rate of 4 percent above the current discount rate of the Deutsche Bundesbank. The guest reserves the right to prove a lower damage, and the hostel the right to prove a higher damage;
  11. The guest can only offset or reduce with an undisputed or legally binding claim against a claim of the hostel;
  12. All transfer / bank fees are borne by the customer, or his authorized representative. This also applies to any refunds to be made by the hostel. Reminder fees amount to 5.00 euros per reminder;
  13. If the guest uses a third party’s credit card for their booking/payment, they are obliged – without being asked – to present the corresponding authorization to the hostel.

V. Liability

  1. The hostel is liable for the care of a prudent businessman. However, this liability is limited in non-performance-related areas to performance defects, damages, consequential damages, or disruptions that are due to the hostel’s intent or gross negligence. Should disruptions or defects occur in the services of the hostel, the hostel will, upon knowledge or immediate complaint by the guest, endeavor to provide remedy. The guest is obliged to contribute what is reasonable to remedy the disruption and minimize any possible damage;
  2. Money and valuables can be kept in the hostel safe up to a maximum value of 500.00 euros (insured sum). The hostel recommends making use of this option;
  3. For deposited and properly secured valuables, the hostel is liable to the guest according to the statutory provisions;
  4. Liability claims lapse if the guest does not immediately notify the hostel upon gaining knowledge of loss, destruction, or damage (§ 703 BGB). The necessary police report must be made immediately by the affected guest;
  5. The statutory provisions apply to the unlimited liability of the hostel;
  6. In the event of loss or damage to motor vehicles or bicycles parked or maneuvered on the hostel premises and their contents, the hostel is not liable, except in cases of intent or gross negligence. This also applies to vicarious agents of the hostel;
  7. Anyone who causes damage to the building or inventory is liable for it within the framework of legal provisions (including accompanying persons and organizers, in particular). Theft and intentional property damage will be reported immediately. Upon departure, a room inspection is carried out by the reception staff. Compensation for any damage and for lost keys will be invoiced and must be paid in cash no later than upon departure. The hostel is only liable for damages incurred by the guest if the person causing the damage acted with gross negligence. For stored luggage, motor vehicles, and bicycles parked on the hostel premises, the hostel accepts no liability;

VI. Contingent Contracts

  1. For groups or for bookings with a total value of 500 euros or more, the hostel reserves the right to conclude a block booking agreement. Separate cancellation conditions and advance payments are usually agreed between the hostel and the customer/guest. These agreements then override the corresponding provisions in these terms and conditions.
  2. A block contract with the hostel always refers to the provision of a defined number of rooms and beds of a specific category. This arrangement is binding. The occupancy of the individual rooms (assignment of the individual travelers) is carried out by the customer.

1. Advance payments

  1. The hostel is entitled, when concluding the contract, to request a reasonable advance payment in consideration of the legal provisions for hotel quota agreements. The amount of the advance payment and the payment dates are agreed upon in writing. All bank transfer fees are to be borne by the customer, even if advance payments already made are refunded. There is no entitlement to interest on advance payments made.
  2. If an agreed advance payment is not made even after the expiry of a reasonable additional period set by the hostel, the hostel is entitled to withdraw from the contract and may claim damages.

2. Contract Withdrawal

Provided that a free right of withdrawal of the customer within a certain period has been agreed in writing, the hostel is entitled to withdraw from the contract if there are inquiries from other customers for the contractually booked rooms and the customer does not waive his right of withdrawal upon the hostel’s inquiry.

3. Designation of the travel participants

The hostel can require the person responsible to name all travel participants. The personal information must be entered into the hostel’s collective registration form.

4. Changes in the number of participants and the timing

  1. A change in the booking data (date of arrival and departure, including for individual guests) requires the written consent of the hostel. There is no legal entitlement. The hostel can terminate the existing contract if the booking data is changed.
  2. There is no legal entitlement to the provision of additional beds or the extension of the stay.
  3. A change in the number of participants must be communicated to the hostel in the form of an occupancy list; it requires the written approval of the hostel.
  4. In the event of deviations in the number of participants of more than 10%, the hostel is entitled to reset the agreed prices and, if necessary, provide the customer with different rooms / beds.

5. Deposit

The hostel may require the customer to provide a reasonable deposit upon conclusion of the booking contract. The deposit will be refunded to the customer without deductions and without interest after receipt of the full invoice amount (usually upon the customer’s departure), provided that no damage has been caused by the customer/the group. If damage is found to have been caused by the customer, the deposit will initially be retained in full by the hostel and offset against the resulting repair costs. Any remaining balance will be refunded after the repair has been carried out, and the repair is carried out by a company commissioned by the hostel, with proof. Further claims for damages by the hostel are not excluded as a result.

VII. Final Provisions

  1. Changes or additions to the contract, the acceptance of the application, or these terms and conditions for hostel accommodation must be made in writing. Unilateral changes or additions by the guest are invalid. Oral agreements only become effective when they have been confirmed in writing by the hostel.
  2. Place of performance and payment is the location of the hostel.
  3. Exclusive place of jurisdiction – also for check and bill of exchange disputes – in commercial transactions is the location of the hostel. If a contracting party meets the requirements of § 38 para. 1 ZPO and has no general place of jurisdiction in Germany, the place of jurisdiction is the location of the hostel. The customer can only sue the hostel at its location. German law applies.
  4. Should individual provisions of these General Terms and Conditions for hostel accommodation be ineffective or void, or become so, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. The ineffectiveness of individual provisions of the guest accommodation contract or the guest accommodation conditions does not lead to the ineffectiveness of the entire contract. Otherwise, the statutory provisions apply. The correction of errors, as well as printing and calculation mistakes, is reserved.
  5. Vorstehende Bedingungen ersetzen alle vorherigen, auch die auf Flyern, alten Vordrucken und zu früheren Zeiten im Internet veröffentlichten Bestimmungen.