A beloved Berlin budget hotel with genuine character and warmth, located near Rosenthaler Platz in Mitte. The Circus has been a traveller favourite for years for its friendly staff, social atmosphere, and attractive rooms at accessible prices. The associated hostel next door offers dorm beds. The bar and common area are excellent.
The Circus Hotel occupies a purpose-built six-storey building on Rosenthaler Strasse in Berlin-Mitte, directly at Rosenthaler Platz U-Bahn station (U8 line). That transit connection puts Alexanderplatz eight minutes away on foot or two stops by train, Hackescher Markt and the Hackesche Höfe courtyards under five minutes on foot, and Museum Island a 15-minute walk south. Prenzlauer Berg — with its dense concentration of cafés, weekend market stalls, and independent bookshops — begins just north of the hotel.
The building opened in 2009 as the hotel counterpart to the Circus Hostel, which occupies an adjacent address under the same management. The interior uses a clean contemporary language: wooden floors, bold colour accents, and full-height windows keep rooms light. The design is deliberately uncluttered, favouring practicality over decoration — consistent with the property's budget positioning while remaining a clear step above hostel-tier accommodation.
Room types range from compact doubles to larger rooms that work for families or longer stays. All rooms include en-suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and adequate desk space. Air conditioning is standard. Travellers who want dormitory beds can book the Circus Hostel next door under the same brand; the two properties share a social culture without being the same product.
Breakfast is available daily and served as a proper sit-down meal — not a vending-machine arrangement — with local bread, cheese, and hot options. The ground-floor bar operates independently of breakfast and draws a mixed crowd of guests and neighbourhood regulars through the evening. Drink prices are kept affordable, and the bar functions as the social centre of the property.
No spa or pool is on-site, which reflects the hotel's budget category. The concierge desk is consistently cited in guest reviews as a highlight: staff organise city walking tours, provide detailed neighbourhood maps, and run a bike-rental programme suited to Berlin's flat topography and extensive cycling lanes. The hotel caters primarily to independent travellers and younger visitors, though the quiet street and private rooms make it suitable for couples seeking affordable accommodation in a central neighbourhood.
Amenities
- bar
- communal areas
- concierge
- tours available
- bike rental
- breakfast available
Location
Rosenthaler Str. 1, 10119 Berlin
52.5258, 13.4023 View on map
Highlights
- Mitte location
- Traveller community feel
- Rosenthaler Platz area
- Excellent staff
Tips for visiting
- Book the hotel for private rooms or the Circus Hostel next door for dorm beds — both share the same front desk and social atmosphere.
- The ground-floor bar is open to non-guests and priced accessibly; it gets busy on weekends, so arrive early for a seat.
- Take advantage of the bike rental: Rosenthaler Platz sits at the intersection of several marked cycling routes toward Prenzlauer Berg, Tiergarten, and the East Side Gallery.
- Ask staff for their current neighbourhood dining list — the recommendations are updated regularly and reflect local preferences rather than tourist-trail staples.
Accessibility
Lift access to all floors. Rosenthaler Platz U-Bahn station directly outside the hotel has step-free access. Contact the hotel directly to confirm specific accessible room availability.