Inselhostel - Judith Kleiner — Hotel in Lindau (Bodensee)

2019, second summer in Lindau, second summer in the brilliant Inselhostel! Lovely. Here's last year's review: 2018: I think the owners of this hostel have really got it right: to quote Zac Brown & Co., "you get everything you need, and nothing that you don't". I'll start with what I consider to be important and work down. The ambience of this place is just great. Don't expect any frills or luxuries. I felt like home: easy, warm, happy, just nice. Staff really are absolutely wonderful. The reception is not open around the clock, though there is an emergency telephone number. Facilities are simple yet adequate. There's a well-equipped kitchen, you get a locker and a shelf in the fridge, pots, pans, four separate hobs, oven, microwave, all the necessaries, and there's a great supermarket nearby. My room (#3) was roomy and bright, with a decent wardrobe, study, large mirror and a really comfy bed. The room has a colossal radiator so I would guess it will be nice and warm in winter (this is just an educated guess). There are Miele washing machines and dryers (his and hers separate, 1 Euro a shot), clotheslines, a steam iron and board. In summer I do fear one does sweat, so laundry is a necessity. The shared loos and showers I found adequate, I never (ever) had to wait. I stayed for 2 weeks and have had no complaints with cleanliness. But let's be fair: If whoever goes in before you is a squalid so-and-so, it is hardly the hostel's fault; it is a shared facility after all. I see others have commented on the showers and I agree: there's this infernal sensor on each tap, in front of which you need to waive your arm / hand / available body part to get running water. I sort-of managed to master it in the end, but it did take a fair amount of practice. 2019 update: I have mastered the shower taps! You move your hand slowly towards the black sensor above the mixer valve, then once you get to about 1 inch distance you move your hand away again. And lo and behold, it works! Inselhostel's location is tops, immediately opposite the train station and a stone's throw from the Dialoge language school, if that's what you're attending. Lindau island is small, so getting around on foot is easy. Even the bus terminus is right in front of the hostel. This brings me to a problem: noise. The rooms facing the train station have gorgeous views (see pictures). But if you do open the windows, you get the racket of the trains' rattling Diesel engines plus the din of the street. You also get the baking late afternoon westerly sun, which can make the room really warm. So at least for summer, especially if you are averse to noise, I would recommend you try getting rooms facing anything but the railway stn. Not that it is tragic; my neighbour says it doesn't bother him at all. The hostel takes up a floor and a half of a nondescript late seventies building. This has been caringly outfitted somewhere around 2015 I would guess. The building's lift does not serve the hostel, and seen as it is on the first and second floor, I suppose it is not suitable for people with mobility restrictions. Acid test: Would I come here again? Absolutely! Some tips: Do book early. Do bring a hairdryer. Bring two towels or more, as they do stay soggy. Wash clothes on a weekday, as clotheslines on Sunday are in high demand. The lake is super for swimming in, but do bring a pair of flip-flops (plastic sandals) or some such because the wooden bridge over the railroad on the way to the lake does have splinters. Bring an umbrella and mosquito repellant. Try not to drink too much (I...

We chose this hostel because we wanted to be in the heart of the city. Our expectations were completely fulfilled. Walking distances to every spot in the island, parking place pretty close (Seeparkplatz).||The double room was very large and clean. The showers and bathrooms also very clean.||The kitchen with everything you need for cooking, you have for free tea and coffee and also lots of spices. Very good idea with that "community locker" where people puts the food that doesn't need anymore and you can take it from there. We also left our items that we didn't eat. Just be sure that you check on the expiry date before eating.||Very helpful staff, Dora provided lots of information about hostel, restaurants in the area, parking, supermarket, etc.||We definitely recommend this place as an alternative to expensive hotels...

This a very nice and convenient, yet cheap place.||It is situated right on the fantastic historic island of Lindau.|Excellent for a touristic stroll or visiting a restaurant.||Even by car it is convenient, because parking can be done relatively cheap in a nearby garage, even very cheap overnight.|For public transport: the train-station is across the street. ||I stayed in a 8 bed dormitory with ample space and clean bedding.|There is a large both well equipped and well organised kitchen, which I used for breakfast.|Bathrooms are clean and functional. Showers were on a different floor.||Access was by a clever system which released a key by a code.||I would definitely stay there again when going...