The Straße der Pariser Kommune, running straight out of the Ostbahnhof, is not the most cheerful, welcoming street to present to the recently arrived traveller. Uninspiring tower blocks sit in clusters on either side of the road, some of them decidedly the worse for wear, while lifeless modern office buildings provide the only aesthetic relief. All the more pleasant, therefore, is the surprise that greets you when you find the leafy courtyard that occupies most of the Pegasus hostel/hotel combination. It appears to be the only Altbau, or old-style building in the neighbourhood and few hostels have the same serene atmosphere of an outdoor restaurant on their doorsteps.

The restaurant downstairs, called ‘Sauerkraut und Bulgur’, turns out to be one of the hostel’s best assets, for not only is it very reasonably priced, it offers a nice selection of central European and Mediterranean dishes, including some rare German specialties. The Pegasus offers value for money in other areas too. Free internet access is by no means a given in Berlin’s hotels, and the fast-food bar will hurl a mini-pizza your way for €1. Though other hostels are much closer to Berlin’s bar-restaurant quarters, this one gets you very close to the Berghain and other revered nightclubs. Since its opening in 2001, the Pegasus has enjoyed persistent popularity.