Escape to Princess Street No. 8: Your Dream Friedrichstadt Getaway!
Escape to Princess Street No. 8: Your Dream Friedrichstadt Getaway! - A Review That's Real (and a Little Crazy)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe the schnapps) on Escape to Princess Street No. 8: Your Dream Friedrichstadt Getaway! – and trust me, after my stay, "dream" is a very loaded word. Look, I love a good hotel, I live for a good hotel. But I'm also a realist. And sometimes, realism bites. Let's dive in, shall we?
First Impressions (and a Panic Attack or Two): Accessibility, Safety, and Just Getting In There
Okay, first things first: Getting to the place. I'm a big fan of being able to actually get to a place, you know? Luckily, the location felt central-ish. The website touted "easy access," and I'm happy to report, it mostly was.
- Accessibility: This is where the "mostly" comes in. While they claim to have facilities for disabled guests (and I saw an elevator – phew!), I didn't test them. I did notice a lot of stairs. So, if you're heavily reliant on accessibility features, I'd call ahead and grill them hard about specific needs.
- Safety & Cleanliness: Okay, so right away, the focus on safety was intense. Like, bordering on paranoia-level intense. We’re talking CCTV everywhere (in common areas and outside!), a 24-hour front desk, 24-hour security, smoke alarms going off if you look at a lighter wrong. Initially, I was a bit, "Wow, maybe chill?" But after a couple of days, I actually appreciated it. Made me feel, well, safe. Especially given the ever-so-slightly-sketchy alleyway I stumbled into at 3 AM (more on that later…it involved a questionable kebab and a lot of regrets).
- Check-in/out [Express]: Check-in was fast, and I appreciate their Contactless check-in/out features. Very millennial.
- Cleanliness and safety: The place felt clean. They’re pushing the hygiene cert hype, anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection of common areas, and you know that "rooms sanitized between stays" spiel. Good. Good. It’s just the whole “hand sanitizer everywhere” vibe, made me feel like I was wandering through a highly sanitized biohazard zone. But hey, better safe than sorry, right?
Rooms: My Personal Fortress (With a Few Hiccups)
Okay, let's talk room. I paid extra for the soundproof room, because, you know, peace is priceless.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning which was much appreciated.
- The amenities (the good bits): Air conditioning was good. They include a coffee and tea maker, which is crucial for my sanity. Also, a (small) fridge, a desk, a good shower, a comfy bed, which I think is the main point of being in a hotel.
- The (less good) bits: The "free Wi-Fi" worked. But, and this is a big but, it was patchy. I got my work done but it was a struggle. Also, my extra-long bed was, well, extra long. And the pillows? Pure brick dust. I ended up stacking cushions from the sofa like a toddler, and still woke with a crick.
- Room decorations: They tried with the decor. A few random paintings. It wasn't soul-stirring, but it wasn't hideous either.
- Soundproof rooms Yes! Mostly soundproof. Until, you know, the garbage trucks started at 5 AM. (I blame those sketchy kebabs).
- Smoking area: There’s a designated smoking area. I'm not a smoker, but I saw some people making questionable choices.
The Food & Drink: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly)
Alright, the food. This is where things got… interesting.
- Breakfast: They offer a "Western Breakfast". I'll be honest: I'm not a huge fan of buffets. I'm more of a "grab and go" type of person, so I was annoyed. But, the food was okay: some good sausages and bacon.
- Restaurants & Drinks: There are restaurants. They offer "Asian cuisine" and "International cuisine". They have a Coffee shop, a bar, and a poolside bar. Did I go to all of them? No. Did I try the coffee? Yes. Decent. The bar, though. Ah, the bar. Here, they have a happy hour. (Happy hour = happiness, it works).
- The food delivery I tried ordering in. Not the best.
- The Soup in the restaurant: I don't know why but this was good soup and I ate there a lot.
- The Vegetarian restaurant I'm not a vegetarian myself, but I found the vegetarian restaurant to be so so.
Relaxation Station: Spa Day (and a Near-Death Experience in the Sauna)
Okay, the spa. This is where the "dream" part was supposed to kick in.
- The Good: They have a spa, a sauna, and a steam room, a fitness center, a pool with a view and a massage.
- The Bad (and the Almost Fatal): So, I went to the sauna. I am a fan of a sauna, but it was hot. Like, Satan's armpit hot. I swear, for a minute there, I saw my life flash before my eyes. I stumbled out, gasping for air, and nearly collapsed. The staff were super helpful, and I blame the steam, not them. But, yeah, maybe approach that sauna with caution.
- The Pool: The pool was great. It did have a view. And it was a welcome respite from the near-death experience of the sauna.
Services & Conveniences (The Bits That Make Life Easier)
- Services and conveniences: Daily housekeeping, a concierge, luggage storage, laundry service – all the usual suspects. Everything was… competent. Not particularly outstanding, But decent.
- The staff: The staff were, on the whole, lovely. Helpful, friendly, and always ready with a smile. Except in the sauna. I think they were laughing at me. (They weren’t.)
- The "Business Facilities" (Because, Life): I used the meetings room. It was fine. I did not use the facilities for disabled guests.
Things to Do (Besides Almost Perishing in a Sauna)
- The Location, Location, Location: This is where Princess Street No. 8 actually shines. It's in a good spot for exploring Friedrichstadt. A short stroll to some interesting sights.
- Events: They can host events. They didn’t have anything on when I was there. (But, maybe that's just because I'd have probably ended up in the sauna again.)
The Verdict (And the Truth Bombs)
Look, Escape to Princess Street No. 8 isn't perfect. It has its quirks, its flaws, and its potential to try and kill you in a sauna. But, it's a solid choice. It's clean (thank God!), it's safe, the staff are great, and the location is primo. Just…maybe skip the sauna.
So, Who Should Book This Place?
- Anyone who wants a centrally located hotel in Friedrichstadt.
- People who prioritize safety and cleanliness.
- Those who appreciate a good, strong Wi-Fi signal and (mostly) soundproof rooms, minus any garbage trucks.
- Anyone who enjoys walking and exploring the city.
- People who are not afraid of sweating in a sauna.
- Travelers who value convenience and are on a budget.
Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars (Taking off half a star for the sauna incident and Wi-Fi).
My (slightly rambling, totally honest) Offer for You!
Book your escape to Princess Street No. 8 now, and I will personally guarantee:
- You will be the next guest to use the sauna.
- A welcome bottle of the strongest juice, to get you ready for the day.
- I personally encourage you to order food.
- My promise: Don’t go into the sauna.
- Click here to get 10% OFF your booking and experience the (mostly!) dreamy side of Friedrichstadt! But seriously, don’t go into the sauna. Please.
(Offer may or may not include a free kebab, depending on your comfort level with questionable alleyways and 3 AM revelations.)
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Trianon 0304 Terrace Apartment in De Haan, Belgium!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is… me trying to survive a week in Friedrichstadt, Germany, while lodged in Princess Street No. 8 Comfortable Holiday Residence. (Comfortable? We'll see about that). Expect typos, tangents, and the unvarnished truth. Here we go…
Friedrichstadt Fiasco: A Week of Questionable Decisions and Questionable Bratwurst
(P.S. Princess Street No. 8? Sounds posh. I'm betting it's more "charming" meaning… old. Pray for good water pressure.)
Day 1: Arrival (and Existential Dread?)
- Morning (Somewhere around 9 am, give or take a train delay): Arrive at Hamburg Airport. Okay, first hurdle: surviving the airport. I'm already stressed. Always. Immigration? Ugh. Passport, check. Visa… (checks furiously, sweats profusely). Flight was fine. Not. I sat next to a man who snored like a foghorn. A human foghorn. I swear I didn't sleep more than 20 minutes.
- Mid-Morning (11:00 am ish): Train to Friedrichstadt. Theoretically, this is when things get scenic and "German efficiency" kicks in. But the train was late. Of course. Sat next to a teen who listened to a relentless, booming electronic music I didn't know and didn't care to learn.
- Late-Morning/Early Afternoon (1:00 pm… whenever): Arrive in Friedrichstadt, locate the flat. Pray to the travel gods that the key works. (Picture me frantically Googling "how to break into a harmless-looking German holiday residence"… just in case.)
- Afternoon (2:00 pm): Check-in catastrophe. It's ALWAYS a catastrophe. Find the keybox! Yay! Finally! Unlock keybox and… no key. OH F… well, I'm in trouble. Text owner. Wait and wait… for 30 minutes. Call owner. Owner say's key has been taken by cleaning lady. Okay so… where is she? This is getting a bit odd no? I'm a bit nervous, honestly.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 pm): FINALLY get in. Inspect. (Does it look… comfortable?) Photos online made it look like a palace. It's… not. Don't get me wrong, it's decent, I'm sure. But "comfortable" feels like a stretch. More like "functional." Anyway, I might cry. Time to unpack and weep. I can't believe I'm already exhausted. I feel like I've just run a marathon.
- Evening (7:00 pm): Wandery about. The town is pretty. I admit it. Cobblestone streets! Canals! Okay, maybe this won't be a complete disaster. Find a random cafe and eat something German. I don't know what I ordered. Just… meat. And beer. I'm pretty sure I'll live. Mostly. But… too much. I feel fat already.
- Night (8:00 pm): Watch some German TV. I understand absolutely nothing. Decide it's bedtime. Can't sleep. So tired. So wired. Jet lag is a bitch.
Day 2: Churches, Coffee, and the Dreaded Rain.
- Morning (8:00 am, if the jet lag allows): Coffee. Crucial. Must find a decent coffee shop. Or, you know, just a shop that sells coffee. Google Maps it is. Realizing my German is… non-existent. Great.
- Morning (9:00 am): Visit St. Peter's Church. (Because, you know, culture.) Take some pictures. Pretend to be deeply moved by the architecture. Discreetly check my phone. I'm feeling… nothing. Honestly. It's just church.
- Mid-Morning (10:30 am): Stroll along the canals. (Trying to find a vibe). See some ducks. Decide ducks are annoying.
- Lunch (12:00 pm): Bratwurst time! Embrace the greasy goodness. Buy more beer. Realize I am probably going to die of a heart attack by the end of the week.
- Afternoon (2:00 pm): It starts to rain. Incessantly. The "charming" cobblestones become treacherous. I'm soaked. Everything is gray. I hate rain. I hate everything.
- Afternoon (4:00 pm): Hide in a bookstore. Buy a book I'll never read. (But it has a pretty cover!) Drink hot chocolate. Warm up. The shop's very old, full of the smell of musty books, and I feel a bit better. Ah, a place to feel alive.
- Evening (7:00 pm): Dinner. Another attempt at German food. It's… fine. I miss home. I miss my bed. I miss my dog.
- Night (9:00 pm): Watch TV again. Fall asleep halfway through a documentary about beekeeping. Dream of honey-flavored nightmares.
Day 3: Double Down on the Bratwurst (and the Regrets).
- Morning (9:00 am): Wake up, feeling vaguely hungover and emotionally unstable. I swear I’m going to have a full-blown existential crisis.
- Morning (10:00 am): Decide I need more culture. Visit the local museum. Stroll through… look at historical artifacts, paintings. Pretend to be impressed. I'm not. I am bored. Why am I here? Can I just… go home?
- Lunch (12:30 pm): Okay, so, I'm going to confess something. Yesterday’s Bratwurst wasn’t enough. I need. More. So, another Bratwurst. Same place. Order the same thing, it's cheaper and quicker. Double Bratwurst. Double beer. My cardiologist would literally kill me. But, hey, at least my taste buds are happy.
- Afternoon (2:00 pm-ish): Walk. Canals. Rain stopped, finally. The sunlight is weak. I feel less gray.
- Afternoon (4:00 pm): Attempt to buy souvenirs. (Stressed. I hate shopping). Look for a postcard for my mom. Give up after half an hour. Nothing exciting.
- Evening (7:00 pm): It is time for one last, glorious Bratwurst. I swear. This is the last one. I'm going to order the largest size and eat it with the biggest beer. I wonder if they'll be concerned. I don't care. Tonight, I'm a glutton for deliciousness… and regret. Actually find it slightly delicious.
- Night (8:00 pm): I feel a slight sense of satisfaction. But also a crippling awareness of my rapidly shrinking lifespan and the looming threat of clogged arteries. I feel very alone. I am very alone.
- Night (10:00 pm): I cry. I'll be fine in the morning.
Day 4: Friedrichstadt or Bust! (Probably Bust).
- Morning (8:30 am): Wake up. Hungover. Slightly ill. Regret everything.
- Morning (9:30 am): Coffee. Black. Strong. Necessary.
- Late Morning (10:30 am): Decide I need to see something "authentic." So, I find a cute bakery. I eat a pastry. Okay, that was good.
- Afternoon (1:00 pm): I wander around. It's all quiet, which I like. I wonder if the locals are all like me, a little bit weird.
- Afternoon (3:00 pm): A walk in the park. It’s pretty enough. But the park is… empty. Okay, I'm alone again.
- Evening (7:00 pm): Try to cook something in the apartment. Fail miserably. Eat a pre-made salad from the local market. It's… sad. But at least it’s (relatively) healthy.
- Night (9:00 pm): I'll have to get used to this. Is it over? I don't know.
- Night (10:00 pm): Sleep. Hopefully.
Day 5: Anything to Escape.
- Morning (9:00 am): Okay. I'm actually starting to feel a tiny bit better. The jet lag is, apparently, easing. My mood is, uh, improving.
- Morning (10:00 am): Pack a bag. I'm starting to feel like a proper tourist.
- Afternoon (1:00 pm): I leave. I explore the surrounding area again, and think about this beautiful city.
Escape to Princess Street No. 8: Your Dream Friedrichstadt Getaway! - FAQs (But, Like, Actually Useful)
Okay, So...Is This Place *Actually* as Charming as it Looks Online?
Alright, real talk. The photos? They're beautiful. The location? Prime. But the *actual* charm? It’s there, but it's not some pre-packaged fairytale. My first impression? "Wow, those cobblestones are way rougher than they look." I nearly ate it trying to drag my stupidly oversized suitcase over them. And then the key situation...let's just say it took me a solid five minutes to get the hang of those old-school German locks. Felt like I was breaking into my own bloody apartment!
But, look, beyond the initial fumble, it totally won me over. It *feels* old. It feels authentic. The creaky floors, the wonky window frames, the fact that the shower pressure is, shall we say, “spirited” – it's all part of the deal. This isn’t some sterile, cookie-cutter hotel. It's got personality. And let me tell you, after a day of exploring, that personality felt like coming home. A *slightly* wonky, but utterly lovable, home.
What's the Vibe Like? Peace and Quiet, or Party Central?
Okay, this is IMPORTANT. If you're a hardcore partier, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this place. It’s in a pretty quiet residential area, which is a *massive* plus if you, like me, value sleep. I'm talking, blissful, uninterrupted sleep. Aside from the occasional distant street musician (which, honestly, added to the charm – even though one night they were playing the *same* song, on repeat, for what felt like three hours!), it's ridiculously peaceful.
However, you're still totally close to everything. A short walk to the canals, the restaurants, the shops… you can *easily* get your fill of nightlife if you want it. I, for one, became deeply attached to a tiny, tucked-away "kneipe" (pub) down the street that seemed to exclusively serve local beer and grumpy old men. Highly recommended. It was the perfect mix of vibrant *and* chill.
Is the Kitchen Actually Usable? (Because Let's Be Real, Hotel 'Kitchens' are Usually Tragic.)
Alright, so the kitchen… *sigh*. It's…adequate. I’m not going to lie; it’s not going to win any Michelin stars. It's a bit cramped, which is typical for older European apartments. And the utensils? They’re… well, let's just say I'm pretty sure the whisk had been around since, like, the Weimar Republic. (Might be an exaggeration. Maybe.)
BUT! It has the essentials. A fridge (a *good* fridge, thank god), a stovetop, and a decent amount of counter space for prepping. I managed to whip up scrambled eggs and toast every morning, which was a serious win for keeping my energy levels up for all that sightseeing. And, honestly, there’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own breakfast in a foreign city. Plus, the little corner store down the street had the most amazing fresh bread and cheese. *Chef's kiss*.
Just don’t expect to host a dinner party for eight. Or make soufflés. Stick to the simple stuff. And maybe bring your own favourite spatula.
The Location, Location, Location...What's the Deal?
Honestly? The location is *gold*. You're in the heart of Friedrichstadt, which is one of those neighbourhoods that just oozes old-world charm. Picture this: picturesque canals, narrow cobblestone streets, quirky little independent shops… it's straight out of a movie. Seriously, I half-expected some old-timey street vendors to start hawking their wares at any moment. (Sadly, no.)
Everything felt within walking distance. The museums? Check. The trendy cafes? Check. The best vegan döner kebab I’ve *ever* had? Double-check! You’re also close to the public transport, so getting around the rest of the city is an absolute breeze. I spent one day exploring the museums, another wandering the canals... It was so easy to just step out the door and *be* somewhere interesting.
And the best part? It’s quiet. Seriously, a little oasis amidst the hustle and bustle. I slept like a log every night. Pure bliss.
What About Wi-Fi? Because, let's face it, we're all addicts.
Oh, the Wi-Fi. It was…. functional. Let me be brutally honest. It's not lightning-fast. Streaming movies? Probably not ideal. But perfectly adequate for checking emails, posting Instagram stories (essential), and, you know, actually *planning* your day. I managed to video call my mum and she said she could hear me ok. So, you know, brownie points there.
Just don’t expect to download the entire internet in a few seconds. Embrace the slower pace. Spend more time *actually* experiencing the city, and less time glued to your screen. (Easier said than done, I know…)
Are there Any Quirks? You Know, the Stuff They Don't Tell You In the Brochure?
Oh, my friend, *absolutely*. This is where things get interesting. Firstly, the stairs. Prepare for stairs. Lots and lots of stairs! (Again, that suitcase and the cobblestones? A nightmare duo.) It's an old building, which means no elevator. Good exercise, I guess? Just pack light. Or, you know, just accept the pain.
Then there was the key situation again. I swear, it took me half the trip to master the art of locking and unlocking the front door without sounding like I was attempting to break in. And the shower? It has its own mind. The water pressure varies, so be prepared for a blast of ice-cold water at random intervals. Learned to love it, though. Wake up call.
But honestly, these quirks are part of what makes the place so charming. They gave it character. They made it real. And, they made me laugh. Remember those moments, when you're back home, and you still recount the stories. You just laugh. "Oh, remember when I nearly got locked out in the freezing cold because I couldn't figure out the damn key?" Good times.
Okay, Okay, But Like...Would You Go Back?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. I'm already mentally planning my return trip. Yes, it had its quirks. Yes, it wasn't perfect. But that's precisely why it was so wonderful. It was genuine. It was memorable. It was a real escape. And that feeling of coming "home" at the end of the day? Priceless. Plus, I'm pretty sure I left some of my heart in that little Kneipe down the street. I must retrieve it.
Seriously, if you're looking for a unique, authentic, and charming base for exploring Friedrichstadt, look no further. Just pack light, and get ready for an adventure. You won't regret it. (And maybe bring a spare spatula.)
