We’re gathering the addresses of the best B&Bs, hotels and other overnight locations we can find. All of which, we feel, are great places to go for a weekend or a bit longer. The Michelberger Hotel in East Berlin is not just a hotel, it’s basically a mini-Berlin.
What makes Michelberger Hotel a great place to stay?
The Michelberger Hotel is no ordinary hotel; it’s more a kind of refined hostel. It’s located in a beautiful building in the former East Berlin district of Friedrichshain that’s now bursting with creativity. There are small rooms available for two people, but there are also rooms that sleep four, six or eight people. The rooms are beautifully decorated, with small old-fashioned photos, soaps from Orla Kiely and quaint lighting. The corridors of the hotel have been transformed into something out of the film, The Big Lebowski; the lounge has lamps made from old magazines; and outside, there’s an entire collection of old-fashioned mailboxes. You can spend your whole day here, relaxing on the benches in the open courtyard, and in the evenings, there’s even a DJ spinning on the decks. This hotel really is like a mini Berlin per se.
What’s for breakfast?
There is a fantastic breakfast buffet on offer. You can bake your own waffles, and have them with Nutella or fried eggs. And for those who want something a little more healthy, there’s delicious organic bread, grilled vegetables, lots of cereals and yogurt, homemade jam, and sugars in a variety of flavors that you can sprinkle over fresh fruit. What’s more, the breakfast room itself is great-looking: there are long tables with a mix of second-hand chairs, and framed crochet potholders hang on the walls. Typically German, with a twist.
Our tip
Rent a bike and cycle through the city. Or visit the cozy creative Friedrichshain district. On Saturdays, there’s a lovely farmer’s market on the Boxhagener Platz square.
Good food
You can also eat a great meal at the Michelberger. As the evening draws in, the candlesticks and candles come out and adorn the tables. But you can also opt for the hip, stark-white restaurant Schneeweiss that serves Alpine dishes. Or you can pretend you’re in a parlour in Bavaria, and eat delicious knödel (dumplings) at Spaetzle und Knodel.
Good to know
The Michelberger Hotel regularly ‘pops up’ in other places around the world on a temporary basis. Sign up for their newsletter if you want to know more.
A room for two at Michelberger Hotel starts at €90 per night, excluding breakfast. Buffet breakfast is €8 per person.