Hipster hotel in east Berlin with a modern edge and vibrant energy

Michelberger / Berlin / Germany

In the eastern part of of Berlin there is a hotel that has been the go-to place for visiting hipsters for many years now. The Michelberger is a destination in itself attracting not only us visiting from out of town but also locals. To me, that is always a successful concept for city hotels since it creates a certain kind of vibe. A very attractive vibe.

The hotel is situated in an old lighting factory just opposite Warschauer Strasse U-Bahn, right around the corner from East Side Gallery, so a perfect location to explore the heart of old communist East Berlin. And of you are here to party, (in)famous Berghain is just 10 min away.

The hotel has been design together with Werner Aisslinger and if I would describe the style as cheeky kind of creative playfulness. This style evokes a very informal, relaxed atmosphere. Michelberger is a hotel where you only use your room for sleep. You hang out in the lobby-/bar area, in the courtyard (where they also have concerts every now and then) when you aren’t out exploring the amazing city of Berlin, that is.

There are 119 rooms at Michelberger with different sizes and style depending on what your needs are. The Germans can really do good, hearty breakfasts and the Michelberger is no exception so don’t miss that, especially now since they have recently opened their own in-house bakery.

You’ve gotta love a hotel where you enter through the mouth of a monkey.

The open, welcoming reception area, setting the whimsical, warm tone.

Look what I found between the book shelf divider. M is having a coffee checking his socials.

And above his head, this magical chandelier that is one of the reasons why the lobby feels so warm, thanks to the golden, amber light.

There is a lot of space in the lobby where you can kick back and relax.

The bar/café where there is a buzz all day through the evening.

And next to the reception is a cute little hotel shop where you can get some colorful souvenirs for yourself or someone you love.

Heading up to our room and the industrial look and feel is very present.

And compared to the bright, golden light in the lobby/bar area, the corridors are somber and cozy.

One of the times we stayed here we had one of their loft rooms…

…and the next time we slept in one of the small, so called cozy rooms.

The hotel is built around a courtyard where during the warmer months you can hang out in the beer garden…

…but during the colder ones, maybe a visit to the sauna feels more tempting. At least that was the case for me.

When in Berlin it is (almost) mandatory with a visit to one of the outlets of Zeit für Brot. Their buns are even better than they look.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…want to go on a city weekend and want to stay in a cool place in a happening area but still far enough from where most of the main stream hotels are located. A hotel where you can pretend you are a local living in this exciting metropolis.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the laidback atmosphere. Even though you are in e hectic world city you somehow unwind when you enter the Michelberger which is something I like when going on city trips. Bustling on the outside, calm on the inside.

What not to miss when staying here…

…where to begin? This is Berlin after all… If I would focus on things close to Michelberger I would say the breakfast at the hotel, a beer in the sunshine on the inner courtyard and the horrible East Side Gallery which is an important reminder of what division and polarization can lead to.

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Freehand, New York City, NY, USA

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Location