Counterculture: Uber-cool hotels in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

“If you thought Germany’s capital was cool… well, you were right. But there’s one district that takes it to the next level. Once split by the East-West divide, the ultra-hip Friedrichshain and the culturally diverse Kreuzberg are now a hub for alternative lifestyles, creativity and clubbing. Are there hotels to match? Of course there are. Uber-cool in their own way, each of these five captures the area’s unique vibe.

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nhow Berlin
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Fair play to nhow Berlin: ‘Europe’s first music hotel’ is quite a claim, but this strikingly modern property on the Friedrichshain bank of the Spree manages to pull it off. You can borrow a guitar, keyboard or DJ kit for your room, rent a recording studio for a couple of hours or enjoy one of the hotel’s own live music events. Star designer Karim Rashid did the interior, which has the perfect blend of creative energy and comfort – after a night clubbing, it’s a great place to rest up and refresh.

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Ostel Hostel
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Rather than stamping Friedrichshain with post-modern design, Ostel embraces the style of the former GDR. In fact, it indulges in some serious nostalgia inside and our – behind the socialist housing block exterior lies an equally retro interior, complete with patterned wallpaper and kitsch seventies furnishings. There are even lava lamps and Bakelite telephones on the reception desk. Location-wise, you’re seconds away from the famous Oberbaumbrücke bridge and super-club Berghain – perfect if you need to be jolted back into the 21st century.

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Michelberger Hotel
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The ultra-chic Michelberger is a design hotel in a category of its own. It occupies an old warehouse, and mixes site-appropriate industrial chic with quirky charm – think vintage furniture, original art and kitsch wallpaper. Despite all the trendiness it’s a laid-back stay that suits a wide range of guests, with rooms for families as well as single travellers. A great choice if you’re looking for a fun, friendly vibe, fantastic food and cool events that showcase the district’s creativity.

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Orania.Berlin
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In the middle of an alternative area packed with hostels, Orania.Berlin offers something different – a resolutely top-end stay. But is it still cool? We think so. It’s housed in a national monument, a former department store that was also a club and arts space. You can see traces of that history in the cosmopolitan public areas: a gourmet restaurant, a literary salon and a chic bar serving up craft beer and live jazz.

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Eastern Comfort Hotel & Hostelboat
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Big-name interior design is nice, but you don’t have to go all out for a dose of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg cool – just get yourself a room on this river boat-turned-hostel in the heart of the area. Moored on the Spree between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, the Eastern Comfort gives you easy access to the best this district has to offer. For starters, the view of the sun setting behind the iconic Oberbaumbrücke is unbeatable. Private and dorm cabins are available, as well as – a nice touch, this – on-deck tents in the summer months. There’s also a varied events programme in the bar and lounge.

If you want to see more hotels in Berlin, visit our Berlin hotels page.”