So Airbnb, have you tried it?
Airbnb has been around for a while now and despite having a few saved properties on there I’d never actually stayed in one, until Berlin.
I composed a shortlist of potential properties in Berlin on Airbnb and shared it with my three girlfriends, secretly hoping they’d all like my favourite. They did *phew*.
The chalk wall where visitors have left little messages was a personal touch. The ceilings are high, and the windows tall, letting in plenty of light. And there was even a balcony. I’d stay here again without hesitation.
The apartment is in an area called Moabit, which is a great area, but it is off the beaten track of most tourists as there aren’t masses of key historical hotspots here. So it isn’t really a place many people know unless they are living or staying there.
To me, this makes it a bit of a hidden gem and all the more interesting.
It takes about 15 minutes on the subway (the entrance of which is right outside the flat- Birkenstrasse) to get to Brandenburg Gate- so its not miles away from anything by any means. I think it feels different because each neighbourhood in Berlin is so distinctive.
Those doors!! That parquet floor!! That coat rack!!
SWOONING!
The building and the apartment are very much like older New York architecture. Almost like a bigger version of Carrie Bradshaw’s flat (Sex and the City). If you’ve seen the original Rosemary’s Baby (Roman Polanski) it reminded me of the apartment in that, the rooms flow into one another, all off a central hall.
Period features are everywhere in this property, from the cornicing to the ceiling roses to the door handles (I fell head over heels for these).
There are five single beds across two bedrooms in this apartment, plus an Ikea daybed in the Living room. So six people can fit into this accommodation, it felt the perfect size for four of us though.
Surrounding the apartment are a couple of restaurants and corner shop/off licenses as well as a huge supermarket. Not forgetting the vegan cafe and the markhalle I talked about in my previous post.
Check out the listing over on Airbnb here- Bohemian Berlin Apartment – if you want to stay somewhere and experience Berlin almost like a local than I’d really recommend this Airbnb. Marlene, the host came to meet us and show us into the apartment. All our communication previous to arriving had been superb, it helps that her English is so good.
I think Airbnb is possibly made for people like me- I love seeing inside other peoples homes!
If you have any Airbnb suggestions do pop them in the comments. I’d love to see where you’ve stayed!
susan earlam ~ horror author 
30 responses to “I popped my Airbnb cherry in Berlin”
What a gorgeous place to stay 🙂 I did Air BnB in america when it first started, stayed in a beautiful NY loft in Williamsburg!
Wow! That sounds amazing! Is it on your blog? Will have a look x
I love Airbnb – I feel it allows you to live like a local rather than a tourist which suits my travel style. We stayed in this gorgeous apartment in Copenhagen last week – https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/5460986 – I highly recommend it!
That’s on my current hit list Kaleigh! Thanks for sharing x
I popped my Air BNB virginity in Japan this year. One in Tokyo and the other in Kyoto. The one in Tokyo was fabulous, it was airy, lots of light coming through the windows, great view, lovely personal touches were added however in Kyoto it wasn’t quite so nice, it looked like it had been converted from a garage into an apartment, it was very, very cold with concrete walls and it smelt of petrol however the pictures on Air BNB were so misleading!
It sounds like you managed to score a hit in Berlin!
Lima
X
Hi Lima- what a shame about the second one, you do hear some stories about these bad ones dont you!
I have an AirBnb “date” coming up when I go to Vancouver in Summer, the place looks beautiful! I hope it works out as well as yours has! xx
Oh that sounds brilliant Holly! Fingers crosssed
What an amazing place to stay! x
It really was- we were chuffed! Hope your weekend has been fab x
I’m in love and so want to go back to berlin! Isn’t Airbnb just the best way to travel? Gorgeous, glad you had a great stay xx
Aw thanks lady! Such a great city and yes- totally into Airbnb now
Ooh what a great find! I do love scouring Airbnb for the most interesting places, it’s such a wonderful collection.
Ah thanks Jen- its rather addictive isnt it!
Looks cool. We stayed in a really lovely one in Copenhagen http://littlebigbell.com/where-to-stay-in-copenhagen-an-airbnb-flat-in-the-cool-area-of-island-brygge/
Ah thanks Geraldine! Copenhagen is on my Must Do list!
What a fabulous place! Oh I’m just dying over all those original features too! I’ve yet to stay in an Airbnb but you’re making me want to now! xxx
Ah Kimberly you should have a browse on the site, there’s some corkers!
Love it. We look on airbnb every year when planning our holiday but always back out at the last minute. I think when we are just a couple again (long way off) Hubby and I will go for it. My eldest son has stayed in a beautiful paris apartment through airbnb and loved it.
Yeah I know what you mean about the kids thing. That moment of uncertainty on arrival (what if they dont turn up/got my booking wrong) would be a nightmare with kids in tow x
Ooooh, I LOVE this apartment! Yes, those doors! What a find. I agree when you say it’s a great way to see peoples houses, especially if they look like this! I too am staying in my first airbnb next month, in Lisbon. xx
Pippa! Good luck with Lisbon- another place on my hitlist!
I’ve never used air bnb but regularly check it out. It’s such a fab idea and there are some lovely places on there. I really like the fact that the owner often meets you there so you have someone to grill about the local area. This looks like a great find.
Stacey I’d recommend it- maybe the first time on a weekend without the kids 😉
now that is a gorgeous apartment! I do love Air bnb 🙂 Sounds like a fun trip A xxx
Looks gorgeous! I love Air bnb as you can find places with so much character. This is right up my street. Hope you had a fab stay xx
This looks like an amazing place to stay, though I fear I’d never actually get out and experience Berlin for staring at the gorgeous door handles…
Hahaha- a girl after my own heart x
That property is gorgeous! I’ve never used airbnb before, but you’re definitely making me want to give it a shot. I love the idea of experiencing a place almost like a local.
Heather you should totally try it!! Thanks for stopping by xx