The story of the Michelberger is closely intertwined with Berlin’s own development. Nadine and Tom Michelberger opened the hotel in 2009, when Berlin’s east still felt noticeably rough around the edges. Their idea was not simply a place for guests to sleep but a creative meeting point where locals and visitors alike would come for a conversation or a drink. In a sense, they built a hotel around a bar.
Today, many hotels claim this concept, but few truly pull it off. Often it comes down to understanding the kind of energy a hotel lobby needs. The Michelbergers understood that from the start, and still do. (How exactly they make it work remains their secret; you can’t copy these things.)
The landmarked building went up around 1905 as a lamp factory, where people lived, made and sold things under one roof, a kind of blueprint for the Michelberger idea. The facade was deliberately left as it was and fits right into the rather gritty surroundings. Directly opposite are the entrances to the Warschauer Strasse subway and S-Bahn stations; around the corner are clubs, hip bars and now even gourmet restaurants, the Berlin version, meaning you can safely leave your jacket at home.
So What’s It Like?
Excellent. Check-in takes place at the bar, where most guests start with a coffee, outside in the courtyard in summer. You mingle with an international crowd, soak up the atmosphere, and only then make your way to your room. Along the way, you’ll discover extra spaces: a small cinema on the fifth floor of the rear building, or the ground-floor restaurant, where you may want to book a table for dinner straight away.
The Rooms
In the Pretty Hôtels universe, the Michelberger is one of the larger properties, with more than 130 rooms, many of them simply furnished entry-level categories at very reasonable prices (think 100 euros a night). The suites on the fourth floor, by contrast, offer wonderful views; some feature freestanding bathtubs and fluid transitions between bathroom and living space. We stayed in one ourselves and can wholeheartedly recommend the experience.
The Hideouts
Especially worth mentioning are the Hideouts, designed by the renowned Danish architect Sigurd Larsen. These are cleverly interlocking wooden modules, some with bunk-style sleeping areas for children, plus practical and very well-equipped kitchenettes. One of the larger Hideouts even includes its own sauna. The idea is simple: Those staying longer, or traveling with family, should also find a home at the Michelberger. We found it absolutely fantastic.
Bar & Restaurant
If you are staying at the Michelberger and meeting a Berliner for a business conversation, there’s no need to leave the hotel. As mentioned, the lobby is a popular meeting spot, especially in summer when the courtyard opens up. There are great drinks and small bites on offer. Naturally, we also tried the in-house restaurant, where breakfast is served as well (highly recommended). On the menu: baked Jerusalem artichoke with bergamot and lardo to start, or quark dumplings with brown butter, cabbage and king oyster mushrooms, all made with responsibly farmed ingredients.
The Farm
Speaking of cultivation: the Michelberger family now runs more than just hotels, restaurants, and bars in Berlin. They also run Michelberger Farm in the Spreewald, about an hour and a half southeast of the hotel, where many of the vegetables and greens for their restaurants are grown. Guests can also stay there, plan a workation, join a retreat, or organize one with their company.
Location
At first glance, the Michelberger may seem a little far east, but its location is truly prime. From Berlin’s main station, the S-Bahn gets you to the hotel in just 12 minutes. Behind the building is the Uber Arena, which hosts many big concerts; several musicians have stayed at the hotel and even played small extra shows in the bar. And the neighborhood has become a true hot spot, with countless bars, restaurants and clubs around the corner.
Prices
Small rooms (from about 12 square meters, or 130 square feet) around 100 euros, suites around 230 euros, Hideouts around 380 euros per night, depending on availability and season.
Booking & Contact
Michelberger Hotel
Warschauer Straße 39-40
10243 Berlin
Germany
