the location
Let’s start with a bit of geography, as Kyritz is charming but not on everyone’s radar. If you’re traveling from Berlin, you take the highway towards Hamburg and, after about an hour, turn off to reach Bantikower Lake. This lake is a popular spot, home to “the Insl,” a destination loved by everyone from the Prenzlauer Berg Berlin crowd. The great thing is that it’s a fantastic spot for summer holidays. An idyll straight out of the 1980s, when it was part of the Eastern German government.
The Apartment
To find the apartment, head to the center of Kyritz and look for the largest property around. This is the former headquarters of the Trade and Agriculture Bank. A building that truly makes a statement, built in 1910 and now brought back to life by two very charming and creative women who commute between Berlin and Kyritz and who captivate over a million followers on Instagram with their design and food content (@_foodstories_).
The loft apartment is absolutely stunning. Laura and Nora have done an incredible job renovating the first floor of this historic building, turning it into a true showcase space. Thanks to their connections with brands that produce beautiful kitchens, chairs, beds, and home accessories, the space is filled with high-quality, stylish pieces. It’s a room that any hotelier with plans to open a property should take note of.
The apartment is perfect for four guests. The main living area includes one bedroom, and there’s a second, separate bedroom next door. Both bedrooms have private bathrooms, so it’s easy to stay comfortably, even if you’re not all that familiar with each other. The bathrooms are beautifully outfitted with towels, soap, shampoo, and shower gel from the Copenhagen brand Frama.
The kitchen really is the heart of this apartment. Designed by the English brand deVol Kitchens, it features a Smeg fridge, induction cooktop, and oven. Plus, it’s stocked with everything you could possibly need: a dishwasher, espresso machine, high-quality pots and pans, coffee maker, Vitamix blender, hand mixer, immersion blender, waffle iron – even a kitchen scale for those precise measurements when you’re following a recipe.
A quick side note: that morning, we ran into the well-known publisher Angelika Taschen at the café downstairs, just as she was setting off on a pilgrimage. Just the kind of encounter you have in Kyritz!
The highlights of the large studio apartment (210 square meters on the second floor): A Scandinavian wooden kitchen from Kvänum x Frama CPH with travertine worktop, portafilter machine from La Marzocco, coffee maker from Bodum, Lacanche stove with 2 ovens, 2x Miele built-in refrigerator & freezer cabinets, Miele dishwasher, details for professional chefs such as hand mixer, blender, kitchen scales, everything there. Lounge area with 2 Italian sofas, vintage dining table with Danish wooden chairs. 3 bedrooms for up to six people and two bathrooms. Grandiose.
the patio
To make the experience even better for future guests, the courtyard has also been completely redesigned. It’s a beautiful area, lined with climbing vines on the house walls, featuring lounge furniture, a dining table, and an outdoor kitchen by Atoll Berlin—perfect for a small grill party.
the region
Kyritz is just a 7-minute drive from Bantikower Lake. Laura and Nora took us to a completely secluded forest area where we could stroll along a path leading to the lake. It’s a great spot for setting up a tent during the day. In the middle of the area, you’ll find a popular local eatery called “die Insl.” If you prefer, there’s also an ice cream café and a small organic grocery store right in the pedestrian zone below. During our visit, there was even a market taking place in the square.
dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome here. Upon request, dog beds in various sizes and bowls can be provided.
Special
You can also arrive by train, as it’s just a 5-minute walk from the station. To explore the area, there are four St. Oak bicycles available for use free of charge.
Price
Apartment from 280 euros per night.
Booking & contacts
St. Oak Apartments
Marktplatz 2B
16866 Kyritz
Germany
