In Berlin, staying at a hotel can be an experience in itself. Away from standardised hotel chains, the German capital is full of unusual places to stay: former industrial buildings transformed into hotels, creative concepts combining accommodation and social spaces, bold design and immersive atmospheres.
Discover some of Berlin’s most original hotels: stay on a boat, in a caravan or a capsule, or choose from arty, eco-friendly and trendy hotels with creative and design-led interiors.
Shipotel Berlin
Moored on the Spree alongside the East Side Gallery, the Eastern Comfort is one of Berlin’s most unusual places to stay and one of the city’s few floating hostels.
Its location between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain is particularly convenient for those looking to enjoy Berlin’s nightlife. There are options for different budgets, from private cabins to dormitories.
The terrace offers great views over the Spree, while the onboard bar hosts an international evening every Wednesday – a great opportunity to meet other travellers.
Hüttenpalast
One of the most unusual hotels in Berlin, Hüttenpalast offers rooms inside caravans! Don’t worry: this is more like luxury camping, with the caravans housed inside a beautifully designed vintage hall.
Located in the trendy Kreuzkölln area, between Kreuzberg and Neukölln, Hüttenpalast offers an original experience at relatively affordable prices.
25 hours Berlin
The star hotel of the Charlottenburg / Tiergarten area, 25hours Bikini Berlin is design-focused and filled with playful touches, including hammocks in some of the rooms.
The setting is green, with views overlooking Berlin Zoo and the vast Tiergarten park. The surrounding area has also undergone a major transformation, with the C/O Berlin photography centre and the Bikini Berlin shopping centre just nearby.
Space Night Capsule Hostel
At this capsule hotel, you might feel as though you’ve stepped into a spaceship! This budget-friendly accommodation is ideally located in central Berlin, close to many of the city’s main attractions.
However, it is probably not the best choice if you are claustrophobic or sensitive to noise.
Michelberger Hotel
Another design hotel offering relatively affordable rates, the Michelberger Hotel combines creativity, originality and a relaxed atmosphere.
There are several types of rooms, each with its own distinctive character. They work well for all kinds of travellers: solo travellers, couples, families, groups of friends or colleagues. Some rooms are more like small lofts.
The hotel’s industrial building is particularly striking, and its location just a few steps from Warschauer Strasse station makes it an excellent base for exploring Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.
Hotel Provocateur
This glamorous hotel takes its inspiration from the 1920s, with an unmistakably sensual and theatrical interior. The rooms are comfortable and feature large showers or freestanding bathtubs.
The elegant bar and restaurant are popular with Berlin’s fashionable crowd. The hotel is located in charming Charlottenburg, a neighbourhood with a distinctly timeless atmosphere.
What makes a hotel in Berlin “unusual”?
In Berlin, unusual hotels come in many different forms: art hotels where every room is a work of art, accommodation in converted spaces such as former factories, boats or swimming pools, highly creative design concepts, and unconventional formats such as capsule hotels or indoor camping.
What they have in common? They are places you are unlikely to forget.
Are Berlin's unusual hotels suitable for couples?
Yes, most of them are. Arte Luise Kunsthotel and Hotel Provocateur are particularly well suited to romantic getaways.
Hüttenpalast and Michelberger Hotel are also good options for couples looking for somewhere with a distinctive atmosphere.
Can you find unusual hotels in Berlin on a budget?
Yes – and this is one of Berlin’s advantages compared with many other European capitals.
Space Night Capsule Hostel and Hüttenpalast offer genuinely unusual experiences at relatively accessible prices. An unusual hotel doesn’t necessarily mean a luxury hotel – quite the opposite in some cases.
Which neighbourhoods have unusual hotels in Berlin?
Our selection covers several parts of the city, including Mitte, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Neukölln and the banks of the Spree.
There is no single neighbourhood dedicated to unusual hotels: original places to stay can be found throughout Berlin.
Are these unusual hotels well connected by public transport?
All the hotels in our selection are accessible by public transport.
Some are particularly well located for exploring the city, such as the Michelberger Hotel just steps from Warschauer Strasse, 25hours in Charlottenburg and Arte Luise Kunsthotel in central Mitte, within easy reach of Berlin’s main sights.
How far in advance should you book an unusual hotel in Berlin?
Yes, it is worth booking ahead. The more distinctive rooms and accommodation options at these hotels can fill up faster than those at more conventional hotels.
During the high season and major events in Berlin, we recommend booking at least one month in advance.
Our Berlin hotel recommendations
Discover our other hotel guides by neighbourhood:
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