| Well-furnished, spacious (approximately 65 square metres), one bedroomed holiday flat. The vacation rental has been newly renovated and all furnishings are new. Suitable for one or two people, this provides a splendid alternative to hotel accommodation. The building, originally built in 1900, was totally renovated in 2000. The holiday flat was also renovated at that time and again in mid-2005. It is situated on the raised groundfloor of the ‘hinterhaus’ – one goes through the courtyard to the back building. The apartment, therefore, is extremely quiet as its reception rooms overlook a now disused 19th century brewery. The sitting room, approximately 18 square metres, is furnished in contemporary style, dominated by a very comfortable leather sofa. There is another, two-seater sofa, by a Swiss designer. There is a French balcony, overlooking the communal garden. The room contains a flat screen, LCD television set, a digibox which provides 32 channels as well as a number of radio channels, a DVD player with a selection of films, comedy programmes, operas and concerts, and bookshelves with a selection of guide books to Berlin, novels and history. The room also features two original oil paintings by contemporary artist Julian Paltenghi.
The bedroom, approximately 17.5 square metres, is furnished in an oriental style, with a low Japanese double bed and two chests of drawers. The kitchen is fully fitted with modern appliances – dishwasher, gas hob, electric oven, fridge and freezer – and contains a dining table (expandable) and six chairs. The glasses, porcelain and cutlery are of high quality. The bathroom contains the usual fittings, plus a wardrobe, washing machine, drying rack, iron and ironing board.
The flat is situated on the borders of Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg and Berlin-Mitte and provides very easy access to the historic centre of Berlin, whether on foot or on public transport. It is only seven minutes' walk from Alexanderplatz, the hub of the former East Berlin. Beyond Alexanderplatz, the road gradually becomes Unter den Linden, surely the most famous street in all Berlin. Here may be found Museum Insel, with the Cathedral, Pergamon Museum and National Gallery. The Staats Oper and the Komische Oper are both only a short distance away.
Before 'die Wende' in 1989, Prenzlauer Berg was one of the poorest areas of Berlin, despite its streets of fine apartment buildings. No area has been transformed so radically. It is now being restored to its original glory. The streets are broad, tree-lined and most of the buildings, dating from 1900, have been lovingly renovated. The area is now one of the most vibrant in Berlin, with an extraordinary choice of restaurants – Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Sri Lankan, Italian, Mexican, Russian – and many cafes and cocktail bars. It was in Prenzlauer Berg restaurants that former US President Bill Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin chose to dine in recent visits to Berlin.
In addition, there are many designer shops – clothes, ceramics, antiques – which gives the area its distinctive charm. A former 19th century brewery has been converted into the Kultur Brauerei, a centre for the arts containing a multiplex cinema, theatre, shops, bars and restaurants. Prenzlauer Berg is very much a centre for the young and affluent to live and play. Metzer Strasse is a broad tree-lined avenue with a central promenade, which runs from Schönhauser Allee to Prenzlauer Allee. The U-bahn station, Senefelder platz (on the U2 line), is to be found on the former providing fast and easy access to all of Berlin, and a tram stop on the latter takes one directly to Hackescher Markt, famous for its Art Nouveau courtyards and shopping. Note: -Cleaning at the end of the visit is included in the price -Optional cleaning during a visit is charged at 12 euros per hour -NO children - only because this is a one- bedroom apartment |