A decade after this aparthotel opened, it's still one of the city's most stylish places to stay. The two adjoining buildings - one historic, the other a futuristic new-build clad in stainless steel - were designed and renovated by Britta Jürgens and Matthew Griffin, forward-thinking architects who specialise in green buildings. The minimalist apartments - it's worth paying for the extra space of an Introverted or Extroverted loft - have exposed concrete floors and walls, under-floor heating and floor-to-ceiling windows. Furniture is a well-edited mix of contemporary Danish items and simple, sturdy Ikea pieces; the small but efficient kitchens are stocked with basics (coffee, olive oil, organic cleaning supplies). There's a hidden roof terrace, open to all, with impressive views of the Berlin skyline. Although officially in Mitte, the lofts are a bit off the beaten track, near Nordbahnhof station, which is currently the site of a lot of construction work; however, the aparthotel's guides are happy to point guests in the direction of nearby highlights and hotspots. Jürgens and Griffin are now designing a second outpost in Kreuzberg, near Checkpoint Charlie, which will incorporate art studios and work spaces.
Loft spots in Berlin, Gisela Williams, published in Condé Nast Traveller (UK), January 5, 2015
