Brimming with books, artsy trinkets and Rothko-esque paintings, this Mitte flat is the kind of home that starts conversations. Once owned by an artist, there's a unique layout and a creative flair here that we loved when we visited. It's a blend of different styles, yet it works – vintage antiques mix with minimalist furniture, wooden countertops sit on stainless steel cabinets and, in the heart of it all, are the huge windows showing off the mammoth trees of Arkonaplatz Square across the street. On sunny days, enjoy your morning cup of coffee and breakfast roll on the balcony, watching as Berlin comes to life. Location-wise, you won't have to travel far to experience the authentic flea markets, buzzing restaurant scene and trendy galleries in this lively part of Mitte. Instead of walking to the main attractions, make like the locals and rent a bike from the cycle hire stations in the Kulturbrauerei or hop on the tram and be in the city centre in no time.

Home truths:
*There's a lift in the building, but you'll have to climb nine steps to reach the door to this flat
*The kitchen is on the smaller side – the fridge is about ten steps from the kitchen and there's no dining table – but with so many excellent restaurants nearby, we didn't mind not cooking
*There's no in-person check-in – you'll receive information on how to pick up your keys from the host
*This is a lived-in home, so expect to share the space with some of the host's belongings
*There's free on-street parking outside the building, but we suggest leaving the car behind and taking advantage of Berlin's excellent public transit system
*As of October 2021, there's ongoing construction happening next door that starts early in the morning