Paolo did everything to make our stay in his apartment as comfortable as you could ask for. We really felt at home in his flat - so much so that I'll be contacting him next time I'm in Berlin.

Paolo left us with access to his record player, games consoles (though we didn't have the time to use them), and, very considerately, even left out a selection of books he thought we might be interested in. We were able to make coffee, and could have cooked more in the flat had we wanted to - all of the facilities were there. The stay was very personal - from the initial meeting with Paolo himself, to the notes and books he left out and even down to the flowers on the dining table.

This apartment is a haven; overlooking a tree lined square, in a much sought after Altbau apartment filled with paintings. Just around the corner, on the busy and bustling Oranienstraße, you'll find bars, cafes, restaurants and second hand book and record shops. There's also a large Turkish community in the area that contributes to the vast array of food on offer moments from the doorstep. Exploring more of Kreuzberg could keep you constantly discovering new places to eat and drink. Also not far are vibrant areas like Neukölln and Friedrichshain that have a lot going on. You're also really not far from the museums and tourist attractions in Mitte; it's walkable but taking the U-Bahn is really easy, as Paolo's place is two minutes walk from a station on two of the most useful lines.

Do stay with Paolo if you're looking for a unique experience while you're in Berlin; it's perfect if you love art, architecture, music and culture.