I loved staying here! The high-ceiling, wood-floor apartment, which seems to have been recently renovated—or simply *very* well taken care of—is tastefully decorated, well-furnished and generously equipped, including the kitchen. It was meticulously clean. Light sleepers will appreciate the fact that the apartment is on a quiet street and the bedroom windows are equipped with roll-down shutters if you wish to block outside light. The wi-fi was flawless.
Gerhard was the perfect host and made me feel very welcome. He met me at the apartment and walked me through the basics of the place and the area. His thoughtfulness for his guests shows in things like plush towels and *two* coffeemakers (a mocha pot and French press). It shows in things like the booklet of information he’s put together for guests, with useful information on the apartment, cafés and restaurants in the neighborhoods, and the location of markets and food stores (there are two conveniently near the apartment, one of which is organic). It showed, too, in the messages he texted now and then to check if I needed anything or to share a tip on a neighborhood event (like to remind me of the not-to-be-missed Saturday open-market on Winterfeldtplatz).
I was happy with the location, which has a nice neighborhood feel and is well-served by bus and the S-Bahn, and—runners and swimmers take note—close to the sprawling, recently created (and award-winning) Gleisdreieck Park and a 10-minute walk to an indoor public pool.
A note for summer travelers—the apartment is a haven in the summer heat. I arrived in Berlin on a 35° August afternoon, but inside the apartment it was refreshingly cool.
I'll stay here again next time I'm in Berlin.