Vacation Rentals by Owner

Miniloft--Spacious, cozy, with great location.

Guest: Nancy A. (Singapore)
Date of Stay: 12/28/11 Review Submitted: 01/11/12

We spent a week over New Year's in a Miniloft apartment and were delighted by our stay. The apartment was spacious and thoughtfully fitted out with everything we needed - including pots and pans, an iron, dishes, organic shampoo and dish soap. The design was gorgeous, minimalist, and so tasteful. We loved the concrete heated floors - despite the minimalist design and large windows, the apartment was truly cozy. The location was also great, in the center of town and very close to a subway stop, as well as within walking distance of many of our sightseeing goals and museums. Probably the best thing though was the guidebook the owners (who are also the building's architects!) wrote themselves, with insider tips and tons of information about the neighborhood and Berlin. We tried four of their restaurant recommendations and they were all spot on. You have your own key and don't have to pass reception so you feel quite independent, but there was always someone in the office during the day ready to help and answer our (many!) questions. They were extremely friendly and welcoming. The only thing to note is that it is a true loft, just one large room, so keep in mind that privacy would be limited if you are a larger group. I imagine a family with children would find it comfortable. Highly recommended!

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A work of art

Guest: Janice T.
Date of Stay: 10/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/13/12

I spent 3 nights at the Miniloft in October. I absolutely loved my stay. Everything one could possibly need was there. I especially enjoyed the space itself. When I was in the room I felt comfortable and safe, and I looked forward to returning at the end of the day. The bed was as comfortable as they come The Miniloft is very private and calm, and yet it s in a great location, close to everything, and within walking distance to many attractions. The free wifi was a gift. The guidebook was especially well written and fun. I used this to plan my days, and it has one of the best maps I found in Berlin. The Miniloft is an attraction in itself. I have never before stayed in a place quite so thoughtfully conceived, and when I return to Berlin, this will be my first choice.

Owner response:Thank you Jan! It was a pleasure having you here.

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Warm and wonderful

Guest: Wiebke
Date of Stay: 04/28/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

(We liked) everything! Wonderful apartment, great architecture, functional interior, fantastic location, warm and welcoming atmosphere, nice people, great service - in fact, all I was always looking for when traveling!

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Great Little Studio

Guest: Mr. Anonymous (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/26/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

My wife and I, who are 69, recently stayed in a "compact" apartment for a week. We have only good things to report: The space, though modest, is intelligently used, and the large vertical windows, with drapes of alternating colours, make the atmosphere seem at once open, airy, and big. Normally, my wife's first instincts on being installed in a space is to start moving furniture around; here, alas, she had nothing to do. In terms of utensils, appliances, and the like, there was everything we needed, except a regular oven for cooking - but perhaps this is entailed in the notion of a kitchen"ette." Moreover, the things provided were of a very high quality - heavy pots, big wine glasses in the kitchenette; plush towels, good bedding, interesting shampoo, etc. elsewhere. So the feel of the place is of unadorned, even austere, space, made warm through the accoutrements of living. The building itself is a joy to return to, and the location, though central, unusually quiet. Most important is the intelligent helpfulness of management and staff. One of the things we like to do on holiday is buy ingredients we cannot get at home, and then cook. For this we could have used a bigger fry pan, and when we asked whether one was available from a different apartment, within half an hour somebody went and purchased one for us. As well, there is a wonderful guidebook to the neighbourhood, and to Berlin at large - maps, for instance, with concentric circles of 5, 10, 15... minute walks, showing where to take a coffee, where to buy groceries, where to eat, to get money, etc. Indeed, having a week to fill between commitments in England and France, and wanting to visit a city new to us, we chose Berlin partly on the strength of the guidebook, as it always takes a while to get one's bearing in a strange city, and for a short stay this is a shame. Knowing the city a bit as we now do, would we choose to stay at Miniloft again? Yes, absolutely.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

At home

Guest: Claudia, Petro and Giuliano from Milano
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

We liked to feel at home. We liked the style, the silence, the essentials. We liked to be central and remote at the same time.

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Cool design

Guest: Juliane from Sao Paolo
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

A lot of space and light - cool design - friendly yet unobtrusive service - independence - good cost/benefit ratio - free wi-fi - easy to book - photos on the site corresponds well to the real apartments.

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Lots of daylight

Guest: Olew and Ellen from Oslo
Date of Stay: 04/21/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

We liked the high ceilings, large space and lots of daylight. Also the situation in the city - walking distance from "everywhere."

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Eco-friendly

Guest: Bob and Joan from Edinburgh
Date of Stay: 04/05/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

We loved the great space, tastefully furnished and well equipped and in such a central location. We also really appreciated the eco-friendly materials used.

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Loved staying here!

Guest: Bob and Jean
Date of Stay: 03/18/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

Loved the location, able to walk or train everywhere. It was comfortable, efficient, nice bathroom, loved having a kitchenette after being in hotel rooms for a couple of weeks. Really appreciated the washing machine and hair dryer. Best internet service we've had in our three weeks in Germany! Thanks for all the great info about Berlin, for the advice, recommendations, and making sure our train passes were on the table! We had a great week in Berlin and loved staying at the Miniloft!

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Thoughtful yet simple

Guest: Philippa
Date of Stay: 03/11/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

They are amazing, very thoughtful yet simple. So much nicer than a hotel. I shall definitely recommend you to my friends.

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Beautifully designed - inside and out

Guest: Neil
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

Beautifully designed - inside and out. Warm and comfortable. Great location. The Miniloft guide is a fantastic touch. The price is right.

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Your home in Berlin

Guest: Gabriel from Brazil
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 03/03/11

It's a real living experience in Berlin! The Minilofts are the kind of place that you want to spread the word to your friends, but at the same time to keep it a secret so you will always find "your" home in Berlin.

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Space, privacy and convenience

Guest: Anna
Date of Stay: 02/02/11 Review Submitted: 03/03/11

(We liked) the space, privacy, convenience, ability to eat what, when where we like, in or out. Your booklet of advice is comprehensive and useful. Cosy for winter and lots of windows to be opened for summer. Fab internet access.

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Great lofts, great location Berlin

Guest: Nancy A. (Singapore)
Date of Stay: 12/09/10 Review Submitted: 12/15/10

I've stayed at Minilofts a couple of times and love it there. The building is so fine to return to, shiny slender curves welcome me home. Nice kitchenette and sitting areas, nice view through big windows that let in lots of light, cozy warm floors. It's close to museums, shopping, excellent restaurants (and a fresh french fries stand), U-bahn and trolleys. The rooms are clean, staff helpful (Eleanor is a gem!). They have a really helpful written guide for walks in the area, as well as how to get around and find the basics (post office, atm...) My little home in Berlin.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Winter wonderland

Guest: Ellie (Phildelphia, PA)
Date of Stay: 12/03/10 Review Submitted: 12/22/10

We stayed at Minilofts for a pre-Christmas holiday and couldn't have been happier. After trekking through snowy Berlin and visiting Christmas markets, it was such a pleasure to come back to our own home away from home. The 'Extroverted' apartment was one large room with high ceilings (that's the definition of a loft I guess!), but nicely divided, with a sleeping area, kitchen/dining area, and living area with great couches and a big TV with English channels and a DVD player. We had everything we needed, and especially liked the huge windows and heated floor. It's a very stylish place, the raw concrete walls and floor are so modern and beautiful. It's in a great location, walking distance to many sights, including Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, and the Berlin Wall memorial. The neighborhood restaurants are excellent (we especially liked La Bonne Franquette and Weinbar Rutz). The owners have written a wonderful guide to the neighborhood and Berlin, including restaurant recommendations and guided walks such as an architecture walk and an art walk. Highly recommended, we'll be back in the summer!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Feel at home

Guest: Ian and Leanne
Date of Stay: 12/01/10 Review Submitted: 03/03/11

From a traveler's perspective the apartment is extraordinarily well conceived. A stay here takes you away from the boring grind of the corporate hotel. The space is wonderful and generous, and you feel 'at home' and self-sufficient.

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Berlin miniloft

Guest: felix (NJ)
Date of Stay: 08/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/14/10

Minimalist is what you get...basic and adequate. No frills or extras. Ok, but maybe not a value for the price. Wouldn't rent this type of property again. It was represented accurately and was clean. Location was good and the booklet they provided was an excellent reference.

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Feel at home

Guest: Fiona from Melbourne
Date of Stay: 01/10/10 Review Submitted: 03/03/11

many thanks to Britta and Matthew for dreaming up this unique accommodation your wonderful iconic building. The beautiful design - compact, but spacious, light and airy, well-equipped but uncluttered - made it a relaxing base in which we immediately felt at home. Eleanor and Alexis were so relaxed and helpful.

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