Freiraum Wohnagentur & GastehausEditor's Pick

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Ever envied the life of a Berlin student? Book a room (or apartment) at Kreuzberg’s no-frills Freiraum Gästehaus and find out for yourself what it’s like to live without a care in the world—and without a modicum of luxury. Housed in a small, brick, turn-of-the-century building off pub-lined Wienerstrasse, the spartan guesthouse is a great place to crash if you’re short on funds. Fiercely independent travelers will love the fact that they can come and go as they please without passing through a watchful lobby.

Dim rooms and apartments bear the stamp of DIY decorating. Memories of those dreaded furniture assembly sessions flooded back to us when we caught sight of the make-it-yourself wood and cardboard bunks and closets in the rooms. Bold bedspreads, blue carpeting, and a set of table and chairs better suited for an office add to the mix-and-match look. As expected, shared bathrooms and kitchens (in the apartments) are just about as basic as they come.

At the Freiraum, you get what you pay for. Rates, which include linens and towels, are so low that the ho-hum interiors and decor are easy to swallow. If you plan on staying in Berlin longer, ask Freiraum, which doubles as a booking service, to set you up with a more substantial furnished apartment (in Kreuzberg or beyond).

» Susan Buzzelli

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.