Huttenpalast

Berlin is full of surprises, and what’s hidden in an old vacuum cleaner factory in a northern Neukölln is one of the most unexpected. The Hüttenpalast (literally, Cabin Palace) is a 150 square metre hall that was once the factory floor. Since summer 2011 it’s been home to three vintage caravans and three little cabins, each sleeping two people. Set out like a mini indoor campsite, there are separate male and female shower rooms and a tree in the middle. Each morning guests emerge from their boltholes to discover the tree has borne fruit – well, little bags containing croissants. There’s fresh coffee on hand and the streetfront café does an à la carte menu for those with particularly grumbling stomachs. Each caravan is different – Kleine Schwester (Little Sister) is decked out with white wood panelling and matching linen; the Herzensbrecher (Heartbreaker) has a domed metal ceiling; the Schwalbennest (Swallow’s nest) is big enough to squeeze in a table. The huts, each unique in design and decoration, are perhaps slightly better for anyone prone to claustrophobia but they also have regular rooms available in various sizes. Free WiFi.