In Berlin, stand-alone hotel room comes with local guided experiences

Plus One Berlin offers visitors to the city not just a studio apartment for nightly rent in Berlin's Kreuzkölln neighborhood, but also the opportunity to connect with a participating local resident for advice and personalized experiences.

Back in 2009 we featured Pixelhotel’s stand-alone rooms scattered across the city of Linz, and recently we came across something similar in Berlin, but with an interesting twist. Plus One Berlin offers visitors to the city not just a studio apartment for nightly rent in Berlin’s Kreuzkölln neighborhood, but also the opportunity to connect with a participating local resident for advice and personalized experiences. Launched just last month, Plus One Berlin’s Kreuzkölln space was designed by two Berlin-based architects using a combination of new and salvaged materials, and is located in close proximity to “friendly cafes, small hidden bars and popular restaurants”, in the company’s own words. Featuring a kitchenette, balcony and multifunctional living space, the apartment can sleep one to three people at a time. Even more interesting than the specifics of Plus One’s accommodations, however, is the fact that guests get access to the company’s stable of 28 local residents, chosen for their knowledge and passion for the city. When making their reservation, guests are given a login so they can browse the locals on staff. Once they pick one, they can indicate when they’d like to meet up with that person for an experience such as dinner at a local hangout, for example, and for how long. Plus One’s nightly rate of EUR 120 includes both accommodation and one experience with a chosen local for every two- to three-night stay. Tourism is not just about accommodations, after all, but about experiences and getting a taste of local flavor; who better to provide that than hotels, in partnership with local guides? Hospitality entrepreneurs around the globe: one for inspiration!