The Hotel Shipotel Berlin is not a building but two boats moored on the River Spree, the Shipotel Eastern and the Shipotel Western, with cabins instead of rooms. It is about a 5-minute walk from the East Side Gallery. It suits you if you fancy sleeping on the water and will mostly get around east Berlin.
Location and getting around
According to the property, the boats are moored between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, a few metres from the remains of the Wall that form the East Side Gallery. Berlin Ostbahnhof is about a 15-minute walk. Alexanderplatz is roughly 3 km away and Museum Island about 3.5 km, so for the historic centre public transport or a taxi is best.
To compare other areas, see the full list of hotels and places to stay in Berlin.
Rooms and facilities
The two boats are not the same. On the Shipotel Eastern, cabins have a private bathroom and the deck overlooks the Oberbaum Bridge. On the Shipotel Western, cabins share a bathroom and there is a rooftop terrace with city views.
There is a bar, Wi-Fi and 24-hour reception. Breakfast is continental. The boat’s bar, the Floating Lounge, is used on deck in summer and by a fireplace in winter, and the boats have central heating. According to the property, it hosts comedy nights in English on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Who it suits
- Guests who want a different night, in a cabin on the river.
- Concertgoers heading to the Uber Arena, which according to the property is about four minutes on foot.
- Visitors interested in the history of the Wall who want the East Side Gallery next door.
- Anyone who does not mind a shared bathroom in return for staying on the Western.
Good to know
Before booking, check which boat your cabin is on: the shared bathroom is on the Western. Check-in is from 15:00 to 00:00, but you must tell them your arrival time beforehand. Check-out is by 11:00 at the latest.