Insiders & Icons
Stay at the home of Berlin's stories
There’s no such thing as a typical Berliner, and no single Berlin experience. At Hotel Berlin Berlin, we celebrate the city’s many faces and personalities with a powerful storytelling project. Ready to uncover the city’s best-kept secrets? Let’s start your Berlin story.
Meet the neighbors
Our passion for sharing Berlin’s stories brings you closer than any travel guide and our lineup of activities and events makes it easy to enjoy the best of Berlin right here. Mingle with Berliners, make friends, and be inspired!
"I wasn’t born or raised in Berlin, but my heart has definitely found a home here."
Christian Rothenhagen
It all started as far back as Christian can remember. "There was never a time I didn’t draw.," the artist recalls.
Sophia Melone
Melons, melons, melons! The artist Sophia Melone is not only a Specialist on the Field of this fruity Beauty, but also the Chaplin Bawler („Melone“ in German) is a steady companion. Even though the love for the tasty melons went so far that she even grew her own Watermelons in Berlin, Sophia Melone is not only crazy about the delicious fruit, but has a variety of interests and talents. Her career as a Berlin artist started with the studies of textile- and surfacedesign in Weissensee, which brought her screenprinting and dyeing skills as well as design programming and sewing/fabrication. Now, mainly working as a painter, personal assistant and barkeeper, Melone uses her free time in the German capital to create colourful universes from faces, creatures, animals and, of course, melons! But why Melone? The artist's second name is actually Sophia Marlene, but this became a tongue twister for little Sophia, so she simply introduced herself as Sophia Melone. And so her artist name was born.
- All
- Host Story
Christian Rothenhagen
I am an artist, with a concept
It all started as far back as Christian can remember. "There was never a time I didn’t draw.," the artist recalls.
Sophia Melone
Berliners are dreamers
Melons, melons, melons! The artist Sophia Melone is not only a Specialist on the Field of this fruity Beauty, but also the Chaplin Bawler („Melone“ in German) is a steady companion. Even though the love for the tasty melons went so far that she even grew her own Watermelons in Berlin, Sophia Melone is not only crazy about the delicious fruit, but has a variety of interests and talents. Her career as a Berlin artist started with the studies of textile- and surfacedesign in Weissensee, which brought her screenprinting and dyeing skills as well as design programming and sewing/fabrication. Now, mainly working as a painter, personal assistant and barkeeper, Melone uses her free time in the German capital to create colourful universes from faces, creatures, animals and, of course, melons! But why Melone? The artist's second name is actually Sophia Marlene, but this became a tongue twister for little Sophia, so she simply introduced herself as Sophia Melone. And so her artist name was born.
Jeroen Nergiz-de Boer
You might think I have 3 alter egos
TheOlifants, Dr.Ank, Poppin‘ Puffins. Three names, three different art styles, one person: Jeroen Nergiz-de Boer. The Dutchman has been a Berlin resident by choice for 10 years and is an artist through and through. Whether graffiti, graphic design, drawing or NFTs - Jeroen is completely absorbed in many art styles and can be enthusiastic about many things.
Laure-Anne Poutot
Berlin means diversity
If someone knows everything about dancing, it's Laure-Anne, 29, French and professional dancer. She has been a Berliner by choice for 5 years now and this winter she is also part of the Traumtheater Salome, which we have the pleasure to host at Hotel Berlin, Berlin.
Max Voronin
I always make sure my work has meaning behind it
Maxim Voronin, or short Max, is an American magician, circus artist and director. Even though born in San Francisco, he was basically raised all over the world. His parents are also performers and at a very young age Max would join his parents on tour throughout America, Europe, and other parts of the world. „This was kind of my childhood as a child from the circus.“, he laughs.
YAT
Be transported into a world of dimension and color
YAT, is a Berlin-based Franco-Austrian calligraphy and graffiti artist and member of our art club, the Freiluft Kunst Klub Berlin. YAT created an amazing art mural for us at Hotel Berlin, Berlin, using his unique typographic style and innovative 3D technique. Put on a pair of 3D glasses and be transported into a world of dimension and color.
Ivan Luzan
It's the emotional connection that counts
Ivan is not only a Ukrainian director, composer and dance acrobat, but also a Berliner by choice for 13 years. It all started when he was still a child, because at the young age of 4 he was already fascinated by dance acrobatics! After traveling and performing until he was 16, he attended the academy in Kiev, where he was able to refine his dance style. His constant companion: a large fan with which he performs.
Somari
The scene just wowed me!
Somari is a Ukrainian graffiti artist who moved to Berlin a half a year ago, escaping the war and finding shelter in the capital of Germany. But Berlin was not her first migration: the artist has a history of traveling and has lived in plenty of other countries: Georgia, Montenegro, and now Germany just to name a few.
Marga van den Meydenberg
Creative portraits, sometimes life changing
It's the people, in their angularity, delicacy and bizarreness who are the focus of Marga van den Meydenberg's photography. Usually she frames her photo subjects in the center of the pictures, rarely to the right or left. They are often accompanied by curious or unusual objects: A woman is lying in a bathtub full of books, a man has a plunger tied to his face like an oversized nose, another's bald head is covered in pink icing and garnished with currants
The Darvish
Become who you are
The Darvish is probably the only queer Syrian belly dancer in Berlin - find out more about him and his extraordinary story.
Tom Inden-Lohmar
I love the Bergmannkiez
I’m Tom, and I’ll be your host at Hotel Berlin, Berlin. I am a distiller by profession and owner of Mampe, Berlin’s oldest spirits brand.
Kristina Kraft
Welcome to Berlin! Everywhere you look – up and down, in every corner, in front of your nose and especially behind you in all the courtyards – there is so much to discover in Berlin. Let yourself be swept up by the city’s sense of freedom.
Dr. Motte
Get rid of your tourist guide!
My name is Dr. Motte, I’m a DJ, producer, and remixer from the original vanguard of techno’s few pioneering souls. I initiated and successfully staged what became the biggest cultural celebration of music, tolerance, love, and indeed life itself that the world has ever seen…
Viola Molzen
Hello stranger
I wasn’t born or raised in Berlin, but my heart has definitely found a home here. I’ve lived in different parts of the city, but I’ve never felt as happy as I do in Charlottenburg.
DeerBLN
Welcome to my city
I am DeerBLN. I am an artist and in my art I deal with, first and foremost changes to the architectural landscape of Mitte. Mitte used to be in East Berlin, and I went to school at places that now host posh restaurants and artist studios.
Catrin Soldo
Welcome to Berlin!
I’m Catrin, Berliner by choice! I came to the city because of its amazing creative opportunities, diversity, and openness, all of which make this city a very special place.
Kimo Von Rekowski
Between subculture and commerce: Kimo von Rekowski turns advertising in a graffiti format into something real
If you take a short walk through the streets of Neukölln, Kreuzberg or Mitte, there's something you're sure to quickly come across: the so-called firewalls, meaning the flat
Ann Kathrin
Turkish couture: fashion designer Ann-Kathrin Carstensen combines Turkish crochet culture with high fashion
It appears, at first glance, that social work and haute couture couldn't be more distant from each other. But Ann-Kathrin Carstensen is striving to bridge the gap between these two worlds. Since 2011 the designer has worked in a studio in Berlin-Neukölln where she designs and produces high-end fashion while also serving the needs of a societal sector struggling to find a way out of unemployment.
Andrea Toenges
Andrea & 160 years of tradition among the riverside high-rises: Meet the woman running the oldest bakery in Berlin
In the west of Berlin there's a quarter that receives very little attention. Bordered by the Spree River to the north and Tiergarten to the south, the Hansaviertel was a highly innovative residential development built in the 1960s by renowned architects including Alvar Aalto
Marcos Lopez
Welcome to Berlin!
Hello, I’m Marcos, and I’ll be your host during your stay at Hotel Berlin, Berlin! I arrived in the city in 1986, when I was just twenty. It was only three years later that everything changed, but even now, the west and the east have totally different vibes. It’s one of the things I love about Berlin.
Denise van Deesen
Welcome to Berlin!
Hi, I’m Denise, a born and bred Berliner, and I’ll be your host during your stay at the Hotel Berlin, Berlin! You’ve certainly picked the right destination, as Berlin has something for everyone, no matter what your age or lifestyle.
Layla De Mue
Welcome to Berlin!
I’m Layla, and I’ll be your host during your stay at Hotel Berlin, Berlin. I moved to Berlin in 2011. But Berlin has been my second home town since my mom moved here in 1999 when she got the main role in the Musical Chicago at the Theater des Westens.
Crsto Kreuzberg
Welcome to Berlin!
My name is Crsto, and I’m pleased to be your host during your stay at Hotel Berlin, Berlin! I’m a singer, performer and passionate part-time photographer working on various audiovisual projects.
Jim Avignon
Welcome to Berlin!
I’m Jim, and I’ll be your host during your stay at Hotel Berlin, Berlin. I’ve lived here since 1988, with the exception of a spell in New York. I’m a painter, illustrator, concept artist and occasionally a musician under the pseudonym Neoangin.
Tim Labenda
Welcome to Berlin!
I’m Tim, and I’ll be your host during your stay at Hotel Berlin, Berlin. I live in Kreuzberg, which is also where my studio is located. I’m a fashion designer but love keeping up with the latest trends in interior design as well.
