July 10, 2007

Europe | Germany | Berlin

Past-Life Obsession

By Tiffany Hawk

Berlin turns up the communist kitsch.

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While post-communist Moscow is flashing its new money, Berlin is celebrating its penurious past. For visitors that means a chance to play cost-conscious comrade. At the recently opened Ostel — a concrete-block turned Ostalgic hotel — guests can book a bunk in the six-bed pioneer camp for only $12 per night or take a four-room, pre-fab apartment with full-kitchen for $48 per person. The “luxe” option, though, is a Stasi Suite decked out in former GDR officials’ furniture for $51. While décor and purchasable souvenirs are authentic relics, the mattresses, linens and plumbing are — thank heavens — up-to-date. Oh, and the on-site breakfast does not require a bread line. Guests hoping to extend their time in communism kitsch can tour Berlin in the hotel’s Trabant car, attempt a GDR pub crawl, or visit the GDR Museum and Stasi Museum for an in-depth look at life behind the Iron Curtain. If your visit with big brother leaves you craving something more decadent, go back to wild, pre-war Weimar times with Cabaret the musical — returning to Berlin in October.