If the brick and concrete walls at Soho House Berlin could talk, they would tell you tales about the fashion-savvy shoppers who visited when it was a seven-story department store in the 1920s, or stories about the Second World War, when the building served as the headquarters for the Reich Youth Leadership organization during the 1930s. They may also share the overheard conversations of the many celebrities, editors, and other creative industry insiders from 2010, when Soho House officially opened in the Mitte district of Berlin.
Seven years after its opening, Soho House Berlin remains just as relevant today, standing as a cultural hub for young and old talent in Berlin – and beyond. Here, Savoir Flair investigates what makes Soho House the ultimate place to see and be seen at for everyone from celebrities to editors and filmmakers in Berlin.
All That (And More)
When Savoir Flair visited the Capital of Cool for three days, it was close to impossible to leave Soho House Berlin as everything that was on our agenda – art to explore, stores to check out, and eateries to try – could be crossed off at the hotel. The space is so much more than just a hotel. It also houses a store, a restaurant, bars, a cinema house, a gym, and a spa.
On the ground floor, where you will find artworks by Damien Hirst, a communal wood and brass table is placed directly in front of the spiral staircase, which serves as a workspace for digital nomads. The Store is an open-space retail heaven that stocks a well-curated selection of clothing, accessories, and lifestyle goods from the most coveted designer brands of the moment.
If shopping isn’t your cup of tea, there is a small coffee shop within The Store as well as a record shop, where you could easily spend a few hours listening to music. If you’d rather indulge in an all-organic RnR facial or hammam treatment, make your way down the spiral staircase and you’ll be led to the Cowshed Spa.
When hunger strikes, you are only a few steps away from delicious, freshly made pasta and pizza, courtesy of a London classic: Cecconi’s. If dining al fresco to take in views of Berlin’s skyline is on your bucket list, head to Mandolin, located on the famous rooftop terrace, to feast on Greek and Turkish cuisine.
Home Away from Home
Public areas in Soho House exude extreme urbanity, but wait until you check in to your room. Rooms, apartments, and lofts all echo a luxe grandma-chic sensibility thanks to plush floral-print sofas, retro Marshall speakers, mid-century cabinets and chandeliers, and a jewel-toned color palette. The bathrooms, meanwhile, are peppered with a generous display of heavenly smelling Cowshed products – it’s (really) easy to feel at home in such surroundings.
Culture Club
Part of the Soho House culture is socializing, so prepare to do so with its monthly line-up of music and programs that attracts like-minded audiences. Events can range from sessions of live music to industry talks and workshops.
What Happens at Soho House Berlin...
While other branches operate on a members-only policy, Soho House Berlin is open to all. While the hotel can come across as intimidating due to its reputation and exclusivity – the membership alone speaks volumes – Soho House Berlin is as relaxed and laid-back as the city itself. This is, after all, where members come home to de-stress and unwind.
Like all the other “houses” located around the world, there are rules to follow, and discretion is everything – in fact, phone calls and photography are kept to a minimum or not allowed in certain areas. So bear in mind that there are rules to abide by, regardless of how Instagrammable virtually every nook and cranny of this Bauhaus-styled hotel may seem.