Spend the Night in the GDR
GDR Souvenirs
Products sold in East Germany -- some of them imported from the Soviet Union -- are on display in Ostel's lobby. Some of them are available for purchase in the hotel's store.
Communist Bloc
Even the outside of the building is reminiscent of the communist era.
Time Travel
One glance at the wallpaper in Ostel will take visitors back in time.
Make Yourself at Home
Some things are already coming back in style again.
Ostel in Berlin
At the Ostel guesthouse in central Berlin, visitors can step back in time and experience the charming and interesting aspects of former East Germany. Not only is the hotel completely decorated in styles from the GDR, they also offer city tours in a Trabant car, the most common GDR-made car. A night in the "Stasi-suite" -- complete with bugging devices reminiscent of those used by the secret police -- is available for 59 euros ($78). Two-person "prefab" apartments go for 38 euros a night and an economy bed in a six-person "pioneer camp" room only costs nine euros. Ostel's Web site promises that, while the deco may be less-than-modern, the mattresses and plumbing are completely up-to-date.
Friendly Faces
Former East German communist party politician Horst Sindermann welcomes new guests to Ostel.
Sandman
Sandmännchen, shown here to the left among other GDR products, was a character on a popular children's television program. After reunification, he was adopted in western Germany as well.
Sweet Dreams
At Ostel, guests can doze under a picture of former East German Prime Minister Willy Stoph.