The Big Six: Chic Berlin apartments

Fancy staying at a 19th-century residential building that was once inhabited by the KGB?

Lux 11, Mitte

Lux 11 is a collection of design-focused apartments and penthouses in a 19th-century residential building that was once inhabited by the KGB. There are "value" rooms – more like hotel rooms with kitchenettes – right up to suites, with separate sitting rooms and balconies. The clean white-lined interior design is bolstered by extras, from free toiletries to daily cleaning and broadband connection. There's an Aveda spa, restaurant and designer boutique on site, too.

Lux 11, Rosa Luxemburg Strasse 9-13, Mitte (00 49 30 93 62 800; lux-eleven.com ). Rental starts at €135 per night for two.

Artrium Apartments Friedrichshain

This collection of apartments aims to offer a home-from-home, which rather depends on whether your own residence is decked out with Mies van der Rohe and Panton chairs, Warhol originals and flat-screen TVs. However, the rooms are spacious, light-filled and comfortable, with generous kitchens, Playstation 2s, free Wi-Fi and bicycles for hire too.

Artrium Apartment, Dolziger Strasse 2, Friedrichshain (00 49 151 15 67 75 58; artrium-apartments.com ). Rental starts at €79 per night for one, or €123 for four.

Miniloft, Mitte

The Minilofts are in an architect-designed building that was nominated for the 2004 Mies van der Rohe Award for its eye-catching curvilinear steel and concrete exterior. Some are classically designed suites in the older part of the building, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a homely feel; others feature more pared-back, minimalist design. No less impressive is the price, which also includes free internet, underfloor heating and a personal guide to the best that this part of Mitte has to offer.

Miniloft, Hessische Strasse 5, Mitte (00 49 30 84 71 090; miniloft.com ). Rental starts at €130 per night for two.

Blue Home, Prenzlauer Berg

Situated in arty Prenzlauer Berg, Blue Home and the neighbouring Ackselhaus house a collection of elegant suites and apartments. Rooms at Blue Home feature high ceilings, balconies and unique furnishings, such as a carved Balinese four-poster bed.

Blue Home, Belforter Strasse 21, Prenzlauer Berg (00 49 30 44 33 76 33; ackselhaus.de ). Rental starts at €150 per night for two.

Industrial Loft, Kreuzberg

With high ceilings, open-plan design and plenty of natural light, this converted loft sleeps eight. The utilitarian design features stripped wooden floors, exposed wooden beams and steel columns.

Industrial Loft, near Oranienplatz, Kreuzberg (00 49 30 40 04 18 30; urban-apartments.com ). Weekly rental starts at €880 for two, or €1,760 for eight.

GDR Apartment, Friedrichshain

For a taste of communist East Germany, look no further than this meticulously remodelled apartment based on a typical GDR plattenbau (prefab concrete housing block). Expect retro wallpaper and period furniture, with GDR bicycles for hire too.

GDR Apartment, Friedrichshain (00 49 30 25 76 86 60; ostel.eu ). Rental starts at €120 per night for two, or €180 for six.