the location
Let’s start with a bit of geography, as Kyritz is charming but not on everyone’s radar. If you’re traveling from Berlin, you take the highway towards Hamburg and, after about an hour, turn off to reach Bantikower Lake. This lake is a popular spot, home to “the Insl,” a destination loved by everyone from the Prenzlauer Berg Berlin crowd. The great thing is that it’s a fantastic spot for summer holidays. An idyll straight out of the 1980s, when it was part of the Eastern German government.
The Apartment
To find the apartment, head to the center of Kyritz and look for the largest property around. This is the former headquarters of the Trade and Agriculture Bank. A building that truly makes a statement, built in 1910 and now brought back to life by two very charming and creative women who commute between Berlin and Kyritz and who captivate over a million followers on Instagram with their design and food content (@_foodstories_).
To get straight to the point: the apartment is absolutely stunning. Laura and Nora have done an incredible job renovating the first floor of this historic building, turning it into a true showcase loft. Thanks to their connections with brands that produce beautiful kitchens, chairs, beds, and home accessories, the space is filled with high-quality, stylish pieces. It’s a room that any hotelier with plans to open a property should take note of.
What we loved most? The space, including the first of the two bedrooms, has been kept as a single, spacious 100-square-meter room. You essentially sleep right in the living and dining area, complete with a charming kitchen.
Another lovely feature: the view of the apartment’s namesake, the 200-year-old Oak that stands proudly in front of the building. In the evening, we sat outside on the small balcony, enjoying the view of the oak tree and the pedestrian zone below, which becomes quite lively in the morning.
A quick side note: that morning, we ran into the well-known publisher Angelika Taschen at the café downstairs, just as she was setting off on a pilgrimage. Just the kind of encounter you have in Kyritz!
the patio
Since Laura’s father owns the building, a second apartment on the second floor will soon be ready. This space is being designed with a special focus on cooking-themed photo productions (though it’s not limited to that). To make the experience even better for future guests, the courtyard has also been completely redesigned. It’s a beautiful area, lined with climbing vines on the house walls, featuring lounge furniture, a dining table, and an outdoor kitchen by Atoll Berlin—perfect for a small grill party.
key features
The apartment is perfect for four guests. The main living area includes one bedroom, and there’s a second, separate bedroom next door. Both bedrooms have private bathrooms, so it’s easy to stay comfortably, even if you’re not all that familiar with each other. The bathrooms are beautifully outfitted with towels, soap, shampoo, and shower gel from the Copenhagen brand Frama.
The kitchen really is the heart of this apartment. Designed by the English brand deVol Kitchens, it features a Smeg fridge, induction cooktop, and oven. Plus, it’s stocked with everything you could possibly need: a dishwasher, espresso machine, high-quality pots and pans, coffee maker, Vitamix blender, hand mixer, immersion blender, waffle iron—even a kitchen scale for those precise measurements when you’re following a recipe.
the region
Kyritz is just a 7-minute drive from Bantikower Lake. Laura and Nora took us to a completely secluded forest area where we could stroll along a path leading to the lake. It’s a great spot for setting up a tent during the day. In the middle of the area, you’ll find a popular local eatery called “die Insl.” If you prefer, there’s also an ice cream café and a small organic grocery store right in the pedestrian zone below. During our visit, there was even a market taking place in the square.
dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome here. Upon request, dog beds in various sizes and bowls can be provided.
Special
You can also arrive by train, as it’s just a 5-minute walk from the station. To explore the area, there are four St. Oak bicycles available for use free of charge.
Price
Apartment from 280 euros per night.
Booking & contacts
St. Oak Apartments
Marktplatz 2B
16866 Kyritz
Germany
