Far from the maddening crowd: Why Berlin is the perfect bank holiday escape

In the UK, you’d have to be living under a rock to miss news about the Platinum Jubilee. This year, the Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years of service – and we’re getting a four-day weekend to celebrate. Sure, corgis are cute, but it’s OK to admit that the Jubilee celebrations are not everyone’s cup of tea. Find street parties anxiety-inducing? Is bunting not up your street? Perhaps you’re not British and the whole thing is giving you a slight cognitive dissonance? Thankfully, four days are ideal for a trip away. And as a quick escape for those based in the UK or Europe, Berlin is your best bet.

The German capital has long been a space to reinvent yourself and test creative frontiers. David Bowie famously made the city his home in the 1970s to record the Berlin trilogy (Low, Heroes, and Lodger albums). In Wim Wenders’ movie, Wings Of Desire, the city erodes a boundary between angels and mortals. Another cult film classic, 1981’s Christiane F., truly captures Berlin’s austere, decadent – and at times – harsh spirit. In its most famous scene, a gang of teenagers storms through Europa-Center mall to watch the sunrise from its rooftop under the luminous Mercedes logo – there is a sense of hope, desperation, survival, never-ending change.

Undeniably, the city’s been through a major glow-up in recent years – but the freedom-hungry spirit is still there, brought by thousands of people who move here in the pursuit of opportunities, thrills, or a new home. Whether you’re coming here to spend 24 hours in the dark concrete belly of techno heaven Berghain, seek your new persona in the style of Wolfgang Tillmans’ melancholic youth, or simply enjoy museums and a great brunch, Berlin can accommodate. Forget what you left behind – you’re here now.

Located five minutes away from the renowned Alexanderplatz, Soho House Berlin is a great escape in its own right. So, in case the reclusive mood persists, there is no need to leave the building. The eight-storey restored Bauhaus haven has a calming aura, thanks to exposed concrete and expansive open spaces. In addition to 65 bedrooms, there is a choice of 20 elegant lofts and apartments for enjoying a calm afternoon or soaking in a monumental freestanding bath sipping on pre-mixed Negroni, Martini, and Old Fashioned cocktails. 

The Sticks ’n’ Sushi pop-up opens on Tuesday 31 May for a contemporary take on Japanese food already much-loved in the city, so lunch is sorted. For a detox day – whether you’re a wellness lover or simply sweating out last night’s party – there is a full gym, a hammam, and the Cowshed spa. 

Soho House Berlin is also the best place to observe the city in flux: from a capital divided between east and west to a burgeoning hub for art, design, food, nightlife, and cutting-edge ideas. Both The Store X and the rooftop pool have become the city’s signature hangouts, while Cecconi’s and the House Kitchen are great for sharing stories over an indulgent dinner. Come for a weekend and see why escape sometimes becomes a home.  

As part of our Destination Europe offer, we’re giving members 25% off the usual rate at selected European Houses including Berlin, until the end of July. Book your bedroom here.