Decision review: AR 10117, Berlin
Who this residence suits
AR 10117 is a serviced independent house in central Berlin, close to Alexanderplatz. Based on its room types (3-bed and 5-bed units) and the available reviews, it works best for students or young professionals who value location and short-term flexibility over a traditional flat-share.
- Short-term arrivals: The residence is available from 13 July 2026, making it suitable for summer semester intakes or as a temporary base while searching for longer housing.
- Students at central universities: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Freie Universität Berlin are all reachable via public transport from the area around Alexanderplatz. The residence’s proximity to a train station and S-Bahn makes it convenient for commuting.
- People who want bills included: The property lists “bills included” as a tag, which means the monthly rent covers utilities. This removes the need to set up separate contracts for electricity, heating, or internet.
- Those who want on-site facilities: The building includes a gym, laundry facility, a courtyard, and tables for working downstairs – features not common in standard shared flats.
The unit type “branded_independent_house” suggests it operates like a managed hotel or hostel with individual room locks and shared common areas. This can suit people who prefer a structured environment with reception and regular cleaning.
Who this residence does not suit
Several aspects may make it a poor fit for others.
- People needing a long-term flat-share: The residence is not a typical student flat. The 3-bed and 5-bed room descriptions likely refer to dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchenettes. Reviews mention that the “room was always too hot” and that the AC “wasn’t blowing super cold air” – a problem in summer. If you require precise temperature control or a private kitchen, this may not be ideal.
- Those on a tight budget: The minimum price of 450 EUR per month is only slightly above the city’s from-price of 440 EUR. However, the maximum of 1350 EUR is high. Without knowing exactly which room type corresponds to which price, a student looking for the cheapest option (around 450 EUR) should compare with other properties in Berlin that also include bills.
- People seeking a quiet, private space: One review mentions “room issues” and a “disappointing stay”. The 2-star rating from Jens Winkelmann points to problems beyond the hot room. The residence’s ground-floor gym and table tennis area are praised by some but could mean noise in certain rooms.
- Those who want a full kitchen: The tags do not include “kitchen”. The building likely has a breakfast option (called “good but quite expensive” by one guest), but for self-catering you may need to rely on a simple shared kitchenette or eat out. This adds to monthly costs.
What residents actually say
The property has a Google rating of 4.2 from 2,328 reviews. Below are the three reviews provided. They reflect a mixed reality – strong location and service, but recurring comfort issues.
Jens Winkelmann (Rating: 2)
“Good location and friendly staff, but overall a disappointing stay due to room issues. Great location near Alexanderplatz with excellent public transport connections. The ground floor facilities with gym and table tennis are a nice bonus. Breakfast is good but quite expensive. Unfortunately, there were several issues d” (text truncated in source)
Thomas Lundkvist (Rating: 5)
“I love the vibe of this Hotel Chain. The rooms are functional. Bed is good. Room and bathroom is good. Service, reception, bar, cleaning crew, breakfast crew are very very good and service minded. You have a gym, laundry facilities, courtyard. The hotel is close to train station and 300m walk to Aleksandr platz”
Marianne (Rating: 4)
“Location is great, central. The gym is nice if you care to workout. There are plenty of tables downstairs to work if you don’t want to work in your room. For the most part, my stay was good. The only challenge was that the room was always too hot. The AC wasn’t blowing super cold air. I left the window open during the” (text truncated)
The common positive points are location near Alexanderplatz, friendly service, and functional rooms. The negative points centre on room temperature and the cost of breakfast. No review mentions noise from other residents, but the potential for hot rooms in summer is noted.
Price positioning vs the city’s from-price
Berlin’s average minimum rent for student properties on the platform is 440 EUR per month. AR 10117’s minimum is 450 EUR – essentially at the city baseline. The range of 450–1350 EUR is wide. To understand where you would land within that range, you would need to contact the operator for a specific room type.
- A 3-bed unit (likely a triple room) would be at the lower end of the range, probably around 450–700 EUR.
- A 5-bed unit (dorm-style) could be similar or slightly higher.
- A “branded_independent_house” unit (private room in a managed house) may be at the upper end, possibly 800–1350 EUR.
Given that bills are included, the 450 EUR figure is competitive. However, the upper limit of 1350 EUR is above many shared flats in Berlin. If you book a private room, you may pay nearly three times the city’s from-price. Always confirm the exact amount with the operator before committing.
Room-type guidance
The property lists three unit types:
- 3b: Likely a three-bed dormitory or a 3-bedroom flat with shared living space.
- 5b: Similar, but with five beds. This could mean a larger dorm or a flat with five separate bedrooms and shared common areas.
- branded_independent_house: This is the most ambiguous. Given the name “AR 10117” and the fact that it is run like a hotel chain (as mentioned in Thomas Lundkvist’s review), this probably refers to a private room with ensuite bathroom, in a building that also offers dorm options.
If you want the cheapest option, choose a bed in the 3b or 5b unit. If you want privacy, choose the branded independent house – but be prepared to pay more and possibly face the hot-room issue mentioned by Marianne.
Booking timing
The residence is available from 13 July 2026. Availability in mid-2026 means you can book now. Because Berlin has 97 student properties on the platform, competition is moderate. However, central properties near Alexanderplatz fill quickly for the winter semester (starting October 2026). If you plan to move in July or September, it is wise to book at least 2–3 months in advance.
No minimum lease length is specified in the data. Contact the operator to confirm whether you can stay for one month, a semester, or an academic year.
Frequently asked questions
H3: Do I need to pay a deposit?
The data does not include a deposit amount. For this residence, the deposit policy is not listed. You should verify with the operator whether a deposit is required – typically for serviced apartments a small security deposit (one month’s rent or less) may apply, or it might be waived for short stays.
H3: Are bills really included? What about internet?
Yes, the tags show “Wi-Fi” and “bills_included”. This means your monthly rent covers water, electricity, heating, and internet. There should be no surprise utility charges. The guest review by Thomas mentions laundry facilities – those may be included or coin-operated. Ask the operator for details about laundry costs.
H3: Can I cook in my room?
The property does not tag “kitchen”. One reviewer mentions that “breakfast is good but quite expensive”. The common areas downstairs include tables for working and a gym, but not necessarily a full kitchen. If you plan to cook, verify whether the 3b or 5b units have a shared kitchenette. The branded independent house may have no cooking facilities at all.
Sources & data date
Data retrieved from AmberStudent platform on 2026-07. Google rating (4.2, 2,328 reviews) and reviews as quoted are from Google Reviews aggregated on that platform. All prices in EUR are indicative – confirm with the operator.
For live availability and exact pricing for your preferred dates, please use the on-site chat assistant to speak with a booking agent.
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