Four Cosy Getaways for Wintry Escapes North of Berlin

Gutshaus Rensow is so much more than just a holiday in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern—it’s like a trip through time. This historic manor house was erected on the ruins of a medieval complex back in 1960. The house’s hosts, Christina and Knut, breathed new life into the baroque space using considerable amounts of thought, dedication and respect for its past. In fact, they live under the very same roof with their three children and regularly enjoy opening their home to guests. As a result, the atmosphere is very familiar—meals are cooked together on occasion, and the hosts are always happy to cater to individual guests’ wishes.

Gutshaus Rensow can accommodate 21 people across four flats and three double rooms, each of which tells its very own story. The furnishings reveal a mixture of carefully selected antique furniture and unusual, sometimes peculiar, pieces found in the house before it was renovated or collected while travelling. The surrounding hilly terminal moraine landscape that characterises Recknitz Valley and Mecklenburgische Schweiz’s abundant nature reserves give way to plenty of hikes and experiences outdoors all year round.

This secluded and impressive 20th-century villa is carefully tucked away between fields, lakes and forests. Villa Auguste was extensively renovated by hosts Daniela and Martin van Eickels who lovingly transformed it into a light-flooded holiday home. Today, up to eight guests can make themselves comfortable in four bedrooms across two floors. Villa Auguste’s spacious kitchen and directly adjoining dining and living room area, equipped with a cast-iron fireplace, form the heart of the home.

The mix of timeless furniture pieces and meticulously chosen accents, such as the living room’s colourful wallpaper, transforms this elegant Wilhelminian villa into a cosy holiday home. The hosts artfully achieved a modern country house aesthetic with the help of decorative finds and unique historical pieces, such as the stripped, antique wooden kitchen door and the patterned cement bathroom tiles. Take a moment to let your eyes rest on the dreamlike view overlooking the surrounding fields and park-like gardens.

From the very first moment this guesthouse’s hosts first set foot on the property, they knew what they would end up naming their modern build—today, Rosenhaus (which translate to ‘Rose House’) is proudly surrounded by its namesake, a large garden with wild, overgrown rose hedges and a millstream, in the Northern Uckermark region. Tobias Meixner and architect Verena Kyrein-Meixner, who ideated the house’s design and oversaw its construction, officially opened the doors of their spacious wooden house to guests in 2020. Rosenhaus Uckermark can host up to ten guests. The house was constructed along with a sauna outhouse and garden shed to mimic a three-sided farm. The wood, which dominates the house’s façade, ceilings and minimalist furniture, creates a warm atmosphere.

Thanks to the house’s large panoramic windows, winter’s darkest days are brightened up by the fantastic views of the garden and surrounding hillscapes. And the cosy fireplace has all the makings of a quiet day indoors. Come nightfall, the sauna outhouse beckons. In summer, you can relax under the shade of old fruit trees in the outdoor seating area or find a sit spot in the courtyard. The nearby farm shop in Flieth carries a fantastic selection of regional products. And you can choose from a fabulous assortment of wines at Weinhandlung C. Soyeux in Potzlow. To embark on a stroll with breathtaking views of six Uckermark lakes, start out at Potzlower Seeblick and make your way around Potzlower See.

Rügen Island is known for its diverse landscapes marked by rugged cliffs and kilometres of fine sandy beaches that extend from the dunes. Those looking to experience its picturesque beauty off the beaten track are in good hands at Kornspeicher Mauritz. Hailing from Berlin, architect Andreas Breckwoldt took the building under his wing and transformed the former granary into four sunny holiday apartments. The house’s history, which dates back to 1904, is still visible throughout its interior, thanks to Breckwoldt’s decision to maintain the open brick walls and solid wooden beams. Meanwhile, modern bathrooms, a sauna, yoga room and exceptionally well-equipped kitchens have all the makings of a comfortable holiday.

Kornspeicher Mauritz is located on the island’s quiet southeastern peninsula, where secluded excursions await. We recommend renting bikes to explore the paths that lead through pristine landscapes to nearby beaches, such as Palmer Ort. Greifswald Bodden and the Strelasund are also worth a day trip.