Seumi Berlin · Seumestraße 8, 10245 Friedrichshain
Book a Berlin apartment direct — no Airbnb needed
People searching for an "Airbnb alternative in Berlin" usually don't want to abandon the idea of Airbnb-style short stays — they want to avoid the Airbnb service fee. The good news: many hosts, including us, list the exact same apartment on their own website for direct booking. Same photos, same availability, same host — just without the platform markup.
What does "booking direct" actually mean?
Airbnb, Booking.com, and similar platforms (OTAs, "Online Travel Agencies") act as intermediaries: they display the listing, handle payment and messaging, and charge a fee for it — for Airbnb, that's typically a guest service fee of around 14–16% of the booking total, on top of the commission the host also pays. With a direct booking, the intermediary is removed: you book through the host's own website, payment is processed directly (via Stripe), and the service fee disappears.
Worth knowing: direct booking isn't a grey-area workaround or a way to bypass Airbnb's guest protections or reviews — it's simply a second, official sales channel that many professional hosts run alongside Airbnb. The apartment, the amenities, and the host are identical either way.
Why book direct?
No service fee
The Airbnb guest service fee, typically 14–16%, disappears entirely — a meaningful amount over several nights.
Direct contact
Questions before arrival go straight to the hosts, no detour through a platform's messaging system.
Same apartment
No compromise: the identical holiday apartment, same photos, same availability as on Airbnb.
Transparent pricing
Every fee — cleaning, the surcharge from the 3rd guest, the dog fee — is itemised clearly before payment.
Flexible payment
Secure card payment directly via Stripe, no platform account required.
Airbnb vs. booking direct
A simplified overview of what actually differs:
| Airbnb | Seumi Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Guest service fee | Typically 14–16% of the booking total | None |
| Apartment & amenities | Identical | Identical |
| Payment | Through the Airbnb platform | Direct by card (Stripe) |
| Communication | Via Airbnb messaging | Direct with the hosts |
| Cancellation terms | Per Airbnb's policy | 14-day full refund, see our terms |
For cancellation questions, our cancellation page is the binding source.
Our apartment: Seumestraße 8
58m² in a 1911 period building, on the ground floor of the front building, in the Samariterviertel part of Friedrichshain — a 3-minute walk from Boxhagener Platz. Sleeps 2 guests in one bedroom with a double bed.
All prices are transparent: the cleaning fee and any surcharges are shown before payment, exactly as they would be on Airbnb — just without the extra service fee.
- 58 m² floor area
- Ground floor, front building, one step at the entrance
- Built in 1911, period building with stucco ceilings
- Sleeps 2 guests
- Nightly rate approximately €130–220, depending on season
- Cleaning fee €55, dog welcome (€30 fee)
Frequently asked questions
Is booking directly safe?
Yes — payment is processed securely via Stripe, one of the world's largest payment processors. It's the same host and the same apartment as on Airbnb.
How much do I save compared to Airbnb?
The Airbnb guest service fee is typically 14–16% of the booking total. With a direct booking, that amount is removed entirely.
Is the apartment really the same as on Airbnb?
Yes, the exact same apartment at Seumestraße 8 with the same hosts — only the booking channel is different.
Can I cancel if I book directly?
Yes — a 14-day window for a full refund applies, details on our cancellation page.
Do I lose Airbnb's guest protections by booking direct?
Direct booking is its own sales channel with its own clearly stated terms (see our terms and cancellation page) — it's not a workaround, it's a parallel, official option.
Want to know more about the building's Altbau architecture? See the Altbau apartment in Berlin →
Book direct now — no Airbnb fee
From €130/night, direct with the hosts. Transparent pricing, no service fee.
Check availability · from €130/night