Top 10: Stylish Berlin Hotels

Pat Sullivan, The Daily Telegraph, November 5, 2014

Brandenburger Hof hotel

On a pretty, tree-dotted avenue in Charlottenburg, Berlin : the hotel is peaceful yet close to the much busier Kurfürstendamm. The hotel oozes refined character in a number of styles; there’s a whiff of Bauhaus about the place, but also classical elements like stucco ceilings and Doric columns, and contemporary features such as the modern sculptures that are dotted around. The library, wine cellar, cigar lounge and piano bar enhance the sophisticated feel.

 

Modern touches in the bedrooms (which open up onto garden- or street-facing balconies) include beds raised on platforms, contemporary artwork and flatscreen televisions lend a classic touch. Suites all face the courtyard garden.

The hotel restaurant, Die Quadriga, holds a Michelin star and has to be visited at least once to try Sauli Kemppainen’s exquisite Nordic-influenced cuisine.

Read the full review: Brandenburger Hof hotel, Berlin

Ritz-Carlton hotel

Both business and leisure travellers tend to enjoy the Ritz Carlton for its five-star reliability and prime location. The hotel’s distinctive skyscraper-style building fits perfectly into Potsdamer Platz’s NYC-esque cityscape but the interiors are more European – albeit Old Europe, with baroque chandeliers, marble staircases and Art Deco furnishings.

 

There are 303 guest rooms (including 30 suites), all of which continue the classic theme albeit with concessions to modernity: think a soothing mix of beiges and browns, Markus Luepertz watercolours and gorgeous cherry wood furniture. There are lots of creature comforts in the rooms, including bedside control panels, heated bathroom floors as well as views of either Potsdamer Platz or the sprawling Tiergarten Park. There’s a very comprehensive spa on site, too.

Read the full review: Ritz-Carlton hotel, Berlin

Ackselhaus and Blue Home hotel

The two hotels are connected on a quiet, residential street in leafy Prenzlauer Berg, not far from the downtown buzz of Mitte or the kid-friendly environs of Kollwitzplatz to the north. The two hotels are different, though both have been very tastefully done. The hotel has an open and immediately friendly feel to it – the lounge-style apartment makes it feel like a home. During summer you can put your feet up in the leafy and lovely Balinese courtyard garden.

 

Bluehome has a more Mediterranean feel with some aquatic touches (and is more expensive), while Ackselhaus’ mini-apartments offer various themes that range from the geographical to the filmic (none are too OTT). Each apartment comes with a theme in the bedroom.

Read the full review: Ackselhaus and Blue Home hotel, Berlin

25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin

One of the funkiest hotels in West Berlin, 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin retains just the right amount of original exposed concrete. Aisslinger has otherwise gone wild, dangling Schindelhauer bicycles from the ceiling, plastering the walls with eye-catching slogans, illustrations and photos, and peppering the public areas with funky furnishings (including fur-lined hammocks, a Vitra swing sofa) and a plethora of tropical foliage. The reception (3rd floor) comes with an in-house bakery and a shop run by local coffee-table book publishers Gestalten.

 

Choosing a room here largely means choosing a view: ‘Jungle’ rooms have views across the ape and elephant enclosures at the Zoo and ‘Urban’ rooms look over the war-damaged spire of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the City West skyline.

Read the full review: 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, Germany

Soho House Berlin

Soho House occupies eight floors of a late Bauhaus building in Mitte. The building is of special historical interest even by Berlin standards, since it was previously used as a centre for Hitler’s Brownshirts and later as an archival depot for the Communist Party. In keeping with Berlin’s penchant for earthy chic, many of the dilapidated concrete walls have been left unfinished, interleaved with expensive original artworks and modernist sculptures. Downstairs you’ll find a library and private cinema (for up to 36 people) as well as a gym and very cosy spa. Note that these facilities are off limits unless you’re a paid up member or guest of the hotel.

 

The 40 idiosyncratic rooms come in various sizes from very 'itsy' to 'XL'. Rooms at the front have great views of the city. The décor is aptly decadent, with 300-thread count linens, free-standing bathtubs, rain showers and flat-screen televisions and quirky objects like antique hat boxes scattered around.

Read the full review: Soho House Berlin, Germany

Hotel Amano

Interior designer Ester Bruzkus has managed to give the interior a contemporary and fairly luxuriant feel, especially in the lounge and bistro area, which features brushed copper, velvet upholstery and contemporary artworks by photographer Oliver Rath (whose gallery is right next door). The courtyard garden is small but very pleasant, and the rooftop terrace bar attracts a hip crowd. Hotel extras include bicycles and tandem bikes for hire, X-Boxes with games to rent (as well as DVDs), constantly updated Mini Maps and iPods with a pre-loaded Berlin soundtrack.

 

From a functional perspective, the rooms do contain almost everything you’ll need: decent-sized beds, television and en suite bathroom. There’s no minibar, but there are vending machines on the ground floor

Read the full review: Hotel Amano, Berlin

Michelberger Hotel

Although it falls into a budget category, the space has been designed by internationally renowned designer Werner Aisslinger, who has worked hard to make sure the whole place yells youthful creativity. The big round desk that acts as reception is part of a large, open lobby area that has a deliberately unfinished feel and contains a characterful café and lounge. There’s also a courtyard that doubles as a beer garden and concert venue and the café / bar stays open all night long (and serves a decent breakfast in the morning).

 

Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms (all 119) are individually designed in a dizzying variety of themes (a chalet, a library) and contain plenty of Berlin-style “flea market” furniture and cheeky fixtures like mirrors dangling from ropes.

Read the full review: Michelberger Hotel, Berlin

Hotel de Rome

Hotel de Rome is smack bang on Bebelplatz so superbly placed for a lot of Berlin’s main attractions. The hotel occupies the site of a former Dresdner Bank building, which was built in 1889. The architects have retained many original features, especially in the spa, which is located downstairs where the bank vaults used to be, while crafting an interior that’s stately yet contemporary. The ground floor reception area is impressive and imposing in equal measure, and the cocktail bar and restaurant equally refined.

 

The 146 bedrooms and 43 suites lack the ritzy flamboyance of the public areas somewhat, but they’re undeniably comfortable and luxurious. The bathrooms are equipped with marble detailing and designer bath products and the suites have balconies overlooking Bebelplatz.

Read the full review: Hotel de Rome, Berlin

Weinmeister

Weinmeister is in the middle of ‘hipster’ Mitte, nestled devilishly amidst the galleries and boutiques, the bars and the restaurants. The faux graffiti that ‘hides’ the main entrance tells you what you need to know about the ‘ironic chic’ style of the hotel. Inside is a long reception area-cum-bar, a restaurant featuring chairs with oversized backs, and a stairwell/lift area that leads up to the rooms (also been elaborated decorated with ‘designer’ graffiti). Up on the sixth floor is a decent spa with whirlpool and sauna.

 

The guest rooms are spacious and modern. Huge designer beds are the centerpiece, supported by a constellation of trendy touches, from Apple TV systems and black-walled showers to handcrafted lamps.

Read the full review: Weinmeister hotel, Berlin

Waldorf Astoria Berlin hotel

This classic Berlin hotel, in the city’s upmarket City West district, more than earns each of its five stars for its convenient location, excellent service and superb Michelin-starred cuisine. Elegant and sophisticated, the interiors form a blend of classic and modern touches, from the grand spiral staircase and marble floors to the signature Peacock Alley lounge. The giant metal gate in the lobby pays homage to the towering facade of the flagship Waldorf Astoria New York.

 

Forming part of the imposing 118m-high Zoofenster (‘zoo window’) tower, all 232 rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Berlin Zoological Garden. The spacious rooms channel a classic Twenties-inspired look with pops of purple, red and gold.

Read the full review: Waldorf Astoria Berlin, Germany

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This article was written by Paul Sullivan from The Daily Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.