Berlin hotels

This is Berlin’s only privately-owned five-star hotel, and it is where Asian style meets Bauhaus furniture in a beautiful early 20^th century city palais. Staff master the art of being welcoming and attentive without being in any way intrusive. Located in a quiet street in the city’s western part and close to the shopping mile of Kurfürstendamm. The Michelin-starred Quadriga restaurant is headed by innovative Finnish chef Sauli Kemppainen and is a bit of an insider’s tip in Berlin.

The great thing about Berlin is that there are so many fantastic buildings. Rocco Forte’s Hotel de Rome is in the former head office of Dresdner Bank, which was located here until 1945. The late 19^th century structure on Bebelplatz, just off Unter den Linden, is very impressive. A lot of the original features have been kept such as the wood panelling (including bullet holes from World War II) or the old jewellery vault in the basement which is now a beauty spa. The hotel’s roof-top terrace and bar is a favourite hang-out for the beautiful and the famous.

Honigmond is a quirky place for the individual traveller, close to Hackescher Markt. Staying here is almost like living – albeit for a short time – in a typical period property in the city. Each room in the small, privately-run hotel is lovingly furnished. It’s charming, full of flair and very romantic. The breakfast comes highly recommended.

‘A gallery where you can spend the night’ is the idea behind this hotel in an old city palais next to Friedrichrichstrasse, where every room is decorated by a different artist. The theme is established as soon as you step into the lobby, which features sculptures and murals by different artists. Single and double rooms are ensuite or with separate bathrooms. If you fancy living it up Cabaret style, or being surrounded by the designs of Germany’s famous ‘banana sprayer’ Thomas Baumgärtel or laying your head down in an Edward Hopper tribute room – it’s all here.

Circus (in Mitte) was opened in 2008 as the hotel version of the Circus Hostel which is just across the road from the hotel, and equally popular. The room range runs from singles up to three room apartments for four people, and all are individually decorated.  Circus calls itself a ‘green’ hotel focusing on sustainability which means that solar panels and green energy are in use and there’s no air-conditioning. Lots of services offered to guests such as renting bikes, smart cars or guided city walks. €

Offers one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as two-bedroom maisonette apartments, sized between 37 and 60 square metres. Sophisticated, well equipped, cost-effective, and located in trendy Scheunenviertel in Mitte.

Tremendously hip and groovy place, artfully thrown together and very well marketed. Creativity meets hotel and catering, and the result can be a bit hit and miss. Rooms vary enormously from cosy doubles to big loft-bed apartments that can sleep six or more. And then there’s the dormitory, too. In the former east side close to the river and Warshauer Strasse S-bahn station. Regular live music and performance art. Expect a party.