Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [97]
The following are also recommended:
Hotel Honigmond (Map; 284 4550; www.honigmond-berlin.de, in German; Tieckstrasse 12; s €95-165, d €145-235; ) This sister property of Honigmond Garden scores a perfect 10 on our ‘charmometer’ for its familial yet elegant ambience.
Arcotel Velvet (Map; 278 7530; www.arcotel.at; Oranienburger Strasse 52; r €108-220, breakfast €15; ) Supercentral cool-magnet with bold colours and edgy custom design inspired by prominent Berliners.
TOP END
Adlon Hotel Kempinski (Map; 226 10; www.hotel-adlon.de; Unter den Linden 77; s €320-440, d €370-490, breakfast €32; ) Close to embassies, the government quarter and, well, just about everything else, the Adlon has been Berlin’s most high-profile defender of the grand tradition since 1907. A sleek day spa, the Felix club-restaurant Click here and a Michelin-starred gourmet outpost have added 21st-century spice to what can otherwise be a rather stodgy ambience.
Hotel de Rome (Map; 460 6090; www.hotelderome.com; Behrensstrasse 37; r €395-495, breakfast €26; ) If you have coin, set up shop in this 19th-century bank HQ where designer Tommaso Ziffer has created a delightful alchemy of historic and contemporary flair. The former vault is now the pool/spa area and the directors’ rooms (still with wartime-era shrapnel wounds in the wainscoting) are now the luxury suites. Great cocktails in the Bebel Bar.
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Prenzlauer Berg
East Seven Hostel (Map; 9362 2240; www.eastseven.de; Schwedter Strasse 7; dm €17, s/d/tr/q €37/50/51/78, winter discounts, linen €3; ) Friendly, convivial and fun, this small hostel is within strolling distance of hip hang-outs and public transport. Cultural and linguistic barriers melt quickly in the idyllic back garden, the guest kitchen (with dishwasher!) or the retro lounge. Come sleepy-time, retreat to comfy pine beds in brightly painted dorms or private rooms.
Lette ‘m Sleep (Map; 4473 3623; www.backpackers.de; Lettestrasse 7; dm €17-21, tw/apt €49/69, discounts Nov-Mar; ) One of our long-time favourites, this is a textbook boho hostel: friendly, earthy, chilled and right on hip Helmholtzplatz. Coffee, tea and internet are free.
Meininger City Hostel & Hotel (Map; 6663 6100; www.meininger-hostels.de; Schönhauser Allee 19; dm €19, s/d/tr €52/70/102, breakfast €3.50; ) Run with panache and professionalism, this top-flight hotel–hostel combo is ideal for savvy nomads seeking plenty of comfort without dropping buckets of cash. A lift whisks you to mod rooms and dorms (all with attached bathrooms) with plenty of space, quality furnishings, flat-screen TVs and even blackout blinds to combat jetlag (or hang-overs). Other assets: the all-day cafe-bar, guest kitchen and spot-on location close to sights, eats and party. Check the website for the other four Berlin locations, including a new one at the Hauptbahnhof.
Hotel Apartmenthaus Zarenhof (Map; 802 0880; www.apartmenthaus-zarenhof.de; Schönhauser Allee 140; r €80-160, breakfast €11; ) At this homage to Russian Tsar Nicholas II, rooms pair a regal red-and-blue colour scheme with such 21st-century amenities as plasma TVs. Most units wrap around a central courtyard and come with kitchenettes and small balconies. The gut-buster breakfasts feature such Russian specialities as blinis (pancakes) and even caviar.
Ackselhaus & Blue Home (Map; 4433 7633; www.ackselhaus.de; Belforter Strasse 21; 1-/2-room apt from €110-180; ) This charismatic contender brings ‘sexy’ back to the bedroom in 10 apartments spread across two 19th-century buildings. Themed from naughty to nautical, elegant to eastern, each sports a small living room and kitchenette. Breakfast is served until 11am (12.30pm on weekends).
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Potsdamer Platz & Tiergarten
Mövenpick Hotel Berlin (Map; 230 060; www.moevenpick-berlin.com; Schöneberger Strasse 3; d €115-200, breakfast