Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Ideally located to explore the most modern district of Germany's capital city, the Ritz-Carlton Berlin has established itself at the heart of Potsdamer Platz. An elegant first class hotel, it is just a stone's throw away from the city centre. Its hushed atmosphere is sure to please vacationing couples as well as business travellers.
Ritz Carlton - © EASYVOYAGE
Ritz Carlton - © EASYVOYAGE
The hotel stands on Potsdamer Platz next to the Sony Centre skyscraper with its fascinating architecture. Only a short distance from the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and other monuments, the Ritz Carlton benefits from the proximity of an efficient transport system (underground line U2 Potsdamer Platz and suburban S1 and S2). It is close to Potsdamer Bahnhof, built on the remains of Berlin's oldest railway station (1838). The main station (Alexander Platz) is a 10 minute drive away, or just 6 underground stations away from the hotel (U2 line, direction Pankov). Several of Berlin's major attractions are accessible on foot: the Opera, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the New National Gallery, and Charlottenburg Palace. Shopping addicts will love Potsdamer Platz Arkaden (Arcades), with 50 shops open every day, and Friedrichstrasse (Friedrich Street) with its boutiques.
Despite the building's modern style - it was built in 2004 - the interior offers everything that frequent visitors of Ritz Carlton establishments are accustomed to. Two automatic doors (careful of the draught!) open onto a highly refined entrance hall that boasts an abundant use of marble, huge carpets, a massive stairway, a baby grand piano, fireplaces, and window displays of products by prestigious brands... Everything is right here! There are also 2 armchairs in which guests recline while their shoes are being polished; a first class treatment! If you enjoyed the entrance hall, you'll be enthralled by the splendid La Prairie spa centre. It is a high tech well-being centre where guests can exercise (small fitness room, large swimming pool under a star-filled sky) or relax (jacuzzi, deckchairs, 4 massage rooms, 2 beauty parlours, a sauna, and Turkish baths). Another feature of the Ritz Carlton is the fact that it provides 5 computers in its large business centre.
The hotel opened in 2004 and offers 303 accommodation units that come in 6 categories and occupy 11 floors: superior, executive, deluxe, big suite, suite with a view, and presidential suite. Some of the rooms are among the biggest and most expensive in the city. Prices for a night range from £340 to £6,000 and can reach an astronomical £13,000 for the suites. The hotel's interior is designed by Peter Silling (from Cologne) whereas the furniture is inspired by the German imperial style. In fact, the entire hotel is a tribute to this style: parquet floors in the entrance and wall-to-wall carpet in the rooms, ancient paintings, green bedspreads, chests and furniture made of rare wood... As for the amenities, you can't get any closer to perfection: large twin beds or single king size bed, phone, individual air conditioning, Internet connection, plasma screen TV, DVD player, minibar, safe, trouser press, umbrella, bathrobes, slippers, courtesy bottle of water, and control panel in the bedside table. You can close the curtains without getting out of bed! The bathroom is an attraction unto itself: heated floor, shower and bathtub, double sink, set of scales, and hospitality products by the prestigious Bulgari brand.
If you want the best view, request a room on the upper floors looking out over Potsdamer Platz: the Sony centre lights up in blue at night, creating a very special atmosphere.
The 2 top floors of the hotel are reserved for guests staying in the Executive suites: they include free snacks and drinks, a concierge service, and free Internet access.
As far as the cuisine is concerned, the Ritz Carlton has banked on French gastronomy. The Desbrosses brasserie doesn't yet boast a Michelin star but it can be proud of its menu and its prices: starters (salads, soups), local specialities (flammekueche), international dishes (steak and fries) starting at £13, seafood for £24, barbecues for £16... It can also be proud of its double purpose: half brasserie, half bakery! You can even buy some typically French products here: olive oil, vinegar, tomato juice, etc. The establishment serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and brunch from noon till 3:00pm on Sundays in a very French setting. The hotel's management had all the furniture imported from an authentic 19th century brasserie. Other well kept secrets of the hotel include the tea lounge (where tea is served true to custom from 2:00pm till 6:00pm) and the dark Curtain Club.
Despite the establishment's young age, the restaurant and the lobby of the Ritz Carlton were completely renovated in 2007. The hotel also took advantage of the opportunity to have air conditioning installed.
sauna, massage, hammam, keep fit, beauty salon, wellness, spa, Turkish bath
tennis, gym, sports, fitness, mountain bike
You might be wondering how the Lux 11, which opened in 2005, got its name. The truth is, this very popular upmarket hotel in the country's capital is, in fact, located between numbers 9 and 13 on a discreet little street in the select Mitte district of the city. This once sad little corner of former East Germany has since been taken over by a large number of art galleries, boutiques, lively bars, and even celebrities. With its minimalist white and fuchsia pink geometric decor, the hotel will undoubtedly appeal to a young and trendy clientele.
Having opened in 1970, the Park Inn obviously had a hunch before anyone else of the potential of this district in former East Germany. However, in spite of several renovations, the Park Inn's various facilities are not all equal. In terms of decoration, for example, some of the rooms display a modern decor while some others have not aged well, such as the breakfast room. The size of the hotel (1,020 guest rooms) will scare more than one away, but it will definitely make bungee jumpers happy: The hotel organises maiden jumps from the 39th floor! Therefore, we recommend this hotel to people who are not afraid of heights or anyone not horrified by large establishments.
The aptly named Alexander Plaza is a boutique hotel with 94-guestrooms housed in a late 19th century building, just a stone's throw from Alexanderplatz. Renovated in 2005, the Alexander Plaza has managed to retain some original elements, while adapting to the requirements of today's hospitality business. The result is a hotel which is modern without showing off, unlike other contemporary hotels of Berlin, and warm to its guests...
The Casa Camper boasts a prime location and is one of Berlin's more stylish, modern hotels. The remarkable decor here is both original and low-key, and great attention has been paid to every last detail, maintaining the harmony between the fine materials and industrial decorative elements found throughout the spacious surroundings. The guest rooms at the hotel have an impressive floor area of 30m², and if you have an iPod you'll be pleased to know that there are docking stations both in the guest rooms and in the hotel gym. If you're someone who likes to keep fit and watch what they eat you'll be delighted with the daily buffet breakfast, which consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, plus a selection of Japanese dishes. We would also recommend you check out the reading room on the top floor, if only for its impressive views across the city.
Much like many of its sister establishments, the Radisson Blu, which opened in 2004, quickly identified the potential of this Berlin neighbourhood situated in former East Germany. The renown of the group and the original architectural style took care of the rest, turning it into one of the capital's most famous hotels. Unlike the cold and charmless design favoured by other hotel groups, this establishment has created a fun atmosphere, in particular thanks to its massive aquarium in the middle of the lobby. This hotel caters to all: couples, families, and lone travellers of all ages!
This perfectly pleasant three-star establishment has plenty to offer, not least its good location in one of the trendier parts of Berlin, stylish surroundings and good value for money. The Amano is located close to Rosenthalerplatz, between the Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg districts of the city, and has been open since August 2009. The bright, all-grey entrance hall is welcoming and features original furniture and if you're a fan of photography you'll no doubt appreciate the work of the German artist adorning the walls. The hotel also boasts a special room equipped with two computers and free Wi-Fi access. Despite being a little on the small side, the guest rooms here are nevertheless perfectly practical and come with all the basic amenities you would need.
The Novotel Berlin Mitte is a good hotel for families, with, among other things, communicating rooms, a sofa bed in most rooms, a special children's menu, and a Wii game console provided in the entrance hall. This is the reason why the establishment is often fully-booked during the school holidays, long weekends, and during the month of December, which is the Christmas market period. It's located half-way between Postdamer and Alexanderplatz, two of Berlin's liveliest areas, both of which can be reached easily thanks to the nearby Spittelmarkt metro station. Furthermore, it includes a gym, a sauna and a huge car park with 100 spaces. The hotel belongs to the Accor French hotel chain.
It's not easy to pronounce the name of this four-star establishment, located at the intersection of three trendy districts of the German capital: Mitte, Friedrichshain and Friedrichstadt. However, you'll quickly feel at ease in this establishment that is both classical and modern. Its reasonable size (144 rooms), conference rooms and leisure facilities make it an ideal place for both holidays and business trips. The hotel's management describes the establishment's style as "timeless and classical".
The original facade of this establishment, one of the German capital's finest, says a great deal about its illustrious past, and the Hôtel de Rome is in fact one of the few luxury hotels to have taken up residence in a period establishment. Having said that, it's still hard to imagine the wonders concealed behind its walls, a tasteful combination of old and contemporary, from the superb entrance hall to the wonderful spa housed in the building's former vault. This hotel comes highly recommended to all those who have the means to stay there, and if you haven't, at least try the restaurant!
The Adlon Kempinski is a historic luxury hotel in Berlin, also considered one of the world's most beautiful hotels. At the foot of the Brandenburg Gate, this highly luxurious hotel aspires to be the worthy successor of the illustrious hotel located on the same spot and destroyed during World War 2, but it does claim a modern facet to its service and decor. Managed by the Kempinski group, this hotel is hailed by all as a gem of architecture, with perfect technique and ambiance. These assets did not leave celebrities such as Greta Garbo and Charlie Chaplin or still, many politicians, who all stayed at this hotel, unmoved. Ideal for a little break or even just a little glimpse!
Most of the guests staying at this elegant hotel, which stands between the avenues of 'Unter den Linden' and 'Friedrichstraße', do not know about its history. The chunk of wall displayed near the front door is the first clue. Built in 1987, the Westin Grand Hotel replaced a shopping centre destroyed during the Great War. This establishment inherited its predecessor's refinement, as well as a few almost identically reconstructed former characteristics. The rest of the hotel teeters between a classical and a contemporary style. Everyone should be able to find what they are looking for here... as long as they can afford it of course!
You might be wondering how the Lux 11, which opened in 2005, got its name. The truth is, this very popular upmarket hotel in the country's capital is, in fact, located between numbers 9 and 13 on a discreet little street in the select Mitte district of the city. This once sad little corner of former East Germany has since been taken over by a large number of art galleries, boutiques, lively bars, and even celebrities. With its minimalist white and fuchsia pink geometric decor, the hotel will undoubtedly appeal to a young and trendy clientele.
The Berlin Hilton is one of the city's luxury establishments, offering deluxe rooms with fantastic views over the square of Gendarmenmarkt and the Französischer Dom church. From the decoration of the 601 guest rooms to the furnishing in the communal areas, where a mixture of modern features and older items sets the scene, the interior decor has been closely thought out, right down to the smallest detail. In addition to the varied set of facilities, which include a swimming pool, a gym, a hair stylist and a beauty salon, the Hilton also boasts an à la carte restaurant that serves regional gourmet specialities. Breakfast, on the other hand, consists of a copious buffet of delicious dishes served every morning in a first-floor dining room.
It is considered by some as 'the only modern luxury hotel' of Berlin. Open since 1998, the Grand Hyatt is certainly part of the very close circle of highly luxurious hotels in the German capital city. As it stands close to the famous Potsdamer Platz, the hotel benefits from an ideal location close to the splendid Christmas market in winter and inevitably enjoys the proximity of shops and restaurants open all year round. Guests can also use the in-house spa, so the activities are endless, whether indoors or outdoors!
Mere mention of the word "Sofitel" is a guarantee of French luxury and know-how all over the world. The Berlin Gendarmenmarkt outpost is no exception to the rule and even brings some of its own additional touches, notably in the decor. The attractive combination of its ultra-modern design and the Communist-era architecture is impressive. It is a moderate-sized establishment looked after in a superlative manner by an efficient, friendly team, and is well worth a stay if you can afford the rates!
The Berlin Movenpick hotel is much like its home town. It's a surprisingly trendy establishment. It was built in 1914 by Herr Siemens, opposite his first factory, and still shows many industrial architectural elements of that era, associated with a modern interior and noble materials such as European wallnut wood. With items taken from the ancient next-door railway station decorating each floor, the industrial interior is complete. The establishment includes 243 fully-equipped rooms (the standard ones feature a bathtub designed by Philippe Starck), a business centre with two computers connected to the Internet, a gym and a sauna. The restaurant and its large bay window which opens up in the summer are worthy of mention.