Michelberger Hotel
Started by a group of young Berliners who dreamed of a uniquely designed, artsy space, the Michelberger Hotel, which has an eclectic bohemian style, is part inexpensive hotel, part clubhouse, and part café-bar-restaurant.
40 Best Hotels in Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s distinct personality shines through in its hotels. You’ll find everything here—rooms individually designed by artists at Arte Luise Kunsthotel; funky indoor camping at Hüttenpalast; ship cabins on the Spree River at Eastern Comfort; or classic European luxury at Hotel Adlon Kempinski. There’s something for everyone.
Although much of the city was destroyed during the war, many of the city’s hotels are in beautiful historic buildings, from old boarding houses like the Honigmond Hotel to the neoclassical Hotel de Rome, formerly a 19th-century bank. But with tourism on the upswing, the hotel industry is happily expanding to accommodate. New buildings seem to go up every day, including the Waldorf Astoria, a 1920s-style skyscraper in West Berlin, and Monbijou Hotel, on the quiet Monbijou park, which feels more like a neighborhood spot, although it’s just around the corner from a buzzing marketplace. Though prices in midrange to luxury hotels have increased, Berlin's first-class hotels still tend to be less expensive than their counterparts in Paris, London, or Rome, with comparatively spacious rooms.
Many of the city’s hotels are found around the major destination spots in Mitte—home of the Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, and many other landmarks—and recently, a string of new, fashionable hotels have been opened around West Berlin’s ritzy shopping boulevard Kurfürstendamm in Charlottenburg; these are great places to stay if you’re looking to pack in lots of sightseeing. But Berlin is an expansive city, and there are great farther-flung accommodations as well: Schlosshotel im Grunewald, near the beautiful Grunewald forest; Das Stue, in Tiergarten park, or the 25hours with an insider’s peek into the Berlin Zoo animal dens; and artist-inspired Hotel Klee, in the low-key residential neighborhood of Friedenau, a short ride away from the bustle.
Hotels listed here as $$$$ often come down to a $$ level on weekdays or when there is low demand. You may also have the option to decline the inclusion of breakfast, which can save you anywhere from €8 to €30 per person per day.
The least expensive accommodations are in pensions, which are similar to bed-and-breakfasts. These basic lodgings have limited amenities but include a European breakfast spread, which usually consists of bread, jam, meats, and cheeses. These are mostly found in western districts such as Charlottenburg, Schöneberg, and Wilmersdorf.
German and European travelers often use apartment-rental agencies for longer stays, and Americans on a budget should consider this as well (apartments start at €350 per month). In Berlin, double rooms with shared bathrooms in private apartments begin at around €33 per day.
Monbijou Hotel
This hotel off Hackescher Markt offers a central location, scenic views of the Berlin Cathedral, and affordable rooms, making it a great option for business travelers and sightseers. The roomy lobby is welcoming and although the rooms are quite small, they are well outfitted, with plush bedding, vintage-style European furnishings, iPod docks, and Molton Brown bath products.
nHow Berlin
This ultramodern music-focused hotel, designed by Karim Rashid, is an easy walk to the East Side Gallery and boasts striking rooms, prime Spree river views—especially from the riverside terrace—and cool features like a small art gallery and the option for guitars or keyboards in your room for your playing pleasure.
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Orania.Berlin
Tucked behind the handsome sandstone facade of a restored 1913 Art Nouveau building, this upscale boutique property in lively, bar-filled east Kreuzberg offers a warm contemporary design with subtle Asian influences, a sprawling corner restaurant-bar-lounge space, and a top-floor salon and library, featuring live concerts most nights of the week.
The Regent Berlin
One of Berlin's most esteemed and exclusive hotels, the Regent pairs the opulence of gilt furniture, thick carpets, marble floors, tasseled settees, and crystal chandeliers with such modern conveniences as flat-screen TVs and Nespresso coffeemakers.
Schlosshotel im Grunewald
In the beautiful, verdant setting of residential Grunewald, this small but palatial hotel is full of classic style and lavish decor. You might be reminded of a late-19th-century château. The interior was designed by Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld, whose personal suite is available to guests if the master himself is not in town. Service is amazingly personal but never intrusive. Arrange for a car, as this location is not convenient for seeing the central sights.
Sir Savigny
The Berlin outpost of the hip European boutique chain appeals to the creative class with its eclectic, arty interiors, urbane vibe, and beautifully designed rooms with plush furnishings.
Steigenberger Hotel Sanssouci
The terrace of this fine hotel overlooks the palace and park of Sanssouci. Spacious rooms have Hollywood and Babelsberg vintage photos and memorabilia and natural materials including terra-cotta floors and rattan furniture. A nice plus is the free transportation card for Berlin and Potsdam for the duration of your stay. The hotel restaurant serves international dishes, including those of the Brandenburg region.
Waldorf Astoria Berlin
This impressive skyscraper, a nod to the Waldorf's original New York location, has a chic art deco look, a suitably glamorous interior, and Germany's first Waldorf Astoria Spa complete with indoor pool.
The Westin Grand Hotel Berlin
This large hotel in a renovated East German building has a great location at the corner of Friedrichstrasse and Unter den Linden. Rooms have mustard-color floral wallpaper, easy chairs, and the trademark Heavenly Bed found at all Westin hotels. The inner courtyard view is of an attractive garden area with an unusual Dragon House conference pagoda. Soundproof bay windows make for a good night's sleep in any room. The marble-and-brass lobby is light-filled and enlivened with a piano and guests taking a coffee break at the sofas.
