Fodor's Expert Review Orania.Berlin

Tucked behind the handsome sandstone façade of a restored 1913 Art Nouveau building, this upscale boutique property opened in summer 2017 in the lively, bar-filled neighborhood of east Kreuzberg. Its warm contemporary design incorporates a multitude of exotic woods, finely crafted furnishings and subtle Asian influences. A sprawling corner restaurant-bar-lounge space entices with two wood-burning fireplaces, live piano music and plenty of cozy seating. The hotel’s crown jewel is the top-floor salon and library, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies offering breathtaking views of the skyline, plus live classical and jazz concerts Tuesdays and Thursdays (12 euro).

room

Though rooms and suites vary in size and shape, all feature beautiful wood floors, rich red textiles emblazoned with the hotel’s signature gold elephant and high-end German-made mattresses. Suites offer expansive seating areas with contemporary gray furnishings; some have French balconies. Flat-screen TVs with Apple TV technology, free Wi-Fi and mini-bars stocked with local Berlin products come standard; most rooms have Nespresso coffee-makers or they are available upon request.

bathroom

The extremely spacious modern marble bathrooms boast colorful his-and-her robes, Berlin-based i+m natural vegan products and walk-in rainforest showers. Some suites have a separate bathtub.

lobby

The open-plan lobby lounge-bar, referred to as the “Living Room,” offers lots of cozy seating areas, along with a wood-burning fireplace and huge windows overlooking Oranienstraße and the greenery of Oranienplatz.

gym

A small but well-equipped 24/7 fitness center on the lower level offers Technogym equipment, including treadmills and stationary bikes, as well as weights. You can sign up ahead of time for a massage in the single treatment room.

dining

Tucked in the corner next to a roaring fireplace, the Orania Restaurant offers a well-curated international menu that focuses on seasonal ingredients; the salads and seafood dishes are particularly good. A bar menu lists affordable small bites, but you can also order off the dinner menu at the bar.

drinking

You can sidle up to the long curving wood bar, which sports high-backed velvet stools, or settle in on the comfy low-slung sofas and armchairs scattered about the “Living Room.” Seasonal and classic cocktails are made with care, and include some very innovative creations, such as a celery-tinged gin drink topped with warm mustard foam.

Live piano music is played Monday to Friday nights starting at 8 pm.