Fodor's Expert Review The Yard Hotel

Name: The Yard Hotel
Address: Alexandrinenstrasse 125, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Telephone: 030 25923890
Price range: $$

Alexandrinenstrasse 125, 10969 Berlin, Germany See on Map

Jennifer Ceaser

Though it’s set in hip and happening Kreuzberg, this boutique property feels quiet and secluded, with all of its 55 rooms looking out over a beautifully landscaped garden (aka the yard). Everything about this newly built hotel, which opened in summer 2016, is fresh and modern, from the minimalist design of the rooms, which feature light wood floors and large picture windows, to the open, airy restaurant and lobby lounge.

room

With contemporary neutral gray and deep green furnishings, wood floors, and clever built-ins, all rooms also feature window seats that overlook the garden. The top-level Exclusive Room offers a larger seating area. Coffee- and tea-makers, flat-screen TVs adjustable air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi come standard.

bathroom

The good-sized bathrooms have stone floors, rainforest showers and eco-friendly Anyah amenities.

lobby

Floor-to-ceiling windows keep things bright throughout the open-plan lobby, with multiple seating areas and a large, communal table in the center.

dining

The spacious bistro has two levels of seating, and serves freshly prepared small bites, salads and a limited number of main courses. There’s also a kids’ menu. The 24-hour snack bar makes up for the lack of a mini-bar in the rooms.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The restaurant is only open until 10 p.m.

drinking

Wine, beer and a short list of cocktails are served in the bistro area; in warm weather, you can enjoy them out on the garden terrace.

LOCATION

Getting Around

Located on the quiet side street Alexandrinenstraße, the hotel is a 6-minute walk to the U-Bahn Prinzenstraße station.

Restaurants

A historic, wood-beamed former customs house along the Landwehr canal is the idyllic setting for Altes Zollhaus (5-minute walk), which specializes in upscale, locally sourced German cuisine. Tucked behind a magnificent Wilhelminian façade, Riehmers (20-minute walk) is a romantic, candlelit spot with a small rotating menu of seasonal dishes.

Bars

The Limonadier (16-minute walk) is a classic cocktail bar that prides itself on using fresh, house-made ingredients for its bitters, juices and liqueurs. Sip Berlin craft beer inside a cavernous container space or outside in the beer garden at the super-hip BRLO (24-minute walk).

WHY WE LIKE IT

With a subtle Scandinavian-chic design that never feels pretentious, this warm, friendly boutique property is a welcome newcomer to the hotel-starved west Kreuzberg area. There’s not a bad view in the house; each room looks out over the tranquil landscaped garden, which also features a playground for the kiddies.