Best Hotels in Berlin: voted by the public
Berlin enjoys the benefits of taking people by surprise. Today it has all but shed its reputation as a symbol of the Cold War and is now considered one of the most vibrant, progressive cities in Europe. And yet, it takes people to come and visit for them to truly believe that Berlin’s transformation is complete.
As a reflection of the city’s bourgeoning tourism industry, Berlin has undergone something of a hotel revolution since the dark days of east-west segregation. Since reunification, the area formerly known as East Berlin has been vying to catch up with its Western counterpart by embarking on an aggressive regeneration programme. As a consequence, former East Berlin is now home to some of the finest, most modern hotels in the city. Also helpful is the presence of some hugely important and popular landmarks in the east, which means that virtually every hotel in the vicinity is heralded for its superb location.
So 20 years after the fall of the notorious Berlin Wall, it seems a fitting time to take stock and assess how the city’s contemporary hotel scene has gone down with visitors. And what better way than to turn to the ever-reliable tripadvisor website? Here are the top-ten best reviewed hotels in Berlin:
Circus Hotel Berlin
Located north of the Mitte district on Rosenthaler Strasse, the 3-star Circus Hotel is the best-rated hotel in Berlin. It is described as an excellent base for exploring the city, with the U Bahn virtually on its doorstep and the S Bahn a short walk away. The hotel is also near to Berlin’s largest concentration of restaurants & bars.
Concorde Berlin
The 5-star Hotel Concorde Berlin, situated west of the city centre, rises high above the bustling Kurfurstendamm shopping district of Berlin. The V-shaped hotel is 100 metres from the impressive Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and 250 metres from the shores of the tree-lined Lietzensee Lake.
Melia Berlin
Situated in the heart of the city centre, the 4-star Melia Berlin is close to some of the city’s most popular attractions including Brandenburg Tor, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz, Reichstag and the Chancellery building.
Ritz-Carlton Berlin
Also boasting an extremely central location is the 5-star Ritz-Carlton Berlin, which overlooks the Potzdamer Platz, one of the major squares of Berlin. For history buffs, this hotel also includes an impressive memorial to World War II and the suffering endured by German Jews during the conflict.
Mercure Hotel & Residenz Berlin Checkpoint Charlie
As the name suggests, the 4-star Mercure Hotel & Residenz Berlin Checkpoint Charlie is ideally located for visits to one of Berlin’s most important historical landmarks, Checkpoint Charlie, which was the name given to a Berlin Wall crossing during the Cold War. This hotel can be found just south of the Mitte district.
Radisson Blu Hotel
Described as perfect for tourism, the 5-star Radisson Blu Hotel overlooks the River Spree and Berlin Cathedral in the city centre, and is just 100 metres from the Red Town Hall and 300 metres from Museum Island. A distinctive feature within the hotel is an impressive aquarium that resides in the lobby.
Johann Hotel
Located south of the city centre in the quiet and multi-cultural residential district of Kreusberg, the 3-star Johann Hotel would suit visitors looking to avoid the bustle of the centre, but with excellent transport links nearby.
Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie
The 4-star Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie is in the historic Mitte district close so most of the main attractions. One of Berlin’s best shopping streets, Friedrichstrasse, is just a few minutes away.
Schlosshotel Im Grunewald
Located south west of the city centre in the residential district of Grunewald, the 4-star Schlosshotel Im Grunewald is housed in an opulent mansion that dates back to 1914. This hotel is ideally located for business travellers needing to get to MesseBerlin, the city’s main exhibition centre.
Swissotel Berlin
Also south of the centre, though some wayfurther in, is the 5-star Swissotel Berlin which offers impressive views of the city, particularly from its on-site restaurant. This luxury hotel is located just off the fashionable Kurfuerstendamm, which offers some of the best shopping in Berlin.
Old Berlin Hotels
Happily, despite the dramatic facelift Berlin has undergone in the past 20 years, many of the city’s most famous and historical buildings still stand. The city has endured a troubled past, and several of these edifices, such as the Brandenberg Gate, remain as testimony to its plight.
Other buildings that remain a presence on the urban landscape include some of Berlin’s oldest hotels. Whilst they may lack the strategic significance of some of the city’s other landmarks, they still have a story to tell. If only walls could speak….
Here are three of Berlin’s most distinguished and important hotels:
Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin
Located in the city’s famous Kurfurstendamm shopping district, the Kempinski boasts the honour of being the first 5-star accommodation in Berlin to be rebuilt after World War II. Today it has retained many of its original features, in contrast to the contemporary slickness of today’s modern establishments.
The enduring popularity of the Kempinski is reflected in the 84% recommendation rate it currently scores on tripadvisor. Indeed, one such review suggests that anyone who wants to experience a post-WWII Berlin should come to visit this hotel. For history buffs, what better endorsement do you need?
Hotel Zoo
Another distinguished hotel in Berlin that goes back even further is the 4-star Hotel Zoo, which first opened its doors to the public in 1911. Located next door to what was once the legendary Café Kranzler in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, the hotel has managed to retain plenty of its original charm.
Today it boasts an old-style ambience and decor, with a creaky, musty atmosphere and old-fashioned furniture that harks back to a bygone era. Modern Berlin is evident in the hotel’s contemporary features which include a mezzanine-level lounge overlooking the Kurfuerstendamm.
Finally there is the 5-star Hotel de Rome, which dates all the way back to 1889. This lavish-but-compact hotel is housed in the former Central Bank of the old East Berlin and has been restored by Rocco Forte Hotels, the luxury hotel brand, into a truly luxurious establishment.
Many of the bank’s original details are now modern facilities, such as a former underground vault which has been transformed into a swimming pool.
About Berlin, Germany | What is on, Berlin hotels
This short break guide about Berlin, Germany will help you to make the most of your trip. Lists of what’s on in Berlin and recommended hotels will save you time when planning your city break.
About Berlin, Germany
On your next European vacation, you may just want to check out the third most visited destination in the continent – Berlin, Germany. This once divided city is now a hub of the liberal lifestyle. The city is greatly service oriented which attributes to its many business centers. Conversely, this metro is also filled with pleasurable attractions, an avant-garde art scene, a lively nightlife and is an enthusiastic center for culture, media and politics. Its historic heritage (from its Prussian days to the Third Reich to the fall of the wall to today’s open minded ideals) also makes it a sought out tourist attraction and a popular setting for film production. Berlin also brings in many youngsters because of its promising low cost of living, who will ultimately play a part in its ever expanding, energetic social scene. http://www.berlin.de/english/
What is on in Berlin in 2008
Our mini-guide to what’s on in Berlin lists the top events in 2008 in a handy Berlin Calendar format. If you take your short break in Berlin, Germany when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in Berlin.
January
Berlin Six Day Race
Cyclists, come one come all! Each January nearly 70,000 spectators converge on the Velodrom to watch cyclists pedal through numerous races during the Berlin Six Day Race series. The pedal power is so serious that the events run into the wee hours of the am, 3:00am to be exact! And for the little cyclists among us; Sunday is Family Day, complete with many kid-tastic events. Costs run from 5-52EUR and the races are on from Thursday – Saturday starting at 6:00pm and pedaling on through until 3:00am. Family Day offers more kid friendly hours from 10:00am – 6:30pm. http://www.sechstagerennen-berlin.de/ http://www.gegenbauer-ticketservice.de/
February
Going Underground
Playing into the innovative atmosphere of the city, Berlin’s Going Underground festival is a unique way to present short films to public viewers, whether they want them or not! Each February the underground rail system features fourteen short films on their novel TV screens for an entire week, making this fest easy to catch while on the go, literally! Audiences are then asked to vote for their favorite short film and the winning artist receives 3,000EUR and the prestige that goes along with it. The films play on the trains 24 hours a day and the cost for a one way ticket is between 2.10 – 2.70EUR. http://www.berliner-fenster.de/, http://www.interfilm.de/, http://www.goingunderground.de/
March
Spandau Spring Festival
The delightful Berlin suburb of Brauhaus Spandau plays host to a charming spring fest each year, entitled the Spandau Spring Festival. The fest is a combination of the best of both worlds for both adults and kiddies alike. Towering roller coasters, spook houses and speedy go-karts abound as do the rounds of German beer. To add to the festivals magic, a fireworks display goes off in the evenings for all to ogle. But the best part might just be the free entrance! The Spandau fest runs from February 2 – March 16, 2008. http://www.wollenschlaeger-berlin.de/
April
Verzaubert Queer Film Festival
Since the fall of the Berlin wall, the city has become increasingly open minded. The Verzaubert Queer Film Fest falls right into this category. It seeks to bring the gay and lesbian message to the people by making four city stops each year in April with fantastic cinema. The films explore issues of love and gender identity among other subjects that often show themselves in the gay and lesbian community. The show stops in Berlin from April 16 – 23. http://www.verzaubertfilmfest.com/
May
International Museums Day
All over the great country of Germany, museums take part in International Museums Day with special exhibitions that show the importance of museums to society and history itself. Nearly 6,000 museums participate in this stimulating event and a overwhelming amount of displays, shows, exhibits and lectures speak to the public and celebrate art and culture the world over.
June
Berlin Christopher Street DayNearly half a million people flood Berlin for Christopher Street Day, an event that signifies the higher tolerance and acceptance among the general public. A rally kicks off at 9:30am while a parade marches onward from Kufurstendamm to the Strasse des Juni. From there Siegesaule features bands and beer for a party that lasts from the afternoon well into the following morn. http://www.csd-berlin.de/
July
Berlin Festival
The Berlin Festival is the end all be all of German music festivals. While the main stage features rock and roll legends, the side stages come alive with the exciting play of European newcomers. Heck, you may even just catch the next generation Rolling Stones here! And for those who love to shake, you can slip into your dancing shoes and listen to the DJ spin tunes under the dance tent. Tickets range in price from 40 – 68EUR. http://www.berlinfestival.de/2007/
August
Hemp Parade
Dedicated to all things Hemp, the Berlin Hemp Parade seeks to pay homage to its open-armed citizens with cannabis education. The organizers don’t seek a pro-drug rally but rather want the parade to signal superior liberty by rooting for cannabis’ legalization. There are also stands filled to the brim with hemp products. The surprising variety of these products – with everything from shoes to ice cream – will leave you astounded enough that you might actually vote with the Hemp Parade’s majority in favor of cannabis! And if not, well there is a speaker’s corner where anyone is able to speak their mind, whether for or against it. http://www.hanfparade.de/
September
The Great Chariot Race
Ancient Rome comes to Berlin during this spirited festival. The Great Chariot Race features many fascinating history lessons in a very hands on way with nearly 200 gladiators and a chariot parade! This child friendly atmosphere also has pony rides, spear throwing for the public, chariot displays and music to keep it festive. The race itself has a presentation that is chock full of chariots, over one hundred horses and nearly double that in gladiators. Talk about stepping back in time! The fest is held each September and costs 9 – 16EUR to get in; children 12 and under are free. Hours run from 12:00pm – 6:00pm, plenty of time to soak up antiquity! http://www.luxevents.de/wagenrennen.com/
October
German Unity Day
Each October, the city of Berlin acknowledges the fateful day in 1989 when the wall separating East and West Germany came down. In the morning, the event starts with a fantastic display of art and culture at the Bradenburg Gate. Afterwards, the Reichstag holds a large street party where musicians and other live acts, like cabaret stars, perform for a massive audience into the evening hours. Unity Day also looks to celebrate all of the blessings and liberal pursuits that Berlin has been able to see since the wall came crumbling down. http://www.germany.info/
November
Berlin Fairy Tale Festival
Nearly 70,000 participants come out to be enchanted by the Berlin Fairy Tale Festival. The fest is a chance for children as well as adults to immerse themselves in the ancient German tradition of folklore. Many artists and authors come out to lend a hand in the telling of myths and mystic tales. The Fairy Tale fest is held in venues all around the city and the costs and hours vary to the location. http://www.maerchenland-ev.de/
December
Red Ribbons for Berlin
The Rote Schleifen fur Berlin, translated to Red Ribbons for Berlin, knows a thing or two about funding raising. On December 1, volunteers roam the city, handing out ribbons and relishing donations, vying to keep their spot as the top World Aids Day fundraiser in all of Europe. Other events include candlelighting and vigils for those that have fallen victim to this horrific illness as well as uplifting speeches by those who have overcome. There is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to help others in need. http://www.welt-aids-tag.de/
Recommended Berlin Hotels
Hotel review website TripAdvisor allows travelers to thoroughly assess Berlin hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst. The top 10 Berlin hotels recommended by review are:
1. Ritz-Carlton Berlin
2. Swissotel Berlin
3. Askanischer Hof
4. Mercure Hotel & Residenz Berlin
5. Moevenpick Hotel Berlin
6. Grand Hyatt Berlin
7. Marriot Hotel Berlin
8. Radisson SAS Hotel Berlin
9. Hotel Concorde Berlin
10. Regent Hotel Berlin