"Opened in 2014, the 25hours Hotel Bikini has injected some much-needed "Ost-side" chic into the West Berlin hotel scene. Being situated right next to the city’s main zoo, which houses the most animals of zoos in Germany , has given the hotel not only some interesting views but also a neat conceptual theme for German designer Werner Aisslinger. The interior blends a slew of funky furnishings—such as fur-lined hammocks, Vitra hanging chairs, and Moroso-esque sofas—with quirky touches like exposed concrete and bicycles stuck to the walls, and surrounds it all with an abundance of tropical plant life. Aisslinger’s playful approach informs the rooms, too, which are inventive and smart. They are split between "Jungle," which look over the zoo’s animal enclosures, and "Urban," which face out across Breitscheidplatz and the World War II-damaged Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The rooms are found along deliberately darkened corridors illuminated only by rows of glowing room numbers."

"Run by the famous Spanish shoe brand, Casa Camper is a stylish boutique hotel neatly situated in the middle of Mitte’s hip fashion and culture district. Designed by Jordi Tió and Fernando Amat—the founder of Barcelona ’s iconic design store Vinçon—the devilishly good-looking interior is defined by clean lines and striking furniture set against rust-red walls. The rooms are deliberately minimal, with wooden floors and slick designer furnishings, but are decidedly comfortable and include eco-friendly touches such as water-recycling showers. Instead of an in-room minibar concept, the hotel offers a 24-hour buffet that is free for guests. Plus, the hotel's prime location ensures easy access to the swanky drinking, dining, and shopping options in the neighborhood."

"The Circus Hotel,the more upscale sister establishment to the renowned Circus Hostel across the street, combines this bustling location with a style and service that gently impress rather than being in-your-face. The 60 colorful rooms—the color palettes include sky blues and lime greens—have vintage decor, dark oak floors, and quirky touches like mismatched photos on the walls. Following a comprehensive sustainability policy, the hotel eschews minibars (to save energy), and every room is stocked with shampoo and shower gel miniatures by a local, organic manufacturer. Reception can also provide iPods loaded with Berlin music, and arrange bike and Segway rentals. An all-you-can-eat buffet at the Circus Café, coffee and snacks from the hotel’s Commonground restaurant, and an on-site microbrewery mean you’ll never go without great food and drink. Guests need only step out the front door to be right in the thick of the city; those who wish to escape and relax can check out the charming garden courtyard."

"The Hotel Adlon Kempinski undoubtedly boasts the most distinguished location in the city—right on historic Pariser Platz, opposite the Brandenburg Gate. The original incarnation opened in 1907 with the blessing of none other than Kaiser Wilhelm II. Despite playing host to such illustrious guests as Tsar Nicholas II, Albert Einstein, and Franklin Roosevelt, the building was almost destroyed after World War II. A new hotel was eventually opened in 1997 and continues to draw celebrities, politicians, and the occasional aristocrat—in 2002, it was here that Michael Jackson notoriously dangled his nine-month-old son out the window. Needless to say, the hotel is the last word in stately—if somewhat conservative—luxury, as heralded by its glamorous, balconied lobby, which greets guests with the sounds of live piano and a trickling fountain. The sumptuous rooms come with marble bathrooms, full-size work desks, and entertainment centers; the three restaurants include the two-Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, serving classic European dishes such as braised shoulder of lamb (there’s a four-week waitlist for reservations, so plan accordingly). A luxury spa and a range of boutiques offering everything from fine wines to jewelry to porcelain are also on-site."

"Set in the former headquarters of a 19th-century bank, Hotel de Rome forms a major part of Bebelplatz, the historic square best known as the site of the Nazis' infamous book burning in 1933. Across from the stately Opera House and the equally handsome Humboldt University, the hotel has retained the bank’s neoclassical exterior. Parts of the interior are original, too, most notably an elegant staircase that winds up to the fourth floor (the first three floors are also original), and the former bank vault, which has been transformed into a spa that is accessed via the vault's original steel door. The high-ceilinged guestrooms and suites are suitably sumptuous, with marble in the bathroom and furnishings of mahogany; the color palettes, however, were devised by designers Olga Polizzi and Tommaso Ziffer and are ultra-contemporary. The hotel also has a swanky restaurant, a popular cocktail bar, and a rooftop patio with splendid views of Bebelplatz and the city beyond."

"A short hop from the looming socialist architecture of Alexanderplatz in the heart of Berlin-Mitte, this discreet luxury hotel complex is ensconced within a former Communist KGB office. Not that there’s anything remotely "Ost" about the bright, modern apartments and suites. Decorated with a minimalist, all-white aesthetic and equipped with writing desks, open bathrooms with rain showers, and fully fitted kitchenettes, they’re more catwalk than comrade. The accommodations are all apartments and suites rather than rooms, ranging from 30 square meters to a whopping 160 square meters."

"The Michelberger,a boutique hotel with an accessible and friendly “backpacker” feel, appeals to a growing market of budget-conscious yet style-savvy travelers. Set in a former factory, the 111-room hotel is a breezy and relaxed place that features tongue-in-cheek details and rough-around-the-edges charm that somehow feels very Berlin . The funky bar/lounge is right next to reception and has lampshades fashioned from the pages of old books. It's extremely popular with locals, thanks to a considered lineup of DJs and bands. The spacious courtyard doubles as an event and concert space. The rooms are similarly quirky, decorated with random family photos unearthed at flea markets, provocative glass-walled bathrooms in shared Cosy rooms (designed for solo travelers and in-love couples), saunas in the self-contained Hideout suites, and wallpaper that veers from the kitsch to the cutting-edge (the hotel has an in-house design studio)."

"With an ever-lengthening list of honors, including a Four-Star Award from Forbes in 2017, Berlin ’s five-star Regent isn’t short of an official accolade or two—and it’s easy to see why. With Biedermeier furniture and dramatic chandeliers in the public areas, and antique desks and marble bathrooms in the rooms, the hotel blends sumptuous luxury with the upscale refinement you'd expect to find on regal Gendarmenmarkt, home to the historic Konzerthaus. Service throughout is as professionally polished as the classic brass concierge trolleys, but despite the hotel's traditional feel, it does offer modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and digital entertainment stations. The hotel's flagship restaurant, Fischers Fritz, is renowned for its fresh fish dishes and is generally regarded as one of the city’s finest eateries."

"An enviable location in the quietly upscale embassy quarter on the edge of sprawling Tiergarten Park is only part of SO BerlinDas Stue’s appeal. Occupying a graceful, gray-stone 1930s building that once housed the Danish embassy, the hotelfeatures soothing, sophisticated interiors by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola, who decorated the public areas with animal sculptures—a reference to the neighboring zoo—and colorful, comfortable furnishings. Two original travertine staircases lead up to the 78 rooms and suites, which offer a blend of modern conveniences (rain showers, HD entertainment systems, and iMacs in each room) and considered design touches (black-and-white fashion photographs, hardwood floors, sliding walls, handle-less cupboards), plus views of either the park or the zoo. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s glamorous work and relaxation areas—some with libraries of books on art and design, fashion, and architecture—as well as a spa offering holistic Susanne Kaufmann treatments, and a fitness center with an indoor swimming pool and Finnish sauna. The new staff uniforms come from Viktor & Rolf. Dining options include a chic bar serving light bites (and live music every other Friday); The Casual, offering all-day shareable plates both indoors and out; and the Michelin-starred, Mediterranean-accented Cinco from chef Paco Pérez. A newer wing, designed by Axthelm Architects, features rooms with more direct views of the zoo—which hotel guests can access via the terrace’s exclusive private entrance."

"Looming over one of central Berlin’ s most vibrant intersections, this restored Bauhaus building with its distinctive 1920s curved facade was transformed in 2010 into the Berlin outpost of the glamorous Soho House hotel and private members brand. The building has heaps of history, having started as a Jewish-owned department store before being taken over by the Nazis and then occupied by the Communist regime for archival purposes. Today, it’s one of Mitte’s foremost havens of hip, offering quirkily decorated rooms that mix vintage with contemporary design tropes—think Marshall speakers and old-school record players, floral armchairs, and art deco bathtubs. The lofts are even more astonishing, both for their capacious size and their industrial-chic aesthetic—some come with grand pianos and foosball tables. The hotel also has a rooftop pool and adjacent bar with views of Alexanderplatz, a concept retail area, a private cinema and library room with a bar that hosts occasional events open to the public, an in-house restaurant, and a Cowshed spa that’s a popular destination in its own right."

"Although it only opened at the beginning of 2013, this 31-floor, limestone-lined skyscraper hotel has already become one of City West’s 5-star hot spots. Rising dramatically above the historic Zoologischer Garten district, it’s a statement in every sense. Designed by German architect Professor Christoph Mäckler, the hotel’s architectural boldness is matched by its art deco interiors: There are chandeliers and barrel-vaulted ceilings in the main entrance (a nod to the New York City Waldorf), and the rooms are clad in warm-hued woods, soft leather, and polished marble. Since each room has at least one glass wall, they all offer exceptional views (except, perhaps, for the few that face the inner courtyard); the higher you go, the better the experience gets. The hotel also benefits from a relaxed seasonal Mediterranean restaurant, a handsome café-bar, and a high-end spa."