Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Berlin is a cool city. Multicultural and artsy, Germany’s capital city is home to artists and creatives from all over the world. A hub for freelancers, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs, the city also boasts excellent museums, a boisterous nightlife, and every type of cuisine imaginable. You could spend weeks (months!) in this city and not get bored.
While I didn’t love the city when I first visited, after returning a few times, Berlin began to grow on me. I love the city now.
As the biggest tourist draw in the country, Berlin has a lot of hotels to choose from. And they really run the gamut. I’ve stayed in some fantastic ones and some that I definitely wouldn’t recommend.
So, to help you in planning your trip, these are what I think are the best hotels in Berlin:
1. Hotel Oderberger
Formerly a 19th-century public swimming pool building, Hotel Oderberger is a lovely retro-chic hotel that could be described as “accidentally Wes Anderson” (its whimsical, symmetrical, and has a vintage design style). A four-star property, this place has a lot of amenities, including a cocktail bar and fantastic breakfast buffet. It’s served in a former thermal power station and boasts a waffle bar, homemade pastries, and healthy options like smoothies.
The gorgeous historic swimming pool, with its vaulted stone ceilings, is still here, and you can even rent it out for a private after-hours dip. There’s also a sauna which is perfect for those cold or rainy Berlin days.
The spacious rooms are cozy and comfortable, with a lot of character thanks to the hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, subway tile detailing, and restored original windows that let in a lot of natural light. In-room amenities include a flatscreen TV, mini fridge, and an electric kettle for coffee and tea (some rooms even offer a full kitchenette). The bathrooms are sizable, and offer walk-in rainfall showers, heated towel racks, and complimentary toiletries. I like that the bathroom doors are reused from the building’s bathhouse days. It’s a unique, historic place in a picturesque neighborhood filled with some of Berlin’s best restaurants and bars.
2. Hotel Johann
Situated by the lovely, leafy canal in Kreuzberg, this three-star boutique hotel offers daily yoga, a comfy lobby with a co-working area, and a sunny breakfast room where you can enjoy a daily buffet of fresh fruits and veggies, fairtrade coffee, cold cuts, muesli, and lots of fresh bread. You can even eat outside in the inner courtyard if the weather is nice.
I like that the rooms here are big, with high ceilings, large windows, and wooden floors. All rooms come with extra-large flatscreen TVs and comfy beds, and I especially love that the bathrooms have heated floors as well as large walk-in showers. Larger rooms come with a desk, but I appreciate that there are single rooms perfect for solo travelers on a budget.
I also like that the hotel also prioritizes sustainability. They generate almost all their own power, have extensive water and energy savings measures in place, and partner with a local initiative to save “imperfect” organic produce that can’t be sold in a grocery store but is still perfectly good to eat. It’s a homey, family-run hotel that offers a lot of value.
3. Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
Opened in 1907, this five-star hotel is one of the poshest in Berlin. Located right across the street from the Brandenburg Gate, it has all the style of an über-luxurious Old-World hotel and has hosted many famous guests over the years, including Franklin Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, and Michael Jackson (who infamously held his infant son, Blanket, out of a window here). There are several restaurants, including one with a Michelin star and another that offers an opulent breakfast buffet complete with caviar, champagne, fresh in-house pastries, and much more! There’s also a pool and spa, though at the time of writing both are closed for renovations.
The stately rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, though I personally think the classic décor of fabric-lined walls and mahogany shelving feels a bit dated. The rooms have all the amenities you’d need though, with tea/coffee making facilities, a desk, safe, and flatscreen TVs with Chromecast. The marble bathrooms are huge too, with a separate bathtub and walk-in shower as well as complimentary toiletries. Overall, this is the perfect choice for travelers who want a luxurious stay that’s close to a lot of main sights.
4. Capri by Fraser
Located right on Museum Island in the neighborhood of Mitte, this four-star apart-hotel offers bright and airy self-contained apartments that are perfect for longer stays. Every studio has a kitchenette, and there’s a 24/7 gym, laundromat, and restaurant that serves a breakfast buffet every morning too. Plus, the history nerd in me loves that the building is set atop an archaeological site, which you can see through the glass on the lobby floor!
All the studios have a stylish and fun design, with bright pops of color. The kitchenette includes a cooktop, microwave, sink, fridge, and electric kettle (tea and coffee is provided). As someone who’s always working on the road, I appreciate the large work desks, and the smart TVs are convenient for when you want to wind down. The bathrooms are quite spacious and have a sleek design, with walk-in showers that have nice water pressure (always important in my book). I think it’s the ideal choice for someone staying longer-term who wants to be near the museums.
5. Vienna House Easy
This three-star hotel is located in the heart of trendy Prenzlauer Berg, just a few steps from the tram and metro that will take you anywhere else you need to go. If you’re working on the road, there’s a co-working space, as well as a 24/7 snack shop in the lobby for those late-night munchies. In the morning, there’s a continental breakfast with muesli, cold cuts, tons of baked goods, and fresh juice, coffee, and tea. Vienna House is pet-friendly too if you’re traveling with a furry friend.
The large rooms are bright and fun, with big windows that let in a lot of natural light. I like that the colorful walls feature murals and other artwork by local artists. All rooms have a desk, a large HDTV with Chromecast, and comfortable beds with an outlet and light set right in the headboard. The bathrooms are a bit on the small side but feature walk-in showers with good water pressure. Overall, this is a good choice for budget-minded travelers who want something more than a no-frills two-star hotel.
6. 25Hours Bikini Berlin
25 Hours is hugged up against the city zoo and the entire place is jungle-themed (it really feels like a fun urban oasis here). You can try to spot animals from the rooftop sauna or the appropriately named rooftop Monkey Bar (which has regular DJ nights and serves an excellent breakfast in the mornings). There’s also a leafy hammock lounge to hang out in and bike rentals available. The staff is really friendly and helpful, plus you’re right next to the S and U Bahn Zoologischer Garten so it’s easy to get around the city from here.
There are two categories of rooms here: urban or jungle rooms. Urban rooms have views overlooking the city with an industrial chic design that features exposed concrete ceilings. I’m partial to the jungle rooms, as they have floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the zoo, hardwood floors, and wood-paneled walls (some jungle rooms even have hammocks). All rooms feature free minibars and Bluetooth speakers, and large rooms even come with free use of a bike. The moody forest-green tiled bathrooms are sleek and luxurious, featuring rainfall shower heads and complimentary toiletries. It’s one of the more unique hotels in the city.
7. Orania
This stylish five-star property in edgy Kreuzberg is set inside a restored Art Nouveau building from 1913. I really like that the entire place leans into the style of that time. And, as a jazz fan, I love the regular (and free!) live jazz concerts by Berlin artists, set right in the intimate cocktail bar. The breakfast they serve is excellent (you can choose from a buffet or a la carte), and there’s a 24-hour gym too.
A boutique hotel, there are just 41 comfortable rooms and suites here, all of which are elegantly decorated with hardwood floors, warm cream-colored walls, and rich red fabric headboards emblazoned with the hotel’s signature elephant logo. The sustainably-made beds are really comfy, and all of the soundproofed rooms include a desk, flatscreen TV, a minibar, Nespresso machine, complimentary bottled water, plush bathrobes, and slippers. The bathrooms have a rain shower, heated towel racks, and organic locally sourced toiletries (suites have a bathtub too). I really like this place. It’s a great option for travelers looking for luxury in one of my favorite parts of town.
Berlin is a sprawling metropolis with a ton of hotels to choose from. Whether you want a budget-friendly option or to splash out on a luxurious stay, choose one of the hotels above and you’ll have a great trip to Germany’s capital!
Book Your Trip to Berlin: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
If you’re looking for more places to stay, here is a list of my favorite hostels in Berlin.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want a Guide?
Berlin has some interesting great tours. If you want to see all the main sights, book a bike tour with Fat Tire Tours. They use expert local guides so you’ll learn a lot and have fun in the process!
Want More Information on Berlin?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Berlin for even more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – Hotel Oderberger, 3 – Hotel Johann, 4 – Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, 5 – Capri by Fraser, 6 – Vienna House Easy, 7 – 25Hours Bikini Berlin, 8 – Orania
The post The 7 Best Hotels in Berlin appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
https://ift.tt/JkSj87E July 11, 2024 at 05:30PM
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