with a casual style of it’s own, and the cost of doing things here felt a bit less then other major European cities. The nightlife is of course legendary, and with so many recent and not so recent landmarks, there are many sites to see all around the city. The people of Berlin rides bikes everywhere, and it is a great way to get around, and even get lost in a new neighborhood. The food offers greater variety than most German cities, which may be a relief to many, myself included. Getting there is the biggest challenge with such an antiquated airport system, so a stopover may not be that easy or cheap. I enjoyed my first time in Berlin, and hopefully I will be able to expand this soon on my next trip. Fun place to go.
Now that BER Brandburg Airport is finally open, flying into Berlin is a bit more modern. though many will miss the convient location to the main city of TXL Tegel Airport
Tiergarten
Size: 78 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary
Previously the Design Hotel Das Stue
Tucked at the edge of the leafy Tiergarten and close to all the hot spots, SO/ Berlin Das Stue creates a luxury lifestyle ambiance in its 78 rooms and suites, which are among the city’s largest. Inside, animal motifs give a tip of the hat to the Berlin Zoo, next door. Susanne Kaufmann’s eponymous spa is an organic oasis. At The Casual Restaurant, every meal carries the artful signature of head chef Rico Kägebein, who combines regional products of high quality with spices from the entire Mediterranean, blended to simple but expressive modern dishes.
I AM A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Berlin-Kreuzberg
Size: 41 rooms and suites
Style: Eclectic, Contemporary
Sister Property of SCHLOSS ELMAU.
Stay in the thriving heart of the city at Orania.Berlin, a beautifully reimagined boutique hotel housed in a legendary art nouveau building. Enter off Oranienplatz, greeted by a huge log fire and art that embraces the hotel’s rich history. Upstairs, 41 charming guest rooms await, with cozy touches and warm palettes. The stage in the restaurant and bar area hosts daily concerts – often jazz, in homage to the Oranienpalast Café, which occupied this spot during the Roaring Twenties. The chef and his team create a superb menu – favorites include the famous, four-course Peking duck experience.
I AM A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Mitte
Size: 145 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary Classic & Lively
Year Opened: 2006
Located in a historic, beautifully restored 1889 bank building, Hotel de Rome offers a combination of stylish design and personalized service. With only 145 rooms and suites and an incomparable location on Bebelplatz, it is a true architectural gem in the heart of Berlin. CHIARO Restaurant celebrates Hotel de Rome’s rich heritage through Italian specialties refined with Japanese umami. De Rome Spa is housed in the former bank vault with a fully equipped gym, and wide range of beauty treatments by Irene Forte Skincare.
I AM A ROCCO FORTE PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Charlottenburg
Size: 84 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary Classic & Lively
An absolutely charming hotel. And I would have no problem making this my standard hotel for when I come to Berlin in the future.
Going back to 1913, the hotel now known as Roomers Berlin Steinplatz has always had a glamorous reputation, counting Vladimir Nabokov and Brigitte Bardot (separately, unless there’s a great story we don’t know about) among its famous guests. One hundred years later, the Art Nouveau landmark reopened as a boutique hotel with corporate backing — it’s a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The sleek twenties-inspired hotel is one of a few properties prompting visitors to venture outside the Mitte and book a room in a comparatively residential but up-and-coming West Berlin neighborhood like Charlottenburg.
PART OF MY MARRIOTT PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
Mitte
Size: 93 rooms and suites
Style: Modern Design & Lively
From the exterior, it might look a bit more traditional than what you’d expect from a boutique hotel in the former East Berlin, but hotels like Château Royal are a big part of what makes this city perennially hip, and not just fleetingly fashionable. It’s made from a pair of historic buildings in Mitte, one from the mid-19th century and another from the early 20th, and its interiors are inspired by both eras, featuring herringbone parquet floors, handmade tiles, and other classic touches.
It’s not strictly a retro experience, of course. One of Château Royal’s founders is a longtime fixture on the Berlin contemporary art scene, and each of the hotel’s 93 rooms and suites contains a unique artwork by a different contemporary artist, working in media ranging from painting and photography to installation and even performance. And art aside, the rooms and suites are visually striking while also feeling warm and organic; high-tech comforts like smart televisions are carefully hidden from view when not in use.
PART OF MY MICHELIN PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
near Checkpoint Charlie
I have had excellent dining experiences here, though it may be a bit sweet in flavoring to some diners.
Restaurant Tim Raue, awarded with two Michelin stars and five black Gault&Millau hoods, as well as #26 on the 50th Best list, presents an Asian inspired cuisine, which can be best described as a combination of Japanese product perfection, Thai flavors and the Chinese kitchen philosophy. Chef Tim Raue only serves dishes that release energy and joie de vivre. Owner Marie-Anne Wild and her team welcome guests in a modern ambiance that features design classics, such as Eames chair from Vitra, ASA porcelain and Zwiesel glassware.
2025 #58
2024 #30
2023 #40
2022 #26
2021 #31
2020 #31
GO TO ► Restaurant Tim Raue website
GO TO ► Restaurant Tim Raue Michelin review
Berliner Fernsehturm
Berlin’s iconic TV Tower has welcomed Sphere Tim Raue, a new revolving restaurant by two-star chef Tim Raue. Located 680 feet above ground, it offers Berlin-Brandenburg cuisine with regional ingredients and panoramic 360° city views. The venue reopened in June, after major renovations, including a brand-new kitchen.
GO TO ► Sphere Tim Raue website
Chef: Micha Schäfer
near Checkpoint Charlie
This restaurant on Friedrichstraße may look unassuming but it has a unique philosophy. Proprietor and sommelier Billy Wagner and head chef Micha Schäfer prize the ingredients and the way they are sourced above all else. It goes without saying, then, that they use only the finest seasonal produce – from the region, of course. They even make their own butter. They may have adapted their menu from 10 reduced-portion courses to six slightly larger courses (eg haricot beans, lovage, Heggelbach cheese or lamb, leek, potato), but they remain true to their sustainable concept. The chefs are happy to talk you through their sophisticated dishes, whether at your table or the counter by the open kitchen – these seats are in particularly high demand, by the way! The set menu is accompanied by extremely interesting wines, beers and distillates. Tip: Come Tue-Thu for a more inexpensive meal.
2025 #59
2023 #45
2022 #17
2024 #43
GO TO ► Nobelhart & Schmutzig website
GO TO ► Nobelhart & Schmutzig Michelin review
Chef: Marco Müller
Chausseestraße 8, Berlin, 10115
A wonderful “journey” courtesy of Marco Müller’s “Inspiration” tasting menu, over the course of which he applies his own clear culinary style to skilfully build a narrative arc. The pleasant team will explain the ideas behind the dishes in a relaxed and informal way and are happy to answer questions. The menu features terrific ingredients such as Wagyu beef from Germany, the distinctive flavour of which is in a class of its own, and squid (an invasive species from the North Sea). From rabbit tartare or dry-aged carp, some of the dishes here are sure to surprise even experienced foodies at times – in an absolutely positive way! It is remarkable how the best products are showcased here while retaining their authenticity – everything looks so effortless and yet is full of complexity. In summer, the best place to sit is on the small but inviting terrace. If you are in Berlin, don’t miss the opportunity to try this cuisine!
GO TO ► Rutz website
GO TO ► Rutz Michelin review
Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin
Totally delicious turkish street food, and worth the wait…. the line starts at 10am. And pretty much authentic, though I am no great expert. Untouched by butter or pork, so un-German!
Some of the basic sights:
A hot spot for selfie-taking tourists, and a few funky museums make this a fun stop on your way to Tim Raue for dinner.
A good place to start for a tourist hot spot. Close by is the Memorial to the Holocaust Victims of Europe and a stroll through Tier Garten makes for a lovely afternoon.
One of the many museums and galleries in the Museum Island area… though small and simple this was on of my favorites.
Go early, and gets crowded quite easily due to it’s small size, but worth a look. The interior is pure 1960’s and has some beautiful features. Oh, and the view is pretty good too.
… and not so basic:
Have a 1 or 2 hour tour of Berlin in a Go Cart! Can’t imagine this happening in Paris or London, and everyone was having a total hoot motoring around Berlin.
GO TO ► Hot Rod City Tour website
Former military airport now a park, museum & events space, with several themed guided tours. But check the times for the tours, a rather odd schedule for the English Tours. But walking along the old abandoned airfields and runways is eeire and lovely at the same time. And that this open space hasn’t been filled with buildings, shopping arcade and housing is one of the treasures that makes Berlin, Berlin.
GO TO ► Flughafen Tempelhof website
Hardenbergstraße 4-5, 10623 Berlin
Love this store! There are several of these throughout Germany. The MUJI of Germany. Clean, modern and reasonably priced German clothing and household goods.
GO TO ► Manufactum Warenhaus website
Münzstraße 5, 10178 Berlin
Isn’t it about time you got a great pair of frames!
GO TO ► ic! Berlin Flagship website
The flea market on Straße des 17. Juni is a Berlin original. Founded in 1978, it is the oldest flea market in the city. It is well worth browsing here: amidst the selection of junk there are also genuine collectibles with the value of rarities. You can also find dealers of the big, old farmer cabinets, and fine porcelain from way back when. An arts and crafts market has been connected to the market since 1988, with hand-knitted items, wooden toys, ceramic articles, and much more.
GO TO ► Berlin Flea Markets info website
► VIRTUOSO: Berlin Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Berlin Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Berlin.
► SimOptions – Orange Holiday Europe
Orange Holiday Europe eSim is one of the best options for European travellers with coverage in 30 EU countries.
► Hippocket WiFi
My favorite Pocket WiFi service in Europe.
Bavaria General Information Page
Germany General Information Page
or leave a comment below
page updated: July 2025
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being originally published.
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