Berlin Smart Splurges

Located just off Unter den Linden in what was until 1945 the Dresden Bank building, Hotel de Rome retains many of the old bank’s striking, ornate architectural details. There are only 146 rooms; 72 are classic rooms and the rest are suites of varying degrees. All rooms are spacious, though the décor is a little less grand than the marble-clad public areas. But there’s still plenty to enjoy: The views from the terrace are commanding, and the Bebel Bar has become one of Berlin’s preferred hotspots. Don’t miss the pool in the basement spa (it used to be the bank’s old vault).

2008 SMART LUXURY WINNER 
A World-Class Hotel With an Artistic Soul

Nineteen years after German reunification, Berlin still has the feel of a city on the verge: Its art scene rivals that of London, but an average person can walk into a gallery here and actually afford to buy a painting. The city’s innovative restaurants could be the envy of Paris, but the reasonable prices are distinctly un-Left Bank. The same holds true for accommodations. Since the ’90s, a number of world-class hotels have opened or been refurbished, yet it is still possible to find a room at prices that are dramatically lower than in either Paris or London.

Among the best is Hotel de Rome, opened in 2006 by Rocco Forte Collection in an ornate former bank building that was originally constructed in 1889 by architect Ludwig Helm. While not the city’s most opulent hotel (it’s a toss-up between the Ritz-Carlton or the Adlon), we believe it best encapsulates the elements that currently make Berlin the coolest city in Europe. Interior designer Tommaso Ziffer complemented the old-world building with Art Deco and modern touches.

The hotel is located in the Mitte district, where politics, commerce, and art have made a rare happy alliance. Rooms are generously sized, marble columns line the downstairs swimming pool located in the bank’s old vault, and the roof terrace has views of the State Opera House and the TV Tower. Hotel de Rome takes its name from a grand Berlin hotel that closed in 1910 (the city’s first with running water). Today, walking up to the imposing entrance, one feels firsthand Germany’s past and future. Best season for value: fall/winter.

Great Value Alternative: Also in Mitte, Lux 11 provides simple, chic condos with kitchenettes. From $215/night; www.lux-eleven.com

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Schlosshotel lies just outside the center of town in a beautiful late-Baroque home in the fancy Grunewald neighborhood. If most of Berlin’s hot hotels are boutique, with minimalist modern design, this one is stately and old-fashioned, with red wallpapered walls adorned with old portraits, heavy wood-paneled doors, sweeping spiral staircases, and heavy curtains. The 54 rooms are just as sumptuous, with elaborate headboards, fine linens, and large bathrooms. There are beautiful gardens surrounding the property, and a Roman-style spa with a swimming pool in the basement. Why such careful attention to detail? Karl Lagerfeld, the fashion designer known for his ornate, lush style, was the artistic director for the hotel’s 1994 renovation.

Enjoy an hour-long look at Berlin from the Spree River, or splurge on a four-hour tour. Each boat has comfortable seats and table service.

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Berlin-based fashionista Antonia Goy creates magic in her tiny showroom – reversible coats that can be worn upside-down as capes, screen-printed silks, and halter dresses that combine pinstripes and gingham to good effect. The designer herself is a cheerful part of the shopping fun.

The Kaufhauf des Westens (KaDeWe) department store provides all the European high-end brands (Prada, Hugo Boss, Guerlain) along with practical delights like fine fountain pens and writing paper. Follow your nose through the astonishing selection of perfumes on the ground floor, then graze in the gourmet paradise found in the 6th-floor food hall.

This chic watering hole is named after celebrated Berlin native Helmut Newton, whose exquisite portraits of nudes grace the walls. While art is certainly eye catching, the sleek leather lounge chairs and green marble counters are even more alluring, inviting guests to strike distinguished poses as they sip on fine whiskey (try the award-winning 30-year Glenfiddich) and puff a Cuban cigar.

Experience the best of Berlin on a bespoke six-day tour of the city. During your stay at one of Berlin’s five-star hotels, expert guides will escort you to sites, museums, and special-interest lectures. It’s not cheap, but it’s an excellent value considering it includes the hotel, local transportation, itinerary planning, admission fees, and access to exclusive restaurants and ev

Honored with two Michelin stars for the second year in a row (making it the only...more