Hotel Berlin, Berlin ★★★★

Right in the centre of downtown Berlin, your hotel is situated just south of the sprawling 210 hectare Tiergarten Park, filled with green meadows, ponds, flower gardens and majestic monuments. The hotel is also surrounded by some of Berlin’s most famous sights such as Checkpoint Charlie; Postsdamer Platz, the city’s central square with its famous theatre; Kaufhaus des Westens, the largest department store in Europe; and the Zoologischer Garten, one of Europe’s oldest and biggest zoos.

From the outside, the hotel is chic and flashy, bearing its name in red neon and covered in fluorescent pink and orange lights. This place certainly makes a statement and wouldn’t look out of place on Las Vegas’ famous Strip. Step inside and everything goes a little space age futuristic with electronic signs welcoming you into the large reception area, brightly coloured lights on the ceiling and interactive projections on the floor.

Great for both families and couples, the Hotel Berlin, Berlin may have 701 rooms, but you’ll hardly notice, given the large spacious public areas and the friendly personalized service. Choose a standard room and you’ll settle into a stylish a cosy space dressed in natural colours of olive greens, slate and lavender designer chairs. Choose the premium room, and you’ll find yourself in a trendy room decorated in shades of grey with splashes of bright colours and walls reminiscent of Berlin’s famous graffiti. Funky, stylish and functional all at the same time, the rooms provide everything you need in order to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Why not settle into your new abode with a tea or coffee from the in-room stations, while browsing the map to decide where you will visit first?

Begin your day with one of the Hotel Berlin, Berlin’s famous buffet breakfasts, offering you an array of freshly baked rolls, croissants, cereals, fresh fruit, sweet cakes, cheeses and cold meats. They even offer special options for those on a gluten-free diet, diabetics and those who are lactose intolerant – meaning that everyone is kept happy.

Start your exploration of the city at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, located near the hotel. This is the only surviving city gate in Berlin and it was here that on November 9th 1989 that thousands of people climbed over the wall. Continue your history lesson at Checkpoint Charlie, the crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Architecture friends shouldn’t miss out on a stop to Gendarmenmarkt, also located near your hotel, where you can set your eyes up the site of Konzerthaus and the magnificent French and German Cathedrals. In winter this is where you’ll find the famous German Christmas market and ice rink, and in summer where you can enjoy outdoor performances or al fresco cafes.

Save the afternoon for a spot of shopping in the city’s best shopping districts, including Europe’s biggest department store – KaDeWe or take a stroll around Tiergarten and amble along the River Spree. And when your legs can take you no further, head back to the hotel to relax in the Bar Berlin and its attached Summer Garden – a perfect place for a stein of traditional German beer.

For meals, treat yourself to dinner at Restaurant Julius, an iconic Berlin Restaurant set up by hotelier Julius Sauter, which was seen as one of the best in the city during the 1960s. Today, it serves up contemporary, regional cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.

End your day with a relaxing session in the Finish sauna and sanarium to set you up for another day of sightseeing tomorrow.