Hotel Palace Berlin ★★★★★

It’s so easy to get to the Hotel Palace; straight from the airport to the Zoological Garten train station, then a 5-minute walk – I didn’t even bother to get a taxi. It has a bright and modern façade, set in a wide avenue with a tree-filled pedestrianised section down the middle, which feels open, airy and spacious. The lobby is bright and fresh, full of flowers and elegant artworks with some comfortable chesterfield sofas. The staff were top class, professional, helpful and courteous right from the start, and this welcoming attitude never varied throughout our stay.

My deluxe room was just perfect! Carpeted, soundproofed and with a generously sized work desk and Wi-Fi, there was all the peace I needed for work purposes, but also elegant furniture, mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities and a gorgeous bathroom to make me feel I was on a particularly pampered holiday as well! I loved the fact that I could make use of the gym, Jacuzzi and swimming pool so I could mix work with leisure any time of the day. We had arrived the evening before the book fair, and I met up with some colleagues for pre-dinner drinks in the beautifully named House of Gin. They stock about 150 different types of gin, and staff ask guests for their taste preferences before mixing up a custom-made cocktail on the spot. The bar is spectacular in design and furnishing, in a striking semi-circle and all very colourful and comfortable with live music and a super-sophisticated atmosphere, even for Berlin!

The sophisticated First Floor restaurant could have been in Paris, serving delicious but not old fashioned French haute cuisine and with a wonderful wine list. It’s been rated by gastronomical guides as one of the best in Germany, and you can see why. Next morning I was up bright and early, and loved the joggers’ table in the breakfast bar where you can grab a quick orange juice or piece of fruit before heading out. It even includes a ticket for jogging in the zoo nearby –a lovely touch, and a great start to the day. On my return I felt I had earned a more substantial breakfast from the marvellous buffet spread with lots of healthy options.

Heading home, a note to self went into the calendar: book a break in the Hotel Palace Berlin for a proper holiday, with time to make use of the fabulous spa and to rent a bike and go out exploring!