Soho House
What's so special
Located in the fashionable Mitte district, the Berlin outpost of Soho House offers a glamorous stay. A German feel blends with typical idiosyncrasies, such as the ping-pong table in reception.
How they rate it
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"Housed in a Bauhaus monolith", this two-year-old members' club with rooms offers "vintage decadence", says Vicky McGinlay in The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. There are "tarnished silver and floral Chesterfields in the lounge, and classic Roberts Radios with BBC presets in the bedrooms". But these British accessories are "married with Berlin industrial style (see the concrete-pillared lobby, with its Damien Hirst)". All in all, this hotel is "as seductive as Marlene Dietrich in top hat and tux". It was also voted the top European hotel in The Sunday Times Travel Magazine's 2011 Reader Awards.
The menu
The inhouse restaurant serves up fantastic dishes, including grilled sea bream or Irish cte de boeuf.
The cost
A double room costs from £112, room only. For more information, see www.sohohouseberlin.com.
Brandenburger Hof
What's so special
Located on a quiet, tree-dotted avenue in Charlottenburg, this hotel is ideal for anyone wanting a luxurious stay away from the bustle of central Berlin.
How they rate it
"The hotel oozes refined character and in a number of styles," says Paul Sullivan in The Daily Telegraph. "There's a whiff of Bauhaus about the place, but it also boasts classical elements, such as stucco ceilings and Doric columns, and contemporary features such as the modern sculptures that are dotted around." The library, wine cellar, cigar lounge and piano bar "enhance the sophisticated feel". All the rooms have high ceilings and are spacious. "Modern touches include beds on raised platforms, contemporary artwork and flatscreen TVs, while the wooden floors and French doors lend a classic touch."
The menu
The hotel restaurant, Die Quadriga, has a Michelin star and "has to be visited" to try the chef's "exquisite Nordic-influenced cuisine". The menu is seasonal but past options include veal with black salsify and pimento. There are also 950 wines on offer from the cellar.
The cost
Double rooms start from £275. Find out more at the website, www.brandenburger-hof.com.
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