Berlin is a nice city. Multicultural and artistic, Germany’s capital city is home to artists and creatives from around the world. A hub for freelancers, digital nomads and entrepreneurs, the city also boasts great museums, a vibrant nightlife and all kinds of fabulous cuisine. You could spend weeks (months!) in this city and not get bored.
While I didn’t like the city the first time I visited, after returning a few times, Berlin began to grow on me. I love the city now.
As the country’s biggest tourist draw, Berlin has plenty of hotels to choose from. And they really run the gamut. I’ve been in some weird ones and some that I definitely wouldn’t recommend.
So, to help you plan your trip, I think the best hotels in Berlin are:
1. Hotel Oderberger
Formerly a 19th-century public swimming pool building, the Hotel Oderberger is a beautiful retro-chic hotel that could be described as “accidentally Wes Anderson” (it’s quirky, symmetrical and vintage design style). A four-star property, this place boasts a host of amenities, including a cocktail bar and a sumptuous breakfast buffet. It is served in a former thermal power station and has healthy options like waffle bars, homemade pastries and smoothies.
The gorgeous historic swimming pool, with its vaulted stone ceiling, is still here, and you can even rent it out for a private after-hours stay. There is also a sauna which is perfect for those cold or rainy Berlin days.
The spacious rooms are warm and comfortable, with lots of character thanks to hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, subway tile details and restored original windows that let in plenty of natural light. Room amenities include flatscreen TVs, mini fridges, and electric kettles for coffee and tea (some rooms also offer full kitchens). Bathrooms are spacious, and offer walk-in rainfall showers, heated towel racks, and complimentary toiletries. I love that the bathroom doors are reused from the building’s bathhouse days. It’s a unique, historic place in a picturesque neighborhood filled with some of Berlin’s best restaurants and bars.
2. Hotel Johann
Located by a beautiful, leafy canal in Kreuzberg, this three-star boutique hotel offers daily yoga, a cozy lobby with a co-working area, and a sunny breakfast room where you can enjoy a daily buffet of fresh fruits and vegetables, Fairtrade coffee. , cold cuts, muesli and lots of fresh bread. If the weather is nice you can also eat outside in the inner courtyard.
I love that the rooms here are large, with high ceilings, large windows and wooden floors. All rooms come with extra-large flatscreen TVs and comfortable beds, and I especially like that the bathrooms have heated floors as well as large walk-in showers. Larger rooms come with desks, but I appreciate that single rooms are perfect for solo travelers on a budget.
I also love that the hotel also prioritizes sustainability. They generate almost all of their own power, have extensive water and energy conservation measures, and partner with local initiatives to save “unfinished” organic produce that can’t be sold in the grocery store but is perfectly fine to eat. It is a homely, family-run hotel that offers great value.
3. Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
Opened in 1907, this five-star hotel is one of Berlin’s poshest hotels. Located across the street from the Brandenburg Gate, it has all the style of an über-luxurious old-world hotel and has hosted many famous guests over the years, including Franklin Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin and Michael Jackson (who infamously gave his son Blanket the infant was held from the window here). There are several restaurants, including one with a Michelin star and another serving a sumptuous breakfast complete with caviar, champagne, fresh in-house pastries and more! There is also a pool and spa, although both are closed for renovations at the time of writing.
The elegant rooms and suites are spacious and comfortable, though I personally find the classic decor of fabric-lined walls and mahogany shelves to be a bit dated. Rooms have all the amenities you need with tea/coffee making facilities, desk, safe and flatscreen TV with Chromecast. The marble bathroom is also spacious, with a separate bathtub and walk-in shower as well as complimentary toiletries. Overall, this is a perfect choice for travelers who want a luxurious stay that is close to many major attractions.
4. Capri by Fraser
Located on Museum Island in the neighborhood of Mitte, this four-star apart-hotel offers bright and airy self-contained apartments perfect for longer stays. Each studio has a kitchenette, and there’s a 24/7 gym, laundromat, and restaurant that also serves a breakfast buffet every morning. Plus, the history buff in me loves that the building sits atop an archeological site, which you can see through the glass floor of the lobby!
All studios have a stylish and fun design with bright pops of colour. The kitchen includes a cooktop, microwave, sink, fridge and electric kettle (tea and coffee provided). As someone who always works on the road, I appreciate the large work desk, and the smart TV is convenient when you want to wind down. The bathroom is quite spacious and has an attractive design, with a walk-in shower with good water pressure (always important in my book). I think it’s an ideal choice for a long-term stayer who wants to be close to the museum.
5. Vienna House Simple
This three-star hotel is located in the heart of trendy Prenzlauer Berg, just a few steps from the tram and metro that will take you anywhere. If you’re working on the road, there’s a co-working space, as well as a 24/7 snack bar in the lobby for late-night munchies. In the morning, there is a continental breakfast with muesli, cold cuts, tons of baked goods and fresh juice, coffee and tea. Vienna House is also pet-friendly if you’re traveling with a furry friend.
The large rooms are bright and entertaining, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. I love that the colorful walls feature murals and other artwork by local artists. All rooms have comfortable beds with desks, large HDTVs with Chromecast, and headboard outlets and light sets. The bathroom is a bit on the side but features a walk-in shower with good water pressure. Overall, this is a good choice for budget-minded travelers who want something more than a no-frills two-star hotel.
6. 25 Hours Bikini Berlin
25 hours hugs in front of the city zoo and the whole place is jungle-themed (it really feels like a fun urban oasis here). You can try spotting the animals from the rooftop sauna or the aptly named Rooftop Monkey Bar (which has regular DJ nights and great breakfast in the mornings). There is also a leafy hammock lounge for hanging out and bike hire is available. The staff are really friendly and helpful, plus you’re right next to the S and U Bahn Zoologischer Garten so it’s easy to get around the city from here.
There are two categories of rooms: urban or jungle rooms. Urban rooms have views overlooking the city with an industrial chic design with exposed concrete ceilings. I’m partial to the Jungle Room, because it has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the zoo, hardwood floors, and wood-paneled walls (some Jungle Rooms even have hammocks). All rooms have free minibars and Bluetooth speakers, and larger rooms also come with free use of bikes. Bathrooms with moody forest-green tiles are sleek and luxurious, with rainfall shower heads and complimentary toiletries. It is one of the most unique hotels in the city.
7. Orania
This stylish five-star property in Kreuzberg is set within a restored Art Nouveau building from 1913. I really like that the whole place is leaning towards the style of the time. And, as a jazz fan, I love the regular (and free!) live jazz concerts by Berlin artists, set in intimate cocktail bars. The breakfast they serve is excellent (you can choose from a buffet or a la carte), and there is also a 24-hour gym.
A boutique hotel, there are just 41 comfortable rooms and suites, all elegantly decorated with hardwood floors, warm cream-colored walls, and red fabric headboards emblazoned with the hotel’s signature elephant logo. The sustainably made beds are truly comfortable, and all soundproofed rooms include a desk, flatscreen TV, a minibar, Nespresso machine, complimentary bottled water, plush bathrobes and slippers. Bathrooms have rain showers, heated towel racks and organic locally sourced toiletries (suites also have bathtubs). I really like this place. This is a great option for travelers looking for luxury in one of my favorite parts of town.
Berlin is a large metropolis with many hotels to choose from. Whether you want a budget-friendly option or a luxurious stay, choose one of the hotels above and you’ll have a great trip to Germany’s capital!
Book your trip to Berlin: logistical tips and tricks
Book your flight
to use Skyscanner To find cheap flights. They are my favorite search engine because they find websites and airlines worldwide so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book your accommodation
You can also book your hostel Hostelworld Because they have the largest inventory and the best deals. Use if you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel Booking.com Because they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
If you’re looking for more places to stay, here’s a list of my favorite hostels in Berlin.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I have had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer great service and value are:
Looking for the best companies to save money?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the things I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Need guidance?
Berlin has some interesting great tours. If you want to see all the main sights, book a bike tour with him Fat tire tours. They use expert local guides so you’ll learn a lot and have fun in the process!
Want more information about Berlin?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Berlin for even more planning tips!