ackselhaus & bluehomeEditor's Pick

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Occupying a set of pristinely restored 19th-century townhouses on a quiet Prenzlauer Berg street, the Ackselhaus and Blue Home are exotic escapes in the heart of Berlin. We’re still dreaming of its water-filled courtyard, and sculpture-studded winter garden. The Ackselhaus and Blue Home share reception and common areas, but each offers a unique array of guestrooms. Ideal for visitors who hate cookie-cutter rooms and obvious locations, the hotels' surprisingly reasonable rates make their pleasures accessible to most.

Bali inspires the Blue Home’s spacious rooms and apartments. Whether you book a single, studio, apartment with kitchen, or a suite, expect to find Indonesian elements (white curtains draped above teak beds, bold oil paintings of orchids, wicker chairs) merged with high-tech comforts (contemporary light fixtures, flat-screen TVs, silkscreen wallpaper, shiny kitchen appliances). The best rooms have balconies overlooking the koi pond in the serene central courtyard. The stone-hued countertops and fixtures in the bathrooms complement the earthy rooms.

Meanwhile, rooms and apartments in the Ackselhaus look to the rest of the globe for inspiration: "Rome" drips with understated luxury, the "Salon" exudes British sportiness, and the "Honeymoon" is Frenchy-romantic. We loved an Asian-inspired apartment lined with dark paneling and decorated with objets d’art. Note that there is no elevator—instead, sisal-covered stairs lead to the rooms.

Start your morning with breakfast at Club del Mar. Lined with fish tanks and fish prints, it's one of the most elaborate breakfast rooms we’ve seen. Passersby who realize that this gorgeous spot is strictly for hotel guests look a little jealous. Also enviable, but hidden from sight, is the Indonesia-inspired courtyard in the Blue Home and the Ackselhaus' Italian-inspired garden. If you’re traveling sans computer, a single laptop in the lobby connects you to the outside world.

» Susan Buzzelli

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.