Artist Hotel RiversideEditor's Pick

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Va-va-voom! The Artist Riverside Mitte (over)compensates for its drab exterior, a concrete monster on Friedrichstrasse in central Mitte. Dripping with gold, yellow, red, glitter, crystal, and stained glass (and with a few plaster sculptures thrown in), the décor dreamt up by owner Uwe Buttgereit isn’t what you’d call minimalistic. But don’t let the Las Vegas act fool you. Apart from its five deluxe suites, a practical tourist hotel hides just below the glitzy surface.

Once an apartment building and a car showroom, the hotel has a decidedly offbeat layout. Clustered in the front of the building, the glam, multi-room suites have panoramic views, mirrored windows, waterbeds, and gilded bathtubs. Hidden behind the reception desk, a small elevator from the building’s apartment days leads to warren-like hallways lined with singles and doubles in four price categories, from budget to deluxe.

Rooms sport peach walls adorned with swirling Art Noveau stencils, red carpets and curtains, yellow bedspreads, and old-fashioned lamps. The spacious bathrooms boast gilt-framed mirrors. Factors like size, views (of the Spree, Friedrich Strasse, or an ugly courtyard), and extras like balconies or Jacuzzis, determine the cost of rooms. Solo travelers should take note of the low-cost singles with a big, clean private bathroom in the hall.

We liked the fact that guests get half-price admission to the spa’s sauna (those in the higher-priced rooms get free access). If you feel like splurging on some luxury, go for a chocolate massage, a make up application, or a luxurious bath in the spa’s gold, clam-shaped bathtub. With perks like these, the Artist Riverside could easily boast that “What happens in Mitte, stays in Mitte. “

» 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.