art'otel berlin mitteEditor's Pick

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Overlooking a canal in a sleepy corner of Mitte, the attractive Art’otel Berlin Mitte offers a mélange of old and new under one four-star roof. This architecturally-intriguing outpost of the German-owned Art'otel mini-chain is popular with a diverse crowd, including artists, musicians, and business travelers.

The modern half, which is home to the hotel’s 109 rooms, is a colorful, gallery-like space devoted to Georg Baselitz’s bold abstract paintings. The historic, canal-side half is a restored, 16th-century mansion with original rococo details.

Now that most major chain hotels have jumped on the art hotel bandwagon, the hotel’s singles and doubles don’t really elicit the wows they used to when the hotel opened in early 2000. But with their faux bois closets and backboards, flat screen TVs, airy curtains, leather armchairs, and, of course, Baselitz prints, the rooms are well-conceived and a bit more stylish than most hotel rooms. The color of the wall-to-wall carpeting and leather furniture varies on each floor: you can ask for green, blue, or yellow depending on your mood. Sizeable bathrooms, some with bathtubs, boast architectural sinks.

In the morning, guests pass through the glass-lined lobby and a small, outdoor patio to reach to the adjoining Ermerlerhaus. The first floor is devoted to a breakfast room and bar with sleek brown leather chairs and wooden tables. The main attraction is the intricate ceiling, a vision of gold stuccowork and glass. The staff will show you the frescoed conference rooms hiding one story up—as long as there isn’t a conference (or a wedding) in session. Even if you can’t check out the conference rooms, be sure to take a look at the curvaceous, gilded staircase.

Guests can rent bicycles at the reception desk and then head into the city via a network of beautiful, canal-side bike paths. Though the Art'otel isn't in the thick of things, a nearby U-bahn station is well-connected to major sights. The hotel is also convenient to a historic boat harbor and a busy pick-up point for city tours by boat.

» 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.