Arcotel John F

The Arcotel John F, named for President John F. Kennedy, is smart and modern. The airy lobby's handsome dark-wood front desk has a wood-panel backdrop, and a lounge provides a trendy space to linger with black-marble tile flooring, black leather sofas, and silver button-backed armchairs. Loose-hanging white curtains soften the look. Hallways are a bit drab, but the airy breakfast room shines, with parquet flooring and quirky modern art on the walls. The sleek Town Bar sports striking red-lantern pendant lights, and the Foreign Affairs restaurant features an attractive sidewalk terrace with chic seating made from whitewashed wooden crates.  

The Berlin Mitte downtown location of the Arcotel puts it within easy reach of several popular tourist attractions. The hotel is on a relatively quiet street corner, and the proximity of the Hausvogteiplatz subway station (U-Bahn) station makes it easy to get around.

• Four-minute walk to Hausvogteiplatz subway station
• Five-minute walk to Museum Island
• Eight-minute walk to Berlin Cathedral
• 16-minute walk to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
• 17-minute walk to Checkpoint Charlie
• 19-minute walk to the Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz public square
• Five-minute drive to the Bundestag parliament building (15 minutes by public transportation)
• Five-minute drive to the Reichstag (17 minutes by public transportation)
• Eight-minute drive to Berlin Central Station (14 minutes by public transportation)
• Eight-minute drive to the Mercedes-Benz Arena (27 minutes by public transportation)
• 26-minute drive to Schonefeld Airport (42 minutes by public transportation)
• 26-minute drive to Tegel Airport (an hour by public transportation)

The Arcotel John F's 190 quiet, air-conditioned rooms are spacious and stylish. Beds are comfortable and have high-button headboards in sexy silver leather -- though some “double” beds are two singles pushed together (common in Europe). White walls contrast with the smart gray carpeting and dark-wood bedside tables. Attractive lantern-style lamps provide reading light, and black-framed rocking chairs add a dash of quirkiness. All rooms have big writing desk, and many have built-in black-leather daybeds. Comfort Rooms have small kitchenettes with sinks and stoves, plus mini-fridges. Panorama Rooms add four-seater dining tables. In single-room Junior Suites, chic gray-wood dividers separate bedrooms and small living spaces, and the more spacious Park Suites have large dining tables. In a nod to the hotel’s name, the Kennedy Room is designed to resemble the White House, and the International Style Room emulates mid-19th century decor.

Bathrooms are stylish but a little small, with black floors and white wall tiling, plus large walk-in showers or shower/tub combos with power showerheads. Miniature toiletries and pump shower gel dispensers are standard.

Amenities include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, phones, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. There are also safes and hairdryers, and pricier rooms have robes, slippers, and iPod docks. The best views are from higher floors; connecting and accessible rooms are available, as are smoking rooms (a con for some), but some rooms show signs of wear and tear.

The Arcotel’s best feature is its popular Foreign Affairs restaurant, which serves regional German cuisine for lunch and dinner (including room service). Surprisingly, vegans are well catered to, with options at both the restaurant and the extensive breakfast buffet (not included in standard rates). Guests can also grab drinks at the pleasant Town Bar, which serves classic and contemporary cocktails. There’s a small gym with a few cardio machines, plus a sauna and steam room. For business travelers, a small business center has computer stations and printers; the on-site conference rooms and business suites can accommodate up to 100 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and paid underground parking is available.