Axel Hotel Berlin

The Axel's exterior’s black stucco, circular design accented by narrow, slit-like windows provides a hint to guests that this hotel is far from cookie-cutter standard. A colorful poster in one entrance announces “anything can happen.” Once inside, sleek, ultra-modern black decor dominates with black tile floors and walls that are accented by white and gold square armchairs facing each other under floor-to-ceiling windows. The richly colored, gold front desk with gold decorative lighting above has a large framed black and white print of a muscular male athlete. The street-level Hamburger Mary’s restaurant and bar is a stark departure from the dark, minimalist design of the hotel lobby. Its kitschy space features fire-engine red walls lined with movie memorabilia and various couches and chairs. The hotel's bar is small and brightly lit with tan-wood accents. The black decor continues in halls on the upper floors, leading to the rooftop fitness area where even the small workout room is decorated with black walls and bright red floors. Other areas near it are brightly illuminated by natural light, including an indoor area with lounge chairs overlooking the city and an outdoor, covered whirlpool. There's also a popular rooftop space and a street-level courtyard with stainless tables and chairs, plants, trees and a grassy area where large, egg-shaped stones are scattered.

The Axel Hotel is in the heart of Berlin’s Schöneberg neighborhood, once the center of the city’s famous cabaret nightlife of the 1920s. It’s largely a gay community today, surrounded by a lively entertainment scene with bars, discos, restaurants, and coffee shops. Conveniently situated in what was once West Berlin, it's a four-minute walk to the Wittemburg Platz U-Bahn train station and equally near the legendary, upscale KaDeWe department store. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the Berlin Zoological Garden. Both Tegel and Schoenberg Airports are approximately 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic) or 40 to 50 minutes by train. Public parking is adjacent to the hotel.

Rooms are starkly decorated and stylishly ultra-modern with either all-black decor or a black and tan combination on the walls and accent furniture. The standard City Rooms are cramped even by European standards with little storage space for clothes other than a nightstand and a few hangers above it. Rooms have large, brass-framed windows, illuminating an otherwise very dark space, and small writing desks. All rooms have divided bathroom spaces: Tiny toilet areas separated by a sliding door and simple white and black vanity sinks. The showers are not for the modest, with a clear, red-tinted glass-enclosed stall in clear view of the bedroom. Some suites have double sinks and separate tubs in addition to showers. All rooms have king-size beds, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, electronic safes, robes and slippers. Suites offer more space with separate sitting areas, more light, and better views. Full suites on the top floor have an impressive panoramic view and a small balcony. Some guests find the street noise a distraction on the lower floors.

Hamburger Mary’s serves American cuisine in a gaudy, light-hearted setting, including a morning breakfast buffet not included in the standard room rate. The restaurant has outside seating and a small bar and offers karaoke on some evenings. The rooftop fitness and relaxation area has a covered whirlpool on an outdoor deck, sauna, steam room, a small workout room with weight lifting and cardio equipment, lounge chairs next to common showers and an outdoor deck. An adjacent terrace is open only for special events, and meeting space is available for up to 40 people. A bicycle rental facility is just outside the entrance. Self-service laundry facilities and a computer station are available.