fjord hotel berlin

The privately owned Fjord Hotel occupies a seven-story white stucco building that dates back to 1994. Inside, its decor reflects a minimalistic modern Scandinavian vibe with white and pearl-gray furnishings throughout. Bright framed photos of Norway give a nod to the hotel's name. Infused water, apples, and friendly staff welcome guests to the small property. While there's not much space in the reception area to hangout, the breakfast room provides decent daytime seating on velvety gray benches and chairs, plus guest can linger at a small bar staffed by the reception desk. It's a popular spot in the morning, as guests sit here checking their itineraries and getting ready for the day, but this hotel is more for sleeping than for lounging on site. Still, Fjord makes a nice home base -- the hotel is well-maintained and makes updates regularly to stay fresh. It's location is a big draw for business people and tourists alike, including plenty of international guests, some from the party-ready younger set.

Situated in a residential area slightly beyond Berlin's central Mitte district, the hotel is still fairly well-positioned. It's a five-minute walk from international restaurants on Potsdamer Street, a 15-minute walk from Potsdamer Platz, and about a 10-minute walk from several U-Bahn stations -- though bus stops, which are closer, can be more convenient. Limited onsite parking is available for an extra fee, though it should be reserved in advance.

• 15 minutes to the Brandenburg Gate via public transit
• 15 minutes to Kurfürstendamm shopping street via public transit
• 15 minutes to Checkpoint Charlie via public transit
• 17 minutes to Berlin Central Station via public transit
• 22 minutes to Alexanderplatz via public transit
• 22 minutes to Museum Island via public transit
• 50 minutes to Berlin Tegal Airport via public transit
• One hour to Berlin-Schönefeld Airport via public transit

Decorated in a palette of soft gray and white, Fjord's guest rooms have a clean, modern feel that jibes with the hotel's gentle Scandinavian theme. White-washed wood laminate furnishings, stucco walls, velvety gray upholstered chairs, and gray shag carpets all feel fairly fresh. Since our room photos were taken, the hotel has added a little flare to rooms: bright photographs of fjords and green Norwegian landscapes, plus stylish rustic white-washed wood-plank accents and blue accent pillows. Bathrooms are contemporary with white tiled walls and, usually, shower stalls with glass partitions.

Rooms have open wardrobes, desks, flat-screen TVs, and in-room snacks and drinks for purchase, but no coffee/tea service or mini-fridges. Bathrooms have hairdryers and toiletry dispensers, while some upgraded rooms add extra individual toiletries. Like many mid-range hotels in Berlin, there is no air-conditioning. Rooms have views of the street or courtyard. The hotel has a few tiny rooms called "Small and Fine," which are about 180 square feet, but jump up a category, and "Our Fine Rooms" add almost 100 square feet of space and sitting areas. Cosy Rooms are the same size but add space for up to four with a sleeper couch. Favorite rooms among guests are those situated on the seventh floor, which add rooftop terraces with sitting areas.

The hotel offers amenities on par with other mid-range hotels in central Berlin. There's no full-service restaurant, but a breakfast buffet is offered daily, usually for an extra fee. There's a nice spread of mostly cold fare, like bread, cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, and cereal, plus some hot dishes, like scrambled eggs and German meatballs. Breakfast changes slightly every few days, so guests staying longer won't feel like it's running on repeat. The breakfast area doubles as lounge space during the day, and there's a small bar there run by reception desk staff serving drinks like coffee, beer, and soda. Reception is open from the morning into the late evening, so guests checking in late or checking out early must arrange to pick up or drop off their keys in a special lock box. (There's also a phone number for late-night needs.) Bike rentals are offered for an extra fee. The hotel offers limited on-site parking, also for an extra fee, but it should be reserved in advance. Wi-Fi is free.