Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof

With high ceilings, columns, and large open lobby spaces, the immense size of this hotel is evident as soon as guests walk through the front door. The lobby has a sitting area with couches and armchairs to the left, elevators to the right, and a front desk a bit farther into the space. Large, colorful post-modern abstract works of art permeate the lobby and hallways, and a large, white globe statue adds a vibe of hipness to the setting. Off the lobby are Xxenia Restaurant and the stylish 9:00 PM bar, with armchairs placed around small tables and lights hanging over the bar counter. The hotel's clientele is overwhelmingly couples, but it also draws families (children under 12 stay free) and business travelers.

Located in the Tiergarten District, the Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof is across the street from the Berlin Zoo and the Aquarium, making the location popular with families. Tiergarten Park is about an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and for avid shoppers the Europa Center is about a six-minute walk away, and the famous upscale shopping avenue of Kurfurstendam is within a seven-minute drive. Kurfürstendam and the Berlin Zoologischer Garten metro stations are less than a 10-minute walk. A wide range of restaurants are within a five- to 10-minute walk of the hotel, and Berlin Hegel Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

There's a soft, understated luxury at play in the Pullman's guest rooms. A tan-and-white backdrop often accented by boldly colored artwork sets the tone. Seating areas have couches, coffee tables, and armchairs, and wide desks are paired with ergonomically designed chairs. Flat-screen TVs sit on swivel cabinets, so guests can watch shows from the bed or the seating area. Upscale amenities include Nespresso machines, safes, kettles, minibars, and bottles of free mineral or still water. Sewing kits, shoe polishers, robes, and slippers are additional touches. Bathrooms have dual sinks, granite counter space, storage areas, and shower/tub combos, and come with Laura Hutton Caring Kits, C.O. Bigelow toiletries, Globetrotter kits, and hairdryers. Guests recommend requesting rooms with views of Tiergarten Park or the zoo. Other rooms have views of buildings with rooftop gardens, which can be pleasant too.

One of the Pullman's stand-out features is its indoor heated lap pool, surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs and armchairs. The hotel also has a small, 24-hour glassed-in fitness center with a handful of machines and free weights. The spa has a sauna and Turkish bath, and it offers hot-stone massage treatments and facials. There's also a hair salon and a sun terrace.

The hotel also has a Connectivity Lounge, or business center, with a row of computers with up-to-date Microsoft software, and a printer. There are 18 meeting rooms with videoconferencing, multiple power sockets, and audio and video projection equipment. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

The hotel's breakfast buffet is popular among guests, although it's expensive. The Xxenia Restaurant serves Mediterranean and German cuisine, and the 9:00 PM lobby bar serves drinks and snacks. Room service operates 24 hours a day, and the front desk has juice, fresh pastries, espresso, coffee, and apples available from the late afternoon till the early morning.