Scandic Berlin Kurfüerstendamm

Housed in a large, modern, and unremarkable structure built in 1967, Scandic Berlin Kurfuerstendamm's bland exterior doesn't make an  impression. Once inside, however, it’s clear that the hotel has a sleek, nature-themed contemporary design that adds an upbeat vibe to the place. The lobby has glossy tiled floors, a white front desk, and quirky seating areas with green leaf-print carpets, funky velour orange and green armchairs, a wall of stacked firewood, and a print of birch trees on the wall. The eco theme is also evident in the hotel’s restaurant, which has warm wooden floors and tables, tree murals, a bright glass atrium surrounded by trees, and small flower displays on each table. The hallways are a bit bland, but they don't take away from the overall lovely atmosphere, which tends to attract couples. Families are common visitors as well, as children under 13 stay for free.  

Located in West Berlin, Scandic Berlin Kurfuerstendamm is close to the popular shopping street from which it takes its name. The Europa Center offers other shopping options an eight-minute walk away. The Kaiser-Wilhelm church takes nine minutes to reach on foot, while the Berlin Zoo is a 15-minute walk from the property. The city's top sites can easily be reached by public transportation in about 20 to 30 minutes, including Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag building, the Brandenburg Gate, and Museum Island. A U-Bahn station is around the corner and a bus stop is just six minutes away. There’s plenty of dining options on surrounding streets as well. Berlin's Tegel Airport is about a 20-minute drive or a half-hour by public transportation, while Schönefeld Airport is a 25- to 40-minute drive or around an hour by public transit.

Guest rooms are simple and modern, with white walls, black-and-gray or gray-and-white patterned carpet, and gray curtains, all brightened by a pop of color courtesy of purple bed runners. The design is sleek and shies away from the nature theme found throughout the hotel. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities (sometimes just kettles and other times both kettles and coffeemakers), and safes. Standard Rooms have mini-fridges, while Family Superior and Superior Rooms include free minibars. Some rooms are equipped with furnished balconies, though the views aren’t spectacular. Bathrooms are plain and simple, with mostly white tile and touches of black, and glass showers with waterfall showerheads. Hairdryers and Face Stockholm toiletries in dispensers are provided. 

The wellness facilities are the highlight of this property -- there’s a fitness center with multiple cardio machines, free weights, and a weight machine, as well as a Finnish sauna and a Turkish bath. The hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar that's open for dinner and offers a Scandinavian menu. It also has a small children’s play area to entertain young kids. A breakfast buffet is served daily and is included in most room rates. Room service isn’t available, but there is a small snack and drink shop to satisfy cravings throughout the day. Guests can conduct business meetings in one of the five on-site meeting rooms, plus there's free Wi-Fi throughout. A public computer is available for guest use in the lobby. Bikes can be rented, and there’s limited parking for a fee.