Swissotel Berlin

Swissotel Berlin’s exterior glass curved design exemplifies its artistic aura. A glass elevator whisks guests to the third-floor lobby, where a large area with a range of seating arrangements -- long communal tables, bar chairs and gray armchairs, circular standing bar tables -- occupies the center. A large rectangular skylight provides natural lighting, and a striking curved staircase leads to an upper floor. The lobby also has a private nook with sofas and a bookcase. The hotel’s bar and restaurant, Palermo Bar and Restaurant 44, are off the lobby. 

Interior hallways are large, especially in the areas of the meeting rooms and ballroom, where a private collection of German paintings and drawings align the walls; sculptures can be found throughout the hotel. Clusters of tables, sofas, and armchairs are arranged in hallway corners and near the elevators offering plenty of seating. Couples make up most of the clientele, and they can often be seen in the lobby after hours grabbing a drink and a light snack from the Grande Galerie lounge, although business travelers are a close second.

Swisshotel Berlin is in a convenient location near a few of Berlin’s top attractions. It's right off Kurfürstendamm, a shopper’s paradise, with its fashion designers, upscale boutiques, and, at the other end, Zara and H&M. Several restaurants line this avenue, which are all in easy walking distance from the hotel. The Berlin Zoo and Aquarium are also within walking distance, both about 10 minutes away. The Kurfurstendamm U-Bahn (subway) station is within a two-minute walk, and there's a bus stop right outside the hotel. Checkpoint Charlie is about a 17-minute bus ride, while Museum Island is about 30 minutes by bus or U-Bahn. Berlin Tegel Airport is within a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic.

Standard Rooms are spacious, with crisp, white bedding; dark-maroon curtains; brown and tan chairs; and modern artwork hanging over the beds. Premiere Rooms and Suites add patterned bed runners, modern armchairs, and posh lamps, and have lounge areas. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, robes and slippers, and minibars. Swiss Advantage Rooms and Suites offer free minibars. (Suites limit free minibar goodies to once a day.) Guests have complained that the beds are too hard, and that pillows are too small, although the hotel offers a Pillow Menu. Rooms are furnished with computer tablets, from which guests can order pillows along with 24-hour room service, TV programs, and movies. Bathrooms are small but sleek, and offer granite counter space around the sink and magnifying mirrors. Showers and tubs are tiny, and few toiletries are provided. Higher-priced rooms offer views of Kurfürstendamm instead of an interior courtyard. Guests can upgrade to Club Lounge privileges, which gives them access to a private lounge, where they can have breakfast, drinks, snacks, dinner, read newspapers, or play games. 

The Swissotel Berlin has a small, 24-hour fitness center with eight or so machines, free weights, and exercise balls, a Finnish sauna, and an "experience shower." Nine meeting rooms are available for business travelers, and there's a ballroom for events. Cooking Studio 44 offers a full kitchen, and a small business center has two Mac desktop computers and two printers. 

Restaurant 44 serves Swiss cuisine in a posh venue, with views of Kurfurstendamm. The Palermo Bar, with mod vintage chairs, evokes a certain ‘60s vibe, and the lobby bar, Grand Galerie, serves a variety of drinks -- from coffee to whiskey -- and light snacks. A breakfast buffet is included in some reservation packages. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.