The Mandala Hotel

A confident, restrained style pervades The Mandala. The small entryway belies the hotel's true size, not to mention the scope of its guest rooms. Light plays a starring role in every inch of the interior, from common spaces filled with copious hidden accent lights, glowing panels, and reflective surfaces to the natural light of the rooms and glass enclosed restaurant. The modest lobby offers bright, warm stone floors; the area also features water running down a gold panel fronted by glass vases. Sensual photography from Herb Ritts adorns the hallways as well.

Located at the historic Potsdamer Platz in the Mitte district, the hotel is a luxurious base for exploring the city. Many popular attractions are nearby along Unter den Linden, Berlin's primary tree-lined boulevard. Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and Tiergarten park are all within a few minutes walking distance from the hotel. Berlin is Germany’s capital and largest city, best known for its lively nightlife (restaurants and bars stay open late), cafes, museums, palaces, street art, and numerous historic sights. Berlin Tegel Airport is about an 18-minute drive northwest and Berlin Schönefeld Airport is a little less than 30 minutes southeast.

The smallest rooms are a generous 430 square feet with windows that span one whole wall, providing city or interior garden views. Entryways built entirely out of natural wood house sleek little kitchenettes, bookshelves, and walk-in closets on one side, with large sliding doors concealing a bathroom on the other. The large bathrooms have shower/tub combos, well-lit vanities, and boutique toiletries. A sitting chair, ottoman, and large wraparound workspace share the room with a queen or king bed. All the units here are on the fifth floor and above, eliminating a lot of the city noise that hotels in the area suffer from. Free Wi-Fi is included and guests can borrow laptops or tablets free of charge.

The main on-site restaurant FACIL has two Michelin stars and ambiance that sparks romance, with a glass roof that opens in summer. FACIL's chef de cuisine uses mostly local products to create seasonal German classics with a touch of Asian influence. This neutrally hued intimate space is at a minor disadvantage during breakfast when the restaurant sometimes struggles to accommodate everyone for the buffet. A smaller bar and restaurant, QIU, is located on The Mandala's first floor and also serves as a nightclub.

ONO, the hotel's expansive day spa, resides on the top floor with many treatment rooms, a solarium, and a sauna. There's also an outdoor terrace for guests to rise above the stress of the city below. The terrace shares space with a fitness center that has an array of cardio bikes, circuit machines, and free weights, open 24 hours. Meeting rooms are on the fifth floor, filled with natural light and capable of hosting small parties of 20 people each. A grocery shopping service is available to fill guests' kitchenettes at retail prices.