Best design hotel in Berlin?
 

I'm going to Berlin for the the third time in June and I am trying to pick which hotels to stay in. I'm a huge fan of design/boutique/unique sorts of hotels. Does anyone have a personal favorite? I've stayed at the Hotel Q, Andel's, Radisson Blu (awesome aquarium), and was wondering about hotels such as Lux 11, the Mandala, Propeller Island, the Intercontinental (floors 7 & 8 I think are supposed to be different), the Circus, Cosmo, etc.
If anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.

I wouldn't quite call it "high style" or "design", but last fall I booked the Hotel Johann when several of the other hotels you list were fully booked:

http://www.hotel-johann-berlin.de/en_pages/welc_en.html

It does certainly have a "style" which you can see from the pictures on the web site. A bonus is really friendly trusting staff, a great breakfast, and a location which while a bit off the main tourist track is actually very close to the S-Bahn which takes you to the middle of things in 5 minutes. Very quiet neighborhood at night and Bergmannstrasse which has a variety of restaurants and other shops is a short walk away.

I originally chose it only since other options were booked, but I would go back.

I would give Schloßhotel im Grunewald a try. If you want to get the hotel with the most impressive view in Berlin book a Duplex Suite in the Hilton and ask for 609 (and pray that I am not in town, because this is mine :D)

Propeller Island is really an art installation that happens to accept overnight guests. The rooms range from ultra-cool to truly bizarre. You need to carefully study the website's description of each room to select one that sounds "compatible" ;) (also, some rooms have private baths, while others share a common facility).

I guess the difference between cool and bizarre would be in the eye of the beholder. Though I will say that the reviews of Propeller Island on Tripadvisor are for the most part, brutal. Seems a bit of a cross between a dirty hostel, surreal art project and place to have weird sex. I think given the people who I have recently spoke to, will have to pass on that one, much as I'm tempted.

I would pass on the radisson, it's pretty standard (well the blue tube is nice, but thats it). Mandala is awesome..

Though not boutique, the Hyatt has a very unique/modern design for a chain hotel. Its location is not bad either.

How about the Ku'damm 101... (http://www.kudamm101.com/) ^

Design hotels in Berlin?
 

I've just recently stayed at the Ku'Damm 101. It's a quite sterile place located at the west end of the Kurfürstendamm. If you're on a budget, you might like it as it's not very expensive. The friendly staff deserve an honorable mention. See what it looks like here (and read my rather lukewarm review): http://www.guidebook.se/?p=846

As for the Lux 11, mentioned in the discussion, they belong to a similar category as the Ku'Damm 101 but the location, in Berlin-Mitte, is superior. http://www.guidebook.se/?p=486

My personal favourite in Berlin is the Schlosshotel Grunewald. It's far from minimalistic, but Karl Lagerfeld have added some elements here and there, (this is also the place where he stays when in Berlin), which makes the old schloss feel less... old. Fantastic staff. A nice restaurant. Plus; breakfasts are off the hook!
http://www.guidebook.se/?p=484

Gute Fahrt!

:: h ::

well, though being a frequent guest to the Intercontinental, and really liking the modern, contemporary design, I wouldn´t call it a "design-hotel". It´s just cool, modern design, but nothig extraordinary.
Floor # 7,8 on the east wing are the club room floors, but there´s no difference in design than on the other floors of that wing.
The west wing was renovated very nicely recently, but still won´t win a design price for innovative ideas.

Design hotel in Berlin
 

Check out LOUISA'S PLACE on Kurfuerstendamm, near Lehniner Platz.
As I live practically opposite I cannot comment on the interiors.
My favourite - as a tourist - would be the Mandala, bang on Potsdamer Platz.
The restaurant 'Facil' is my favourite on the 5th floor. Especially for lunch.
Had the fortune of being shown round by the director after renovation - and
it is impressive. Especially the new spa area. The rooms to the courtyard seem very quiet. It got style and atmosphere and you are practically everywhere in central Berlin at the nick of time. Enjoy your stay in Berlin !

At least the restaurant linked with this hotel is more than good and reasonably priced for this standard.

I can recommend http://www.michelbergerhotel.com/ - has been open for just over a year now I believe and certainly was "different" to anything else I've ever stayed at!

A few more places in Berlin
 

First two less attractive alternatives:

The Mandala –.it's certainly not a design hotel. It's just a modern looking hotel, (and quite business boring if you ask me). Clean, efficient but not very exciting at all. See why here: http://www.guidebook.se/?p=489

Louisa's Place –.a pretty OK location if you'd like to stay on the Ku'Damm. The restaurant is more than OK. The rooms are just OK. Not exciting. If you want design, you will be disappointed. http://www.guidebook.se/?p=491

- - - - -

Now, on to the good stuff:

Casa Camper Berlin –.quirky, functional, youthful in a stellar location. If you've been to the Casa Camper in Barcelona, you'll recognize more than a few touches. Amazing staff. Highly recommended. http://www.guidebook.se/?p=883

Soho House Berlin –.a private member's club with a casual attitude, (although you shouldn't arrive here wearing a suit or a tie). It scores points with its rooftop pool, cool club-room and bar, interior design (except the lobby area) and superb staff. Highly recommended. http://www.guidebook.se/?p=868

Enjoy!

:: h ::

And the breakfast there is world class