Sleeping Around Berlin in Style

Story Ed Salvato; photo courtesy Berlin Tourism

Upping its already sky-high cool quotient, Berlin has witnessed the opening of a host of hip new hotels over the past year. Continuing the boutique hotel industry's welcome trend of pairing a cool bar or sizzling restaurant -- or sometimes both -- with the new accommodations, these hotels also offer lounge and dining hotspots that attract locals and travelers alike, making them destinations in their own right. These three properties, located in the gay-popular Mitte district, are gay-friendly and gay-popular.

Mano Amano

The Hotel Amano is popular with an artsy crowd, especially film industry insiders. It may be for this clientele, that the Amano offers "Sleep Over" kits, including an energy drink, Tic Tacs and condoms. The hotel features a minimalist décor and a palette of browns, gold, and white with splashes of red. The bar is a neighborhood hot spot and the roof terrace boasts incredible views of the city. Pictured at right is the view from the Amano roof terrace.

Tip: Reserve a spacious apartment for only around 150 euros. It's located in a historic part of the building and has a separate, private entrance.

Circus circus

Across the street from the Amano is the Circus Hotel with its bright and cheerful design. Rooms are all individually designed. The intriguing and unique art works and accent pieces are all worth a close look. The hotel provides one of the best value among boutique properties in the city, with 60 euro single and double rooms and junior suites, and apartments starting at 78 euros for two guests.The chic and popular Restaurant Fabisch is housed in a converted men's clothing store, and you'll see playful references to that pedigree in certain design elements. The restaurant's specialty is German cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced produce and seasonality.

Tip: The hotel will charge all your electronic devices free of charge, and for a mere 5 euros (and "a smile," they say) they'll burn your pictures to a CD.

 

Cosmo-politan

The philosophy of the Cosmo Hotel is to actually send you away. But they really want you to come back. Their concierge service is famous for working with you to really customize your experience in the city whether you're looking for specific nightlife (bear bars, anyone?), an in at hot new restaurant, or some unique shopping (seeking the perfect harness). A Design Hotel https://www.designhotels.com/hotels/europe/germany/berlin/cosmo, the Cosmo's aesthetic is contrasting whites and darks, clean lines, and a very modern open feel. There are 84 rooms and a rather large gym for a small hotel.

Tip: The concierges really keep their finger on the pulse of what's happening in this city of constantly changing dining and nightlife

Story Ed Salvato; photo courtesy Berlin Tourism

Upping its already sky-high cool quotient, Berlin has witnessed the opening of a host of hip new hotels over the past year. Continuing the boutique hotel industry's welcome trend of pairing a cool bar or sizzling restaurant -- or sometimes both -- with the new accommodations, these hotels also offer lounge and dining hotspots that attract locals and travelers alike, making them destinations in their own right. These three properties, located in the gay-popular Mitte district, are gay-friendly and gay-popular.

Mano Amano

The Hotel Amano is popular with an artsy crowd, especially film industry insiders. It may be for this clientele, that the Amano offers "Sleep Over" kits, including an energy drink, Tic Tacs and condoms. The hotel features a minimalist décor and a palette of browns, gold, and white with splashes of red. The bar is a neighborhood hot spot and the roof terrace boasts incredible views of the city. Pictured at right is the view from the Amano roof terrace.

Tip: Reserve a spacious apartment for only around 150 euros. It's located in a historic part of the building and has a separate, private entrance.

Circus circus

Across the street from the Amano is the Circus Hotel with its bright and cheerful design. Rooms are all individually designed. The intriguing and unique art works and accent pieces are all worth a close look. The hotel provides one of the best value among boutique properties in the city, with 60 euro single and double rooms and junior suites, and apartments starting at 78 euros for two guests.The chic and popular Restaurant Fabisch is housed in a converted men's clothing store, and you'll see playful references to that pedigree in certain design elements. The restaurant's specialty is German cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced produce and seasonality.

Tip: The hotel will charge all your electronic devices free of charge, and for a mere 5 euros (and "a smile," they say) they'll burn your pictures to a CD.

 

Cosmo-politan

The philosophy of the Cosmo Hotel is to actually send you away. But they really want you to come back. Their concierge service is famous for working with you to really customize your experience in the city whether you're looking for specific nightlife (bear bars, anyone?), an in at hot new restaurant, or some unique shopping (seeking the perfect harness). A Design Hotel https://www.designhotels.com/hotels/europe/germany/berlin/cosmo, the Cosmo's aesthetic is contrasting whites and darks, clean lines, and a very modern open feel. There are 84 rooms and a rather large gym for a small hotel.

Tip: The concierges really keep their finger on the pulse of what's happening in this city of constantly changing dining and nightlife