Want do you want from a hotel when you're on a city break? A central location, closely followed by beautiful interiors, welcoming service and a restaurant serving up hearty breakfasts all rank highly on the list of requirements. And while a rooftop spa isn't exactly essential, it's an added bonus for those who want to revive their tired feet after a day of shopping and museums.
It's not often you find a hotel offering all of the above, but Marriott's Hotel Am Steinplatz from The Autograph Collection ticks these boxes - spa included.
It first opened in 1913, but after a complete overhaul, Am Steinplatz - perfectly positioned near the Kurfurstendamm shopping district in West Berlin's Charlottenburg - opened its doors again in 2013 with 84 new bedrooms and three stunning suites located over six floors.
Although renovations can often replace charm and character with glossy floors and a little too much contemporary artwork - this isn't the case here. The exterior of the building is stunning and inside, the decor is chic but subtle with a central courtyard that adds natural light. There's none of the stuffiness you sometimes find inside large city hotels.
When it comes to the bedrooms, there are four categories to choose from - and the lower rate rooms are called 'deluxe' for a reason. They're spacious and are kitted out with all the mod cons you'd expect (iPod dock, plasma screen TV) plus the bathrooms are even more enormous and are stocked with toiletries from luxe Italian fashion brand Etro.
However, it's unlikely you'll be spending much time in your room (you're in Berlin!)
The restaurant and bar serve up delicious German dishes created by Michelin-starred chef, Stefan Hartmann. The cocktails are also well worth sampling - try the apple margarita for the perfect pre-dinner drink - but be prepared for expensive city hotel prices if you're eating and drinking in-house. There are plenty of equally brilliant but cheaper restaurants located in the surrounding streets of Charlottenburg.
But the real perk? The top floor spa and sauna which boasts stunning views of the city plus a menu which includes body wraps, aromatherapy massages, facials, manis and pedis. The prices are relatively affordable for a hotel spa - treatments start at around £24 - and for real value for money, it's worth looking at the spa package options that provide treatments alongside a glass of Winzersekt (sparkling wine.)
Just another reason why this five-star hotel is one of Berlin's best.
Rates at Am Steinplatz start at 132 Euros (around £100) a night. To find out more, visit am-steinplatz-autograph-collection.com.
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