The Best Hotels in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Once the heart of Berlin’s ’70s punk rock scene, grungy Kreuzberg is still known for its rebellious spirit. Splashed with giant works of street art and crammed with live music venues like SO36, Kreuzberg is the place to be if you’re seeking an authentic taste of Berlin after-dark, while still being within easy reach of the city’s key attractions during the daylight hours.
Kreuzberg’s signature hotels capture the neighbourhood’s creative, free-spirited energy, and there are plenty of options for those looking to splash out on something more refined as well as for travellers on a tighter budget. Read on to discover the best hotels in Kreuzberg, all bookable with Culture Trip.
Motel One Berlin Mitte
If it’s the edgy, arty side of Berlin that you’ve come to Kreuzberg for, you’ll be among kindred spirits here. Using the signature scruffy work by Berlin-based artist Freddy Reitz throughout, alongside plenty of softer bohemian splashes (mismatched velvet chairs in the lounge; architectural floor lamps in the bedrooms), it feels young and creative. Don’t be put off by the name, either – you’re still more in Kreuzberg than Mitte, and just steps from Moritzplatz U-Bahn station.
Mövenpick Berlin
Located in the Potsdamer Platz area, this taramasalata-pink hotel is a sober and business-like escape from Kreuzberg’s anarchic energy. Housed in the old Siemens HQ, there’s more than a touch of the industrial in the glass-and-steel finishes, but with a gym, sauna and enclosed courtyards to explore, it’s not without its luxurious side. It’s well-located, too – you’re just minutes away from Checkpoint Charlie, Tiergarten and some of the best museums in the city.
Crowne Plaza Berlin – Potsdamer Platz
Arty feature wall murals above the padded leather bed headboards, toadstool-shaped bedside table lamps, carpet-free wooden floors – it’s the creative design touches that make this slick city hotel feel of-the-moment and exciting. It also places you in the centre of the action, being just a stone’s throw from live-music venue Tempodrom and a short walk from Martin-Gropius-Bau. Facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, a spa and a Middle East/Mediterranean-influenced restaurant.
aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz
Pared-back Scandi-chic meets Berlin functional in this simple yet elegant, centrally situated hotel. Next to the Gleisdreieck U-Bahn, you’ll be just 150m (500ft) from the park of the same name, and a few minutes’ walk from Potsdamer Platz. Bright, light and family friendly, the modern surroundings offer enclosed outdoor areas, a pizzeria, a rooftop terrace and soundproofed rooms – just in case nightclub Tresor isn’t open yet and you want to get the party started.
Grimm’s Hotel Potsdamer Platz
In a leafy part of Kreuzberg, on the edge of the canal, sits Grimm’s, named after – you guessed it – the Brothers Grimm. And it’s not just lip service, either – the hotel uses the fairytales as thematic inspiration, with the Magic Potion bar, the Wishing Table restaurant and room decoration as quirky as the city itself. Location-wise, you’re a short walk away from Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and the very un-Berlin-like Mall of Berlin, crammed with shops and restaurants.
nHow Hotel
Europe’s first ever music hotel, nHow Hotel truly lives up to the theme. DJs play throughout the weekend, there are two professional recording studios, and the hotel boasts the world’s only guitar room service: you can have a guitar delivered to your room for a jam session, free of charge. Its unique theme is complemented by wacky and colourful modern furnishings, while extra amenities include a spa, a gym, a relaxation room and a restaurant serving creative twists on German dishes like cucumber soup with Berliner Brandstifter gin. Its striking exterior marries edginess with playfulness, making the hotel one of the most noticeable buildings on the Spree River. It’s located on the border of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, so guests are close to some of the city’s best music venues.
Orania.Berlin
Located on buzzing Oranienplatz, Orania.Berlin puts you temptingly close to Kreuzberg’s plethora of cool bars. But you don’t even have to venture out of the hotel to find a stellar drinking spot – the hotel’s own bar regularly hosts a variety of concerts, from classical to jazz, which are best enjoyed while sipping a cocktail served by the hotel’s mixologists. Be sure to book a table at the restaurant, which is headed up by Michelin-star chef Philipp Vogel and focusses on using local ingredients to create tasty, modern dishes. Throughout the hotel, the decor is elegant and understated, with hints of luxury such as a grand piano bringing an additional sense of opulence.
Hotel the YARD
The Yard is located just a short walk from lively Oranienstraße and Kottbusser Tor, where you’ll find some of the Kreuzberg’s best bars and nightlife spots. Tourist attractions such as Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum are nearby, making the Yard an ideal base for guests looking to make some headway with their Berlin bucket list. The hotel itself is fresh and modern and, as the name suggests, its main attraction is the verdant courtyard, designed by Swiss landscape architect Enzo Enea. A well-placed spot to take a moment to escape the Kreuzberg crowds, the hotel is equipped with an indoor swimming pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath and fitness centre.
Kirsten McCroskrie contributed additional reporting to this article.
Looking for more places to stay in Berlin? Check into one of the top ten hotels Berlin has to offer, or if you’re travelling on a shoestring, you’ll love our guide to the best budget-friendly stays in the city — all bookable with Culture Trip.
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