4 Cool Places To Stay in Berlin, Germany

By Jacquelin Carnegie – (Berlin, Germany)

Due to an influx of creative types from all over the world, Berlin has become one of the hottest spots on the planet. The trendy neighborhoods shape-shift and change at a rapid pace. At the moment, these East Berlin districts--Kreuzberg and Neukölln, “Kreuzkölln,” Friedrichshain, and Mitte—are all the rage. And, some areas of West Berlin are coming back in vogue. Here are four cool places to stay in this hot, hip town:

East Berlin: The Epicenter of the Fashion Scene

The Weinmeister Berlin-Mitte

Weinmeisterstrasse 2

Tel: +49 030/755-6670; www.the-weinmeister.com

Metro: Weinmeisterstrasse, U-bahn

The Weinmeister, Berlin

Fashionistas, this is the definitive place to crash, right in the heart of the Mitte district, Berlin’s hippest fashion scene. The Weinmeister, part of the Chambers Group, has small, stylish rooms where every piece of furniture does double-duty: a clothes rack backs a headboard, a storage bin serves as a table, etc. There’s an iMac in every room and a lively scene in the lobby for drinks, snacks, or breakfast.

East Berlin: Down by the River Side

Michelberger Hotel

Warschauer Strasse 39/40

Tel: +49 302/977-8590; www.michelbergerhotel.com

Metro: Warshauer Strasse, U-bahn

Michelberger Hotel

A bunch of friends got together and said, “Let’s open a hotel!” The colorful and edgy Michelberger is the result. With stylishly-affordable rooms and a cool bar/cafe and restaurant, this is the “in” place to be in this all-the-rage neighborhood between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, right on the River Spree.

Juncker's Hotel

East Berlin: Off the Beaten Path

Juncker's Hotel Garni

Grünberger Strasse 21

Tel: +49 030/293-3550; www.junckershotel.de

Metro: Frankfuter Tor, U-bahn

For former hippies or anyone looking for a small, friendly place to stay, Juncker’s is a great spot with absolutely fabulous breakfasts. In the trendy Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg area, this unassuming little hotel has very clean, simple rooms and four apartments.

West Berlin: Meet Up with Musicians

Q! Hotel Berlin

Knesebeckstrasse 67

Tel: +49 030/810-0660; www.loock-hotels.com

Metro: Uhlandstrasse, U-bahn; Savignyplatz, S-bahn

Q! Hotel Berlin

Very popular with musicians, the Q! is located on a beautiful, little street in West Berlin, right off the famed Kurfürstendamm shopping avenue. The modish guest rooms, include studios and a penthouse. The futuristic, über-modern design by architectural firm Graft (who’ve worked on Brad Pitt's projects) makes you feel as if you’re staying on the moon.

Berlin Arrival: Almost every major airlines flies into Berlin: Berlin Brandenburg BER