Contrasts and Creativity: The Layers of Berlin

Berlin is vast – geographically, culturally, artistically, historically. With the European Union’s largest population, characterizing a “classic” experience in the city is nearly impossible – travelers visit for the cutting-edge contemporary art scene, which spills out of Bauhaus museum spaces into repurposed train stations and bomb shelters, and out onto the walls and streets themselves. The Grey City is at its most exciting and dynamic during the summer and autumn months, when the parks and planters burst into greenery, families spend whole days barbequing kebabs on park lawns, and the sun shines until well after nine at night. Yellow U-Bahn trains slice through vibrantly tiled underground stations and past the red brick spires of Kreuzberg’s Oberbaum Bridge; in the morning, early-rising joggers preparing for September’s Berlin marathon pass black-clad partygoers starting the walk home from a night at one of the city’s storied nightclubs.

In the center of the city’s sprawl, you’ll find the Mitte, home to many of the most recognizable landmarks, including the Reichstag, the spiky TV Tower, the stark Holocaust Memorial, Museum Island, and the Brandenburg Gate. And in the middle of it all, on the sprawling Bebeplatz and adjacent to the Berlin State Opera, sits the Hotel de Rome. Once the esteemed headquarters of the 19th-century Dresden Bank, it now stands as a beacon of elegance and sophistication in Berlin's bustling landscape.

From the first moment of entry, the hotel echoes the eclectic contrasts of the city that surrounds it; the grand stone entrance leads to a marble-columned lobby decked with Atelier Prométhée magenta urns and Olivia Steele’s neon birdcage. This combination of heritage design and contemporary furnishing extends to the rooms and suites, which offer traditional five-star comforts – luxe king beds, overstuffed pillows, and colonnaded terraces – enhanced with bold details such as pops of deep red, bold striped textiles, architectural lamps, and modernist furniture.

Bathrooms are stocked with Irene Forte products, as is the 8,000-square-foot subterranean spa, built into the vaults of the former bank, which includes a newly designed and modernized sauna, steam bath, relaxation area, and a first-class gym. The 20-meter-long pool, one of the longest hotel pools in Berlin, features golden mosaics on the walls to evoke the former jewel vault.

While the rooms and junior suites offer a serene respite from the street scenes of the German capital, the hotel’s design really shines in the Forte Suites. The Gutmann and Behren Suites feature mahogany paneling original to the time when these rooms were the offices of high-ranking bankers; the Historic Banker Suite was once the Dresdner Bank’s conference room, with the soaring coffered ceilings and beautiful parquet floors that accords still polished to perfection. The top accommodation is the Royal Bebel Suite, which sprawls over 2,100 square feet and boasts floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and vibrant wallpaper; the suite can be connected with up to four other rooms to create your own five-bedroom loft apartment in the city center.

Berlin is a city that defies easy definition, but it’s a place that invites you to become a part of its ongoing story. Whether you’re a party animal, exploring the endless nightlife dens tucked into every corner of Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain, or an early bird up for a morning stroll in the Tiergarten, the day starts with a classic German breakfast on-property at CHIARO, the signature Berlin-meets-Milan restaurant. Berliners take breakfast seriously, with plates piled high with cheeses, cold cuts and sausage, seeded rolls, honey, jam, and mustard, all the better to fuel a day of exploration.

Beyond the luxe walls of the Hotel de Rome lies a city pulsating with energy and creativity, and Berlin's rich history as a hub of artistic expression is particularly evident in its vibrant street art scene. From the iconic East Side Gallery, where remnants of the Berlin Wall serve as a canvas for political and social commentary, to hidden gems like the RAW Compound, where derelict buildings come alive with colorful murals, every corner tells a story of resilience and creativity. A walking tour of Berlin's street art hotspots unveils a tapestry of artistic expression, from playful murals to powerful political statements. The Bülowstrasse, once a no-go zone, now stands as a testament to the transformative power of street art, while the Urban Nation Museum celebrates the diversity of Berlin's urban art scene.

For those seeking a deeper dive into Berlin's artistic landscape, a visit to Teufelsberg offers a unique experience. Once a Cold War listening station, it's now a sprawling canvas for street artists, attracting visitors with its eclectic mix of graffiti and installations. Climbing the dome offers a bird's eye view of this urban playground, a surreal juxtaposition of history and creativity.

And of course, after a day exploring Berlin’s urban canvasses, it’s time to unwind in one of the city's legendary beer gardens. From the idyllic setting of Zenner in Treptower Park to the vibrant atmosphere of Birgit und Bier, there seems to be a watering hole tucked into every spare space. Sip on a crisp Pfefferbräu while soaking up the sun at Schankhalle Pfefferberg, or indulge in traditional Bavarian fare at Weihenstephaner Lichterfelde. In the middle of the lush Tiergarten, follow your nose to the scent of tarte flambées and grilling wursts at Schleusenkrug, or stick with the classic Café am Neuen See, which is draped with fairy lights and looks like a Max Liebermann painting in the hazy late-afternoon light.

As the sun sets, head back to the Rooftop Terrace at the Hotel de Rome for an Erdbeerwiese and a wood-fired pizza (it’s Berlin, so don’t worry – there’s also a vegan option.) The black-and-white striped lounge chairs are unexpectedly bold, contrasted against the gargoyles perched on surrounding rooflines; it’s a perfect metaphor for the eclectic tapestry of a city that fans out around you. This is Berlin: a city of contrasts and creativity; a canvas stretched on the frame of history, to which new layers of paint are constantly being added.

Summer in the city

Celebrate the best of Europe this summer with Hotel de Rome, nestled in historic Bebelplatz. Stay 2 nights or more between July 1 and September 8, 2024 and receive up to 20% off and €20 hotel credit, as well as:

• Breakfast daily
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
As a Rocco Forte Friend, you can enjoy additional exclusive benefits including:
• 15% off drinking and dining experiences
• 15% off selected spa treatments
• Bespoke cultural experiences