Berlin
Germany


The Experience

It's a shame this jewel isn't closer to Berlin's city center -- it takes almost half an hour to drive to the Brandenburg Gate from the prestigious Grunewald neighborhood. Then again, if the Schlosshotel were more practically located it might not be quite so exclusive. Originally built in 1914, the property is permeated with a sense of history -- especially since, unlike the Adlon, it was never destroyed, so many original details (like the impressive lion staircase in the lounge) are still intact. And with the sumptuous interior design of Karl Lagerfeld, the hotel -- with its deep red French silk-covered walls and gold leaf-covered stucco and doors -- continues to feel like a luxurious private villa.

The Rooms

Lagerfeld's glamorous touch continues in the bedrooms. With pleated cascading fabric and wood headboards, original antiques and imported silk-covered pillows, chairs and drapes, the decor is very turn-of-the-century French château. Rooms begin at a tight 323 square feet, so upgrade to at least the 450-square-feet Grand Deluxe rooms, which also include original antiques and artwork. Rooms vary in their features, some with working fireplaces, others glittering crystal chandeliers.

The Service

The hotel not only looks like a private villa, it feels like it sometimes too. That means the service is inconsistent and sometimes amateur. Room service may be prompt one day and delayed the next. If the concierge considers you to be a VIP, you're treated like one. But if he doesn't, you might be the victim of an oversight like forgetting to tell you that your taxi has arrived.

The Highlights

The formal gourmet dining room -- the same space where Kaiser Wilhelm II once dined -- is headed up by top chef Jörg Behren, who promises cooking that's neither experimental nor adventurous (though like the hotel, far from bland). Relax in the intimate spa or the pool, which is small but filled with light. And, as this is the only five-star hotel in Berlin to boast a garden, take advantage: Have breakfast or a cocktail on the Terrace or in the Schloss Garden. Chances are you won't mind how far you are from Berlin's center.

-- Gisella Williams

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