Schlosshotel Berlin by Patrick Hellmann

Character and identity

A former palace tucked behind baroque gates in leafy Grunewald, this is West Berlin at its most discreet: residential streets, mature trees, and a property that hides in plain sight among the surrounding villas. The interiors, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, set the tone. Plum walls with white trim and checkerboard floors at reception, a two-storey lobby in crimson damask under a coffered wood ceiling, and the GQ Bar (its first permanent home in Western Europe) in herringbone monochrome with fashion photography. A basement spa adds an indoor pool, hammam, Finnish sauna and gym. Le Jardin, a glass conservatory, opens onto the gardens.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The proposition here is seclusion with serious style: a Lagerfeld-designed palace on the edge of a forest, not a city-centre base. Book it when you want Berlin at arm's length and plan to linger on the property. Budget for car transfers, and ask for a room that looks onto the gardens to make the most of the setting.