Fodor's Expert Review Das Stue

History meets contemporary style in the heart of Berlin, in a building that once housed the Royal Danish Embassy and still retains governmental grandeur—from the classical facade to the dramatic entry staircase—now mixed with warming touches like cozy nooks designed by Patricia Uriquola. Public spaces showcase the leafy neighborhood through walls of windows and the photography of noted shutterbugs like Helmut Newton, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Diane Arbus. The 80 rooms are spread out over the historic or new wings, and feature views of the courtyard, nearby park, or the zoo. Some have balconies or terraces, or perks like curved bathtubs, but all feature a decor of streamlined furnishings, high ceilings, dark wood floors, and amenities like free Wi-Fi, premium TV channels, and HD Apple entertainment systems. Michelin-starred Catalonian chef Paco Perez oversees two on-site eateries—one casual, one fine dining—that draw upon the Mediterranean flavors of his homeland, while the zoo-view bar-and-tapas lounge serves everything from cocktails of the 1920s and '30s to a list of 400 German and Spanish wines. A well-equipped gym, swimming pool, Finnish sauna, and holistic-minded spa help relax both the leisure and post-meeting crowds.