Fodor's Expert Review The Regent Berlin

Name: The Regent Berlin
Address: Charlottenstr. 49, Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany
Telephone: 030-20338
Price range: $$$$

Charlottenstr. 49, Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany See on Map

Jennifer Ceaser

One of Berlin's most esteemed hotels, the Regent pairs the opulence of gilt furniture, thick carpets, marble floors, tasseled settees, and crystal chandeliers with such modern conveniences as flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and two phone lines with personal answering machines. Twice-daily housekeeping, overnight dry cleaning, and valet parking are other services. The intimate feel of the property is a sign of its exclusiveness, and the privacy of the often-famous guests is well-guarded.

room

The handsome rooms have a rich gold palette and feature classic Biedermeier furniture and antique writing desks. Plush robes and slippers and 300-count linens complement the luxe surroundings. Modern amenities include Nespresso coffee makers and satellite TV. Premium suites have marble fireplaces, kitchenettes and magnificent views of Berlin over the Unter den Linden boulevard.

Opt for a corner suite to get the best views of the scenic Gendarmenmarkt square.

Photo: Superior Room Twin

Photo: Presidential Suite

bathroom

Spacious marble bathrooms have separate tubs and walk-in showers and L’Occitane products.

lobby

Clad entirely in marble, with antique furnishings, ornate chandeliers, oil paintings and a fireplace, the lobby lounge is an elegant spot to enjoy the hotel’s famed afternoon tea.

dining

The fine-dining Fischers Fritz is due to re-open in spring 2018, but in the meantime, light dishes and snacks can be had in the Lobby Lounge and at the Regent Bar.

drinking

The ground-level Regent Bar serves cocktails—plus an impressive array of rare whiskies—in a somewhat stodgy wood-paneled room. The seasonal Summer Lounge, set in the hotel’s secluded courtyard and surrounded by orange trees, is perfect for an al fresco cocktail.

LOCATION

Getting Around

Located on Gendarmenmarkt, the hotel is close to the Friedrichstrasse shopping mile. The Friedrichstraße station, with S- and U-Bahn and regional train service, is 10 minutes by foot.

Restaurants

Several gourmet food options, mainly French-inspired, are on the lower level of the Galeries Lafayette (3-minute walk), a branch of the luxurious Parisian department store. Forget falafel and tofu, the vegetarian cuisine at Cookies Cream (4-minute walk) is inspired and beautifully executed—and will even appeal to meat-lovers. Head upstairs to the café at the famous German chocolate shop Rausch Schokoladenhaus (5-minute walk) for handmade chocolates, tarts and other scrumptious desserts.

Bars

Named after the legendary German photographer Helmut Newton, and with his giant nude photos adorning the walls, Newton Bar (3-minute walk) is a chic, if pricey, spot for good cocktails. Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt (2-minute walk) serves mugs of its signature brew in a rustic, Bavarian-style beer hall.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The timeless, classic design and top-notch, unobtrusive service will appeal to those seeking a traditional five-star experience. Its first-class amenities include a gym with state-of-the-art equipment and a modern spa with a sauna and treatment rooms.