The Place
Creaking up to the fourth floor in an ancient cage lift, you might think that this converted 1898 apartment building and its owners would be old-fashioned. But an affable greeting from Gerd, young-at-heart with a warm sense of humour, will start to convince you otherwise. His wife Christine is a member of the Thonet (Viennese bentwood furniture) family, and she renovated and designed the Art Nouveau herself. The hotel seemlessly combines old and new: high ceilings with period moulding and the original herringbone parquet sit with Mondrian-style art and bright Van Gogh-yellow curtains. Handsome antiques are found throughout the individually-decorated rooms, which are simple rather than fussy, and there is an earnest desire that you should feel at home. You are given a key to the building. The salon has an honesty bar – you help yourself – and an ingenious kitchenette in which a good buffet breakfast will be prepared for you. Gerd is especially proud of the PG tips provided for his English guests. There is no restaurant, but Tavola Calda across the street is an excellent option for lunch or dinner – try the fish which is light and delicate. The hotel is convenient for public transport; set in a safe and attractive part of Charlottenburg; cheerful, and by Berlin standards, relatively inexpensive, the Art Nouveau deserves its wide popularity.