Das Stue

Opened in 2013 in walking distance to the massive Tiergarten park, this designer enclave located in the former Danish Embassy is a great find for fans of contemporary interiors and affordable rates.

• The location in walking distance to the Tiergarten Park and Berlin Zoo
• The views of the zoo from the suites’ balconies
• The serene spa
• The Michelin-starred restaurant and lively lobby bar

Located in an elegant neighborhood reserved mostly for embassies, Das Stue made a big splash when it opened in 2013. The former East Berlin has more than its share of design hotels but this cool enclave sits in the former West.

A member of Design Hotels, the 78-room, 19-suite Das Stue boasts sleek interiors, accented with black-and-white photography, bursts of color and cool objets, like the an alligator skull that greets arrivals in the lobby. A grand staircase—this is a classic 1930s building after all, which used to house the Danish Embassy—leads to the small guest rooms. Some come with views across the adjacent Berlin Zoo, a fun touch for children. Some of the more spacious suites come with balconies from which to take in the vistas.

Das Stue scored Michelin-lauded Catalan chef Paco Pérez to oversee the Mediterranean-influenced restaurant menu. The dining room has a cool open kitchen and incredible installation of gleaming copper pans that hang artfully above the diners. The holistic spa program was created by German wellness guru Susanne Kaufmann, and even though there’s a state of the art gym, the best way to exercise when staying in this part of town is with a run in the Tiergarten. (Daily yoga classes are also offered.) **Indagare Tip:**Skip breakfast at the hotel and walk across the street to the charming Café am Neuen See, a bonafide Berlin hang-out with delicious breakfast and brunch fare.

Independent, design conscious travelers and repeat travelers who have stayed in the former East Berlin during their first trip and are ready to explore the west.