Anyone who has ever spent any time in Berlin cansurelyattest to itsunique multifaceted nature: refusing to be pigeonholed,this is a city that thrives on a heady combination of grit, glamour and cutting-edge creativity. Underground clubs overflowing withleather-cladhipstersexistalongside some of the world’smost renownedgalleries, museums and theatres. Steeped in a rich, multilayered history yet pulsating withforward-thinkingdynamism, the city is a constant source of inspiration for locals and visitors alike.
Encapsulating Berlin’sdistinctive spiritand panoply ofcharacteristicsis Das Stue, a hotel thatharnesses all of the city’s complexities,fusing historical grandeur with sleek, contemporary style. Housed in agrandneoclassical 1930s building that formerly belonged to the Royal Danish Embassy, it isat onceresplendent and charming,statelyand warm, sophisticated and quirky. All of this is evident from first entry: an original white marble dual staircase frames the lobby, while a statement-making light fixture dangles above a sculpture of an open-mouthed crocodile head - one of many playful reminders of the property’s convenient adjacency to Berlin Zoo. The dramatic interiors are the work of celebrated Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, whose use of mood lighting, sumptuous textures and rich colour palette creates an immediately inviting atmosphere, living up to the hotel's name: Das Stue is Danish for ‘living room’. In fact, a few nights here feel almost akin to spending time in the home of your ultra-stylish friend with envy-inducing taste. The 78 rooms, 20 of them suites, differ from each other in character, but all feature high-end modern furnishings, hand-picked textiles and black and white fashion photographs and portraits by artist André Rival. Many boast impressive views of Tiergarten and Berlin Zoo, some with balconies or terraces. A perfect balance has been struck between cosy and contemporary: it would be tempting enough to skip out on a morning of sightseeing in favour of a few extra hours of luxuriating in the comforts of your room, be itsoaking in the freestanding tub or nursing a cocktail on your balcony as you spy on the neighbouring antelopes and ostriches.
