An icon in western Berlin, Hotel Bristol Berlin opened its doors in 1952 and has since hosted A-listers from John F. Kennedy to Cary Grant and Ava Gardner. Its traditional, classic style feels like an anomaly in today’s increasingly modern West Berlin, and although it was renovated in 2017, there is a certain patina to the establishment.
But the charming setting inside a historic building, the excellent service and the prime location near the Kurfürstendamm all remain big draws, as do the luxury hotel’s top-notch restaurants and bright, engaging sauna and pool area.
The lobby is grand, with historic free-standing golden pillars, green marble floors and original Berlin artwork. Much of the hotel reflects this traditional-luxe aesthetic, though the 2009 refurbishment of the 64 rooms in the historically protected tower, which created two new deluxe suites designed by Peter Rudolf in an art deco style, is slightly more contemporary.
But the charming setting inside a historic building, the excellent service and the prime location near the Kurfürstendamm all remain big draws, as do the luxury hotel’s top-notch restaurants and bright, engaging sauna and pool area.
The lobby is grand, with historic free-standing golden pillars, green marble floors and original Berlin artwork. Much of the hotel reflects this traditional-luxe aesthetic, though the 2009 refurbishment of the 64 rooms in the historically protected tower, which created two new deluxe suites designed by Peter Rudolf in an art deco style, is slightly more contemporary.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Berlin's most famous shopping street, colloquially known as Ku’damm, is on the doorstep of Hotel Bristol.
- There are plenty of draws for families in the area too — the Berlin zoo and aquarium are also nearby, and you can walk to Tiergarten (the city’s largest park) in less than 10 minutes.
- The luxury hotel’s wellness area, kitted out in a light-filled Roman-Greek style, has a heated, 59-foot pool, sauna, infrared cabin and steam room with a cold plunge pool.
- For more low-key relaxation, there is also a small fitness room, plus a pool bar that serves drinks and light snacks.
Things to Know
- The U-Bahn station across the street is ideally situated for sites beyond West Berlin, and a limousine service is available on request.
- If you’re after great views, go for the Ku’damm Suite, which looks out over the iconic boutique-filled street below.
The Rooms
- The rooms, spread across several main floors plus an 11-story tower, are a stylistic mix of classic and modern.
- All rooms feature a selection of pillows (Tempur-Pedic mattresses can be provided on request), a TV and minibar, and either a bathtub and/or a shower.
- The 55 suites have seven different categories and also range in styles — it’s either traditional and elegant (warm woods, rich fabrics, brass accessories) or contemporary (dark mahogany woods, neutral color palette).
- The most contemporary decor can be found in the 64 tower rooms, which were refurbished in 2009.
The Restaurants
- The Berlin hotel offers a couple of main dining options, including the smart and well-loved Bristol Grill, which serves German-French cuisine with the occasional modern twist.
- The more casual, low-key brasserie Reinhard's at Kurfürstendamm specializes in regional Italian and French dishes and has a lovely terrace overlooking Ku’damm.
- Bristol Cafe’s fireplace makes it the hotel’s coziest refuge for drinks and light bites.
Getting There
