Hotel de Rome - luxury prestige hotel in East Berlin
Share
Former bank is now grand hotel in formal German style.
The former central bank of East Berlin is a grand old building dating back to 1889. It stood on Bebelplatz square, near Humboldt University and State Opera House. In the centre of the square is a memorial marking the spot where thousands of books were burned by Nazis one night in May 1933.
After unification the building was a little used conference centre, so international hotelier Sir Rocce Forte bought it, and spent millions restoring and converting the stately building into a luxury city hotel that opened in 2006.
Hotel de Rome immediately became one of the city’s most prestigious hotels and a perfectly located luxury base to explore the capital’s sights, shopping and entertainment.
The interior has had a severe modern make-over but you can still spot clues of its past life: the bank’s old underground vault is now a swimming pool and the huge cashiers’ hall is a ballroom with stucco panelling, glazed roof and mosaic floor.
The best rooms have wide balconies overlooking the city and there’s an open rooftop terrace for everyone to overlook the Square below.
Hotel de Rome’s grand public rooms include the Opera Court for afternoon tea, with another original glazed ceiling, and Parioli, the acclaimed Italian restaurant opening out onto the roof deck.
The design theme is a contemporary mixture of "Berlin style" glass and steel, with plenty of Germanic black, red and grey in the palette and some expensive and exclusive modern furniture. You may find it austere, cold and shiny but it does capture a sort of heel-clicking Berlin style. And guests can enjoy the latest HD TVs and bathrooms boast walk-in showers, mosaic marble and stand-alone cast-iron baths.
Suites on the first and second floors were originally the bank managers’ offices and keep that dignified atmosphere with high ceilings, wood panelling and decorative plaster. And perhaps the best historical remnants are the World War II grenade smithereens left embedded in the wood-panelled walls.
Cost £200 - £500 per night
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, room service, business services, internet access
Average customer rating
awaiting 5 vote(s)...
Email
Add to your Pocket Guide
Book online
Why Register?
