Hotel am Steinplatz, Autograph Collection

"Start us off with an overview and an entrance.Vladimir Nabokov, Brigitte Bardot, and Alain Delon all have stayed at this luxury hotel at some point in its history. It opened in 1913 on a quiet, leafy square in posh Charlottenburg and received a renovation a century later as part of the Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The boutique property retains its alluring Art Nouveau flourishes, including a sinuous canopy above the entrance, Moorish arched windows, and exquisite stucco work throughout. The flawless redesign integrates historic decorative elements with contemporary touches. A double-sided gas fireplace warms up the black-and-white Deco lobby, which is outfitted with marble, modern leather seating, and enlarged vintage photographs from the hotel’s glamorous past. What’s the crowd like?This hotel is a Marriott property, so you'll hear a lot of American accents. What are rooms like?The 84 rooms and three suites are a seamless blend of Art Deco and modern, with elegant blacks and creams, punctuated with pops of deep red and chrome. Ceilings are wonderfully high, and tall windows let in plenty of light. Some rooms face a tranquil courtyard; others, the street or leafy Steinplatz park. As this is a historic property, each room has a slightly different layout, but all are spacious, and comfortable. Sleek black-and-white marble bathrooms have heated floors, lighted mirrors, and large rainforest showers; suites have separate freestanding tubs. Luxe toiletries from Saint Charles are a nice touch. The top-floor spa suite is the ultimate in relaxation, featuring an in-room sauna. Cute toiletries and pricey sauna suites aside, are there other amenities of note?High-tech features include an electronic monitor that you can turn on to see who’s outside your door. There are also blackout shades controlled by a bedside switch. Onsite, what are our best options for food and drink?Breakfast is served in the Restaurant Am Steinplatz, a small, attractively designed restaurant with a glassed-in conservatory area and a courtyard. Make time for a drink at the neighboring Bar am Steinplatz, which has a fine selection of cocktails inspired by the Roaring ‘20s—the Rose Gimlet, with Doppelwachholder (a local juniper-flavored spirit), gin, rose cordial, and seeding spice, is a favorite—along with drinks perfect for an aperitif and non-alcoholic choices. Any other facilities we should check out during our stay?A top-floor spa offers massages, body treatments, and facials. One floor up is a spacious, windowed rooftop fitness area; you can work out on high-tech machines while taking in views of the Berlin skyline and TV Tower. Bottom line: Why will we love it here?Because of its luxurious boutique vibe and ideal location—just a short walk to the shops along Kurfürstendamm and the Berlin Zoo." - Jennifer Ceaser