"What's so special about this place?Step from bustling Potsdamer Platz into this five-star hotel and you feel like you've entered a sanctuary. The small lobby is done up in subtle neutral tones and dotted with modest floral arrangements, but the focus here isn’t on the common spaces. An elevator stands right next to the reception desk, ready to whisk you up to your suite—and yes, most rooms are suites, and spacious ones at that. It’s no wonder this privately owned property is a favorite of celebrities; there’s direct elevator access from the underground parking garage right to your floor. What’s the crowd like?There's a whiff of exclusivity about the guests here—they're looking for privacy, not to mingle. Most importantly: How are the rooms?The 158 studios and suites are among the largest in Berlin—the smallest, the City Studio, still measures a spacious 430 square feet. All are located between the fifth and 11th floors, which ensures you will be far removed from busy Potsdamer Platz, and have plenty of light to boot. Rooms are calm, clutter-free, and totally Zen, with neutral modern furnishings, custom wood tables, gleaming wood floors, and plush area rugs. A few understated black-and-white photos hang on the walls; a simple vase of flowers decorates a table. All rooms have sleek kitchenettes, tea and coffee makers, and a well-stocked mini-bar. Generous marble bathrooms have combination tubs with rainforest showers; higher categories have separate bathtubs. Organic vegan amenities are supplied by Berlin-based i+m. Oh, and the beds themselves: they're heavenly, with high-end German-made mattresses and eiderdown duvets. Any amenities of note?There aren't a lot of bells and whistles in this serene space, and that's just fine. The most notable perk though is the newly renovated, top-floor ONO Spa, which offers fantastic city views alongside treatments that combine natural products with high-tech therapies (the ultrasonic facial is particularly rejuvenating after a long flight). Or you can recharge in the multiple saunas then unwind by the fire in the lounge, or on sunny days, out on the plant-filled terrace. Once we've had a bit of a refresh, we'd like to refuel. What are the best options on-site?The first-floor Qiu Restaurant & Bar, just above the lobby, serves international dishes in a long, narrow, lounge-like space decorated with Asian accents. It's best suited to sipping a well-crafted cocktail. It’s the two-Michelin-star Facil, on the hotel’s fifth floor, that’s the real draw. Chef Michael Kempf's gourmet seasonal cuisine is served in a beautiful glass-walled atrium, which looks out onto a serene, bamboo-filled courtyard. It’s not easy to score a reservation, but fortunately, Facil doubles as the breakfast room for hotel guests (although it’s a different kitchen team). The breakfast buffet (not included in room rates) is extensive, with lots of healthy yogurts and far less healthy pastries baked in-house. Bottom line: Why the Mandala Hotel?For the huge, Zen-like rooms and proximity to major sites, including the Philharmonie concert hall, Sony Center (across the street), and Brandenburg Gate." - Jennifer Ceaser
