“How weird is to be more excited for your hotel stay than the city you are in? (Asking for a friend..)”
I know saying this may sound absurd to many of you but visiting Berlin wasn’t ever on top of my list. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful city with a lot to offer and i can see that now. However, I was not attracted to visit the capital for the longest time! And i think a lot has to do with the difficulty I had learning German while growing up. As someone who always enjoyed picking up new languages, I got very discouraged when I couldn’t keep up with the German language and that subsequently affected my feelings towards the German capital (funny how the brain works sometimes). Luckily, the Henri Hotel Berlin was so picturesque that I knew I wanted to visit and shoot there for my blog. So i packed my bags, got a tripod with me and flew there alone! And let me tell you, I I couldn’t be happier that I let my inhibitions go and gave Berlin a try!
The Hotel
The Henri Hotel is a boutique hotel in a impressive building out of the late 1800s. Reopened in 2016 after a complete renovation, the hotel retained a lot of its history which is evident from its creaking parquet floors to the ceiling panelling. Entering the lobby really felt like I was transferred to another world. Details like painted porcelain vases, chandeliers and turquoise coloured walls made me feel like i was in the old French era. But i did not feel a stranger to it. The smartly designed open plan of the main salons along with the friendly staff helped create a very homely atmosphere.
Facilities
The three salons (Red, Blue, Ladies-Bower) are by the reception and a great place to relax or grab a drink. If the weather permits it, you can also sit at the outside tables and enjoy a glass of wine while people watching. Next to the Red salon is the house kitchen where you can enjoy a breakfast buffet in the morning (€16) or grab a coffee and a croissant for 4.50€ if you are in a hurry. Breakfast includes a selection of cold meats, antipasti, jams and a couple of warms dishes such as scrambled eggs and bacon.
Rooms
The hotel has 72 rooms and they are all decorated in the same Wilhelminian style as the rest of the hotel. Think tall ceilings with french panelling, wooden floors and a mixture of colourful and antique furniture. During my visit there, I stayed at the Salon room which is the most spacious option available.
Few of the amenities in my room were a 40″ flat screen TV, a bathtub and a sofa. My absolute favourite however, was the fact that I had my own balcony which made an idea spot for a breakfast/evening coffee. Its vary rare to get balconies in the hotel rooms. In fact, I think this was the first time I ever had one and it definitely made my stay more exciting.
The other two type of rooms (Kabinett, Les Chambres), even though smaller, they all come with coffee and tea making facilities, fridge, workdesk, safe and free-wifi. There is even two Bogota rooms that pay tribute to the hotel’s past. Guests staying there can spend the night among the original Bogota furnishings that were once part of the historic hotel.
Location
The Henri Hotel located in Kurfürstendamm, which is dubbed as one of the most luxuries neighbourhoods in the city, is only a few minutes away from designer stores and popular restaurants/cafes. Nearby attractions also include the Berlin Zoo and Bikini Berlin, the first concept mall in Germany housing cafes, restaurants pop-ups and lesser known brands. A great alternative for those who are looking for something different.
Overall: I have no complaints over my stay at The Henri hotel Berlin. The staff was very attentive and helpful and they happily provided me with directions/suggestions when needed. The location was very safe with great options to dine/drink nearby and it was still very close to Berlin Mitte. Picturesque in every corner, the retro design was my cup of tea and I will definitely be returning for an another stay (and more pics!).
Double Rooms starting from 98 EUR | Book online here
Disclaimer: I was offered a two-night complimentary stay for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions are my own.