Charlottenburg, this former West Berlin neighbourhood, is a great choice for travellers looking for authenticity, good food and art galleries. It is an ideal area to stay in Berlin if you want to discover a more timeless, elegant and authentic side of the city.
Charlottenburg is best known for its famous boulevard with the almost unpronounceable name: Kurfürstendamm. Running through the heart of the neighbourhood, it is lined with luxury boutiques, if your budget allows, as well as striking architectural contrasts, from post-war reconstruction to elegant 19th-century buildings that survived the war.
The heart of Charlottenburg is the famous Zoologischer Garten station, surrounded by several shopping centres, including Bikini Berlin, one of the capital’s trendiest shopping and lifestyle destinations. The area is also home to the C/O Berlin photography gallery and the Museum of Photography, with its Helmut Newton Foundation.
But Charlottenburg is about much more than shopping. It is also one of Berlin’s gastronomic hotspots, with numerous restaurants, delicatessens and food shops. To discover them, move away from the Kurfürstendamm and explore the charming streets and smaller neighbourhoods nearby.
A favourite meeting place for artists since the 1970s, Savignyplatz is home to legendary cafés and bars as well as a large art bookshop.
Every hotel featured in this selection has been personally visited so that we can assess its quality. Our in-depth knowledge of Berlin’s neighbourhoods also allows us to evaluate their surroundings: local atmosphere, public transport connections, restaurants and places of interest nearby.
Our favourite hotel in Charlottenburg: Hotel Henri
A beautiful historic building houses this charming hotel, decorated in a 1920s style with a pleasantly nostalgic atmosphere. It feels warm and welcoming from the moment you arrive – you can almost smell the hot chocolate at reception.
Many of the original features have been preserved, creating an authentic atmosphere. The least expensive rooms are a little small, while the others offer considerably more space. The staff are friendly and professional.
The street itself is very pleasant and leads you to the Kurfürstendamm within just a few minutes.
1920s atmosphere
From 105 euros
U1 Uhlandstr
The most stylish hotel: Hotel Q!
A modern designer hotel on a quiet street, just a few steps from the Kurfürstendamm. The white rooms feature an especially minimalist and futuristic design.
The hotel also has a spa, restaurant and bar.
Savignyplatz station is just a four-minute walk away.
Design
From 135 euros
S Savignyplatz
The most upscale hotel: Roomers Berlin Steinplatz
For more than 100 years, this magnificent hotel has stood overlooking Steinplatz, just a few hundred metres from the lively Zoologischer Garten and Savignyplatz areas.
Renovated in 2013, the hotel has regained much of its former splendour and offers all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel, including a spa on the top floor.
Both Savignyplatz and Zoologischer Garten stations are about a seven-minute walk away.
Spa
From 220 euros
U2 et U9 Zoologischer Garten
The quietest hotel: June Six Berlin
Cet établissement cosy et branché bénéficie d’un emplacement calme, à quelques minutes de la gare Zoologischer Garten. Les chambres sont spacieuses et agréables. Vous profitez d’un accueil très sympathique et de l’accès à une salle de gym.
Fitness
From 135 euros
U2 et U9 Zoologischer Garten
The best value for money: The Cloud One Berlin-Upper West
This modern design hotel enjoys an excellent location next to Zoologischer Garten station and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
The rooms are comfortable, and the hotel has a rooftop terrace offering beautiful views over Berlin. If you choose one of the higher-floor rooms, you can even enjoy the city views from your bed.
Rooftop
From 95 euros
U2 et U9 Zoologischer Garten
The best areas to stay in Charlottenburg
The neighbourhood’s main thoroughfare is the Kurfürstendamm, lined with numerous luxury and fashion stores. It is particularly lively between the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Uhlandstrasse.
Other particularly pleasant micro-neighbourhoods include the areas around Savignyplatz and Olivaer Platz, as well as the streets further west towards Halensee lake.
Areas to think twice about in Charlottenburg
Zoologischer Garten station, which is currently partly undergoing construction work, is not the most pleasant part of the neighbourhood.
Bismarckstrasse is a major traffic artery with little charm. The area around Charlottenburg Palace is more pleasant, although it is somewhat removed from the main attractions.
The neighbourhoods north of the Spree are also less convenient, as they are not as well served by public transport.
Our Berlin Hotel Recommendations
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