Reviewed by
Will Hide
The red and white lobby of Hotel Q!, set just off Berlin’s glittering main drag, the Kurfürstendamm, comes as quite an eye-opener after the low-key, grey-walled façade. The work of the Graft group, who designed Brad Pitt’s Hollywood Studio, it’s undeniably cool: funky tunes play from concealed speakers, backlit walls emit a soft glow, and the hip all-in-black staff seem genuinely pleased to see you. (Want to know the latest clubs and newest boutiques? These guys are the people to ask.) Beyond the curved front desk lie a good Thai restaurant and a members-only bar - all red leather, charcoal suede and chrome - plus a lounge where you can recline on sleek chaises-longues and chill out over cocktails. There’s also a patio for alfresco summer drinks and, in the spa, a tropical sand room and a Japanese wash area for devotees.
Slip upstairs to find low-level red lighting, vibey music set at just the right volume, and corridors lined with a thick burgundy shag-pile carpet that would look unfashionable anywhere else. The 77 all-white and well-maintained rooms flaunt cocoon-like design, with swooping bath-cum-bed combos and barely a right angle in sight; quirky touches like naked prints and ceiling murals add a spot of humour to break up the minimalism. All in all, it’s sexy, stylish and fun - a great Berlin base for couples seeking a good time.
Slip upstairs to find low-level red lighting, vibey music set at just the right volume, and corridors lined with a thick burgundy shag-pile carpet that would look unfashionable anywhere else. The 77 all-white and well-maintained rooms flaunt cocoon-like design, with swooping bath-cum-bed combos and barely a right angle in sight; quirky touches like naked prints and ceiling murals add a spot of humour to break up the minimalism. All in all, it’s sexy, stylish and fun - a great Berlin base for couples seeking a good time.
Highs
- An excellent location in one of Berlin’s most upmarket areas, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, and close to good transport links
- Service is friendly and unpretentious, and the staff know all the hippest places in town
- Breakfast is one of the best we’ve come across - not normally included in the rates, but worth the extra spend
- During our summer stay, we enjoyed excellent cocktails in the secluded courtyard
- And in winter, the small basement spa has a sauna, steam room and a menu of excellent massages
Lows
- The bold design may not to be everybody's taste, although it was still looking slick on our last visit
- The bath-by-the-bed arrangement looks great, but you’ll need to wash gently or you'll splash your sheets, and you may find it easier to climb out onto the bed than floor
- No twin rooms and bathrooms are open-plan: it’s definitely a hotel for couples rather than friends
- The full-length mirror right by the shower we found a touch unforgiving!
Best time to go
Berlin is a year-round destination. Summers are similar to the UK, perhaps a little warmer and more humid; Tiergarten is wonderful for a stroll and a picnic and is also pretty in autumn when the leaves change colour. Winters can be bitingly cold, but a crisp, clear January day would be perfect for exploring the city without the crowds. It can get busy during fairs (such as ITB in March) and the Christmas markets (late November and December).
Our top tips
The hotel name is pronounced Koo - which is also German for cow, hence its bovine logo. The building is barely marked from the outside so make sure to note the exact address.
If you plan to visit Norman Foster's Reichstag dome, consider booking breakfast or brunch in Feinkost Kaefer perched alongside the dome: not only does it offer bird's eye views and beautifully presented fare, but booking here may allow you to sidestep the often lengthy morning queues into the dome.
If you plan to visit Norman Foster's Reichstag dome, consider booking breakfast or brunch in Feinkost Kaefer perched alongside the dome: not only does it offer bird's eye views and beautifully presented fare, but booking here may allow you to sidestep the often lengthy morning queues into the dome.