Werderscher Markt 11, Berlin, Germany | (618) 248-8274
Central location, within walking distance of major attractions
Spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and kitchenettes in some
On-site features include a gym, sauna, and a steam room
Restaurant serves regional cuisine for lunch and dinner, with many vegan choices
Buffet breakfast offers wide selection (for a fee)
Pleasant cocktail bar with trendy and classic drinks
Connecting, accessible, and smoking rooms available
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Secure underground parking (fee)
Pet-friendly (fee)
Some rooms show wear and tear
Some “double” beds are two singles pushed together (common in Europe)
Gym is small with limited equipment
Breakfast not included in standard rates
The Arcotel John F is a contemporary, 190-room upscale property within walking distance of Museum Island and Berlin Cathedral. Rooms are spacious, though some show a bit of wear, but connecting and smoking rooms are available, and some rooms have kitchenettes. The buffet breakfast offers a wide selection, but it's not included in standard rates. An on-site restaurant serves good regional German cuisine, and surprisingly vegans are well catered to. There's also a bar serving trendy and classic cocktails. Other features include a small gym, sauna, and steam room, plus meeting and business facilities. Paid underground garage parking is available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Travelers could also consider the Sofitel Berlin Kurfuerstendamm, which has two restaurants, and is similarly priced.
Scene
Smart, contemporary vibe with sleek bar and a fun street terrace
The Arcotel John F, named for President John F. Kennedy, is smart and modern. The airy lobby's handsome dark-wood front desk has a wood-panel backdrop, and a lounge provides a trendy space to linger with black-marble tile flooring, black leather sofas, and silver button-backed armchairs. Loose-hanging white curtains soften the look. Hallways are a bit drab, but the airy breakfast room shines, with parquet flooring and quirky modern art on the walls. The sleek Town Bar sports striking red-lantern pendant lights, and the Foreign Affairs restaurant features an attractive sidewalk terrace with chic seating made from whitewashed wooden crates.
Location
Quiet central location, in walking distance to the subway and several attractions
The Berlin Mitte downtown location of the Arcotel puts it within easy reach of several popular tourist attractions. The hotel is on a relatively quiet street corner, and the proximity of the Hausvogteiplatz subway station (U-Bahn) station makes it easy to get around.- Four-minute walk to Hausvogteiplatz subway station
Rooms
Spacious, stylish rooms, some with iPod docks and kitchenettes -- but some show their age
The Arcotel John F's 190 quiet, air-conditioned rooms are spacious and stylish. Beds are comfortable and have high-button headboards in sexy silver leather -- though some “double” beds are two singles pushed together (common in Europe). White walls contrast with the smart gray carpeting and dark-wood bedside tables. Attractive lantern-style lamps provide reading light, and black-framed rocking chairs add a dash of quirkiness. All rooms have big writing desk, and many have built-in black-leather daybeds. Comfort Rooms have small kitchenettes with sinks and stoves, plus mini-fridges. Panorama Rooms add four-seater dining tables. In single-room Junior Suites, chic gray-wood dividers separate bedrooms and small living spaces, and the more spacious Park Suites have large dining tables. In a nod to the hotel’s name, the Kennedy Room is designed to resemble the White House, and the International Style Room emulates mid-19th century decor.Bathrooms are stylish but a little small, with black floors and white wall tiling, plus large walk-in showers or shower/tub combos with power showerheads. Miniature toiletries and pump shower gel dispensers are standard.Amenities include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, phones, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. There are also safes and hairdryers, and pricier rooms have robes, slippers, and iPod docks. The best views are from higher floors; connecting and accessible rooms are available, as are smoking rooms (a con for some), but some rooms show signs of wear and tear.
Features
German restaurant with vegan options, pleasant bar, small gym, plus sauna and steam room
The Arcotel’s best feature is its popular Foreign Affairs restaurant, which serves regional German cuisine for lunch and dinner (including room service). Surprisingly, vegans are well catered to, with options at both the restaurant and the extensive breakfast buffet (not included in standard rates). Guests can also grab drinks at the pleasant Town Bar, which serves classic and contemporary cocktails. There’s a small gym with a few cardio machines, plus a sauna and steam room. For business travelers, a small business center has computer stations and printers; the on-site conference rooms and business suites can accommodate up to 100 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and paid underground parking is available.