The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

When it opened in 2004, The Ritz-Carlton Berlin quickly went on to become one of the most sought-after places to stay in the German capital. This 19-story tower hotel is inspired by the Art Deco movement, with lots of long rectangular windows and a grandiose lobby with curving staircases flanked with wrought-iron banisters, brass and gold-hued fixtures and accents, marble floors and columns, and rich upholstery. The hotel attracts both well-heeled tourists and business travelers, including meeting groups, and it gets a fair amount of wedding parties looking for an elegant venue to wed.

The Ritz-Carlton is centrally located next to Postdamer Platz in the historical Mitte area of Berlin, an area full of charming boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and nightlife venues. The hotel is within walking distance of many of the city's most significant tourist attractions and across the street from a U-Bahn station. It's under a 10-minute walk to Topography of Terror, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Holocaust Memorial. Getting to both Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie takes around 15 minutes on foot. The Berlin Wall Memorial is about seven minutes away by car. The Berlin Tegel Airport takes around 15 minutes to reach without traffic, while it can take upwards of a half-hour to reach Berlin Schoenefeld Airport.

Rooms range from entry-level Deluxe Rooms, which measure 430 square meters (40 square feet), clear up to the ultra luxurious Ritz-Carlton Penthouse, which measures 3,067 square feet (285 square meters). Most rooms fall into the Deluxe category and come with either one king-size bed or two twin-size beds. These rooms generally look out over the city or courtyard; travelers looking for better views should consider a higher-floor Deluxe View Room or a slightly larger Corner Deluxe Room. Ritz-Carlton Club Rooms are available on the 10th floor and offer more or less the same amenities as the rest of the rooms here, but come with free access to the Club Lounge, where guests get perks such as four different food buffets throughout the day and free garment pressing.

Decor across rooms is modern, with a beige, brown, mauve, and off-white color scheme, soft carpets, and ample use of grainy wood in accent walls and tables. Suites have similar decor schemes as the rooms, but provide extra little touches such as funky light fixtures and elegant artwork on the walls. All but the Junior Suites offer separate living rooms and bedrooms.

Standard amenities found across categories include free Wi-Fi, big desks, safes, minibars, flat-screen smart TVs, Nespresso coffeemakers, and adjustable mood lighting. Bathrooms are particularly sleek in rooms and suites alike, with marble heated floors, double vanities, and separate walk-in showers and shower/tub combos. Hairdryers and luxury toiletries are provided. Note that the hotel has been renovated since we photographed the rooms in 2016.

Unsurprisingly, The Ritz-Carlton is full of luxury amenities. There's a wellness area with steam and sauna facilities, and massage treatments are available. There's also a small but stunning indoor pool with a ceiling full of sparkling recessed lights that reflect on the pool's dark-blue tiles, giving the impression of the night sky. There's also an adjacent whirlpool hot tub for winding down. Overlooking the pool is a small, 24-hour fitness center with a few modern cardio machines, free weights, and a couple of weight-training machines. A jogging map of nearby Tiergarten area is available from the front desk.

This hotel offers a lot for business travelers, including a huge Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 900 people reception-style, plus plenty of smaller meeting spaces and breakout rooms. There's a business center offering everything from secretarial services to translation. Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the rooms and common areas. Parking is available for a fee in an underground lot, with daily and hourly payment options available. It's also a popular destination for weddings, with a dedicated wedding advisor to help with planning.

Dining at The Ritz is top-notch, with a bar, a restaurant, and 24-hour room service. Brasserie Desbrosses is open daily for all three meals and focuses on fine-dining, with ample use of locally sourced produce. The elegant Curtain Club bar features all sorts of spirits, wines, beers, and cocktails. Plush interiors are dominated by mahogany shelving, leather pincushion chairs, and a baby grand piano.