Berlin Travel Guide: Top 5 Hotels in Berlin

Introduction
Berlin, the largest country in Germany, has a population of 4.5 million people. Berlin is popular for its nightlife, many cafes and clubs, historical associations, shopping districts, museums and palaces and contemporary architecture. As you travel through the city, you can see monuments and buildings that represent different eras throughout Berlin's history. Some buildings date as far back as 1200. In some of the cities, you can still even see parts of the Berlin Wall. If you are traveling to Berlin, there are a variety of hotels for you to choose from. Some hotels offer a relaxing stay such as sleeping within an Oriental garden, while others are more adventurous-such as sleeping in a raft that hangs from the ceiling.

Some of the top Berlin hotels include:

• Propeller Island City Lodge,

• Pension 11 Himmel (stands for 11^th Heaven)

• Honigmond Garden Hotel

• Ackselhaus

• Ostel

Ostel
One of the most talked about and popular Berlin hotels is the Ostel . The hotel invites their guest to "travel back into time to the former East Germany." The Ostel hotel is for those who are into nostalgia and want a chance to experience the past of Berlin. Its style is retro-like with furniture designed similar to that of the 1970's. The 1970's style scheme covers everything from the carpet all the way to the clocks. While the furniture may be a bit outdated with style, the plumbing and mattresses are up to date. The hotel also offers themed rooms such as "Stasi Suite," "pre-fab high rise" and "holiday camp."

Propeller Island City
Propeller Island City Lodge is known as one of the wackiest hotels in Berlin. Propeller Island City Lodge is located in the western district of Charlottenburg. At the Propeller Island City Lodge, it will feel as if you can literally take a walk in the clouds. In the hotel, you will sleep on a "flying bed" in a room full of clouds. Or instead of a flying bed, you can also sleep in raft that hangs from the ceiling with shipping rope. Also at this hotel, you can request themed rooms as well. Spend your night in a prison cell, coffin in a crypt, stay in a room where the furniture is stuck to the ceiling or sleep in a green padded room. If you are into wacky and unique ideas, this hotel could be your place to stay.

Honigam Garden Hotel
To get closer to nature and sleep in the gardens, consider the Honigmond Garden Hotel . It is located in the middle of East Berlin. The live-in owner had it converted into a 10 room with three suite hotel about seven years ago. He began taming the wild gardens and added a Japanese bridge with frogs and fish swimming below. When guests help themselves to the bar in the lounge, they are encouraged to add tips to the "piggy bank." Guests also receive breakfast each morning.

11 Himmel or "11 ^th Heaven"
Young people created the inspirational design that is found throughout the Pension 11 Himmel or 11 ^th Heaven . Guests can stay in the princess suite and sleep under a chandelier and then lounge in the sun on a loveseat in the balcony next to the garden gnomes. For those who need some relaxation and get-away, they can retreat to the cornfield library and lie in the hammocks. Also in the hotel is an Oriental garden complete with a windmill. Guests are treated to a European breakfast each morning. Young people are on hand to give guided tours too.

Ackselhaus
Travelers who come abroad with their family will enjoy their stay at the Ackselhaus . Being built in 2000, it is still a fairly new hotel. This hotel is ideal for families and has been divided into apartments that includes a garden to have breakfast in each morning. Each "apartment" is complete with a kitchen and a bathroom. It can be found where most of Berlin's property boom can be seen. Most of the apartments and houses have been renovated with current 19 ^th and 20 ^th century style designs.

Conclusion
So if you are planning a trip to Berlin to experience its museums or to get a taste of the nightlife and clubs, there are many hotels to stay at. Whether you are looking for a practical hotel or a place with fantasy, you can guarantee there will be a place to relax and lay your head at when nighttime falls.

Resources:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/nov/08/hotels.berlin