art'otel berlin kudamm

The razzle-dazzle Park Plaza Berlin (formerly the art'otel city kudamm) shines a spotlight on the Pop Art master Andy Warhol. Oodles of art—more than 250 copies by (or of) the man who made soup labels iconic—give this vibrant four-star establishment a glint of disco-era glam.

Set in a glassy building on the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf border, the Park Plaza is within walking distance to the area's department stores, restaurants and boutiques. Solid four-star amenities make it a cushy home base for sightseers. Rates are not the cheapest in town, but they are low enough to make all these “extras” feel like solid gold.

You’ll forever have an image of Warhol (and his spiky tresses) seared onto your brain after a stay in this gallery-cum-hotel. The Park Plaza's 152 spacious guest rooms feature a mixture of the artist’s works (usually portraits of Marilyn Monroe) and black-and-white images of the man himself (some nearly life-size cut-outs).

Some rooms sport a green-and-purple color scheme, while others are of the red-black-white persuasion. Either way, the feel is sleek and, in true Warhol style, edgy—think slick lighting (including some panels infused with ghost-like Andy images) and sassy, strategically placed decals. Our favorite detail? The low-slung, ‘70s-style chairs in bold shades of purple or red.

All rooms offer air conditioning, a tea kettle, minibar, phone, safe and flat-screen TV. Some superior and executive rooms offer a bit more space (for a higher rate). Those sensitive to traffic noise should request a room facing the courtyard.

The white-tiled private bathrooms are spacious and clean. Some are a bit boring compared to the splashy rooms, while others feature funky touches like Warhol’s signature scrawled up the shower glass or Marilyn’s silhouette (and bright red pucker!) on the mirror. Bathrooms are outfitted with a hair dryer and toiletries.

The Warhol party continues in the hotel’s open-plan lobby-restaurant, which is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows sporting life-size Andy portraits. And the bar/breakfast room does its best to evoke Studio 54, with “spotlights” over the bar and shimmering Warhols on the walls. (The only thing that’s missing is the New York attitude.) And the Park Plaza also offers a luxurious sauna with an adjacent fitness center.

Wi-Fi is free throughout, and breakfast is sometimes included in the room rate (check when booking).

The Park Plaza prices a bit higher than most of our Berlin picks, but it’s one the handful of “Classy Cheapos” we include in the city: those slick spots that are worth a bit more for the extras they provide. And given the hotel’s cool style, superb location and high standards of amenities and services, the rates are an excellent value.