SO/ Berlin Das Stue Hotel – Design Meets Former Embassy

SO/ Berlin Das Stue Hotel – Design Meets Former Embassy

trendy-week-berlin-and-Leipzig-smallBerlin is a fabulous city rich in history and there is so much to see and explore. So what better way to complete your stay than to choose SO/ Berlin Das Stue hotel. This hotel is located in former West Berlin on the south-western edge of Berlin’s largest park, the sprawling Tiergarten. This means that guests can enjoy this larges park, it is truly beautiful around autumn, as well as the historic Berlin Zoo which is literally right next door. Also close is the pretty Landwehr Canal, this canal goes through the city from West to East. A 15 minute walk brings you to Charlottenburg, the former city centre of West Berlin. Here you find the famous Ku’damm lined Lined with shops, hotels, restaurants and many fashion designer stores.

Das Stue’s classically curved main building was constructed in 1938 by German architect Johann Emil Schaudt, this is the same architect that designed the famous KaDeWe store, the largest department store in continental Europe. Das Stue housed in the past the Danish Embassy, with the name Stue meaning living room in Danish. The interiors are designed by Spanish interior designer Patricia Urquiola, and range from a mix of colourful sofas and animal sculptures in the lounge to the more neutral, distinguished tones of the Casual Restaurant, and a cosy outdoor dining terrace.

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Das Stue – former Danish Embassy turned hotel

Lobby

The hotel is at the edge of the park right at the end of a street that has residential buildings and embassies, it looks grand in stature from the outside. The moment I walked into the main entrance of the hotel, it feels like I entered an art gallery. The main hall has hundreds of lights at the ceiling creating a wave and below the wave I was greeted by a wooden crocodile head. Through this hall you enter the reception area and eventually the bar area which overlooks the zoo and the ostrich enclosure. On the wall there were various black and white photos from Givenchy.

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Entrance and main lobby area

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Greetings from the wooden croc

Das Stue Berlin Design Hotel view from bar

View from the bar towards the Zoo

Libraries

In the historical part of the building there is a massive staircase which has generous landings with beautiful original parquet flooring. Each landing has its own library with sofas, chairs, artwork and of course books. These libraries are the perfect place for having an informal meeting, enjoy a cup of tea or doing some reading.

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Staircase is part of a 3 story library. I loved the leather animals all around the hotel. You are next to the zoo after all.

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Around the staircase there are various areas to relax and read a book.

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Another relaxing zone

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Beautiful staircase going up 3 stories

Rooms

The hotel’s 78 guestrooms – which include a mix of Stue Rooms, Embassy Rooms and Suites are split between the original building and a newer annexe that’s clad in the same floral-patterned concrete surface you’ll spot on the outdoor terrace. I stayed in the Embassy room at the front of the building overlooking the residential and embassy area. It was located on the 3rd floor which is still part of the old building and not the two story extension build on top.

The Embassy room is an entry level room of the hotel with a size of about 30 m2, with some of the rooms having a bath, in my case I had one with a rainfall shower. I loved the original hardwood flooring throughout the room and the high ceiling made it feel very airy. The large desk had an Apple iMac computer which also doubles up as the TV. Next to the desk is the Nespresso coffee machine which is now the norm in most 5 star hotels. The double bed with rich linens was very comfortable and had two designer chairs in front of it, ideal for watching TV and enjoying a glass of wine. The room is modern and high end, with touch controls to adjust temperature, and bedside touch controls to control the lighting.

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Desk with Apple Mac that also functions as your TV

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Das Stue Berlin Boutique Hotel.

Control all lighting from your bedside.

Bathroom

The bathroom was white and bright with lots of storage and a rainfall shower. I loved the design of the sink area with a concealed well lit shaving mirror.

Stue Suites

I was shown a Stue suite, which is a room with a size of about 70m2 and with five meter high ceilings. These rooms that are 70m2 come with a copper free standing bath, lounge area, walk-in wardrobe and desk area.

Das Stue Hotel view from Stue Suite

Lovely Autumn View from Stue Suite

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Desk area Stue Suite

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Freestanding copper bath

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Design detail – Art reflecting in table

Spa

The Susanne Kaufmann Boutique Spa has treatment rooms, a 16-meter indoor swimming pool and sauna. The spa was gorgeous and has a real relaxing feel about it. I was intrigued by the design of the sauna which was built over the swimming pool, it just completed the experience. The shallow end of the swimming pool acts as the jacuzzi area and was nice to use after I completed my swim.

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Das-Stue-Berlin-Boutique-Hotel.--spa

Breakfast

The breakfast eating place was lovely and a nice way to start your day. The egg choices were amazing, I enjoyed the Iberico Omelette with chunky chips presented in a hot pot. The coffee was excellent along with the service. The choices of luxury meats and pastries certainly remains with you.

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Breakfast area

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Conclusion

SO/ Berlin Das Stue Hotel lives up to its Danish name in many ways. Lots of the areas feel like a living room, especially the libraries around the staircase. The hotel feels so comfortable you do not want to leave it. The classic facade and old details of the former embassy are beautiful integrated with the sleek and elegantly created interiors. Combine this with a location next to the Tiergarten, zoo and the West city centre of Berlin, and you have a great place to stay. Take the time to explore all the art pieces as you walk through the hotel. The pure elegance of the place and the calm surroundings are worth every penny spent.

 

Details

  • Room reviewed – Stue Room – from €281 (including breakfast)
  • Website: all.accor.com/hotel/B1Y6/
  • Address: Das Stue, Drakestrasse 1, 10787 Berlin, Germany
  • Phone: +49 30 311 722 0

 

About The Author

Arthur van de Laak

I am an active traveler, snowboarder and technology geek. I write about male fashion and worldwide travel destinations.

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