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Views, Vaults and Extravagance at Berlin’s Hotel de Rome, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Written by Nate Robinson
The Berlin outpost of hotelier group Rocco Forte Hotels delivers offbeat luxury with charm to spare.
Reimagining space once claimed by East Berlin’s most famous bank, Hotel de Rome is a virtuoso in the city’s hotel scene. A slice of Italian opulence in the heart of one of Berlin’s most coveted neighbourhoods, every inch of the hotel showcases Rocco Forte’s unique take on high-end luxury – from its eccentric, palm-inspired lobby lit by a red neon birdcage to its spectacular swimming pool, hidden within a historic bank vault.
What’s the neighbourhood like?
Inhabiting the remains of the Staatsbank der DDR (the central bank of East Germany), Hotel de Rome also inherits its unrivalled position in central Mitte. The hotel directly overlooks the historic Bebelplatz (home to The Empty Library, a memorial commemorating the book burnings of 1933) as well as St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and the Berlin State Opera.
Walk 10 minutes east to cross the river and find yourself on the city’s legendary (and UNESCO World Heritage-listed) Museum Island, packed with a lifetime’s worth of things to admire. Highlights include the Neues Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of Egyptian artifacts, including the famed Nefertiti Bust; the Bode Museum, itself a neo-Baroque work of art stuffed with sculptures from the world’s greatest masters; and the brand-new Humboldt Forum, built on the remains of East Berlin’s old Palace of the Republic.
The area doesn’t suffer from a lack of modern galleries and excellent restaurants and bars: Alexanderplatz and Friedrichstrasse are both easily accessible by tram, with the latter being home to the Palace of Tears and Fotosgrafika Berlin, the city’s provocative new art gallery/dining space. The hotel is approximately a 60-minute train journey from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
Where am I sleeping?
Rooms are designed to honour the building’s financial history, with muted colour palettes and vault doors that hiss satisfyingly upon exit and arrival. The interiors are no less impressive: my Deluxe Terrace Room (from A$772), located on the hotel’s fourth floor, is a masterpiece of understated design, with bright pops of colour, careful pattern arrangements and a mosaiced bathroom with devilishly comfortable heated flooring.
Every Deluxe Terrace Room is just seconds away from the hotel’s flawless rooftop bar; even better, it features a spacious outside terrace of its own, subtly framed by tall, privacy-giving shoots of bamboo. Equipped with sun lounges, an outdoor table and views over St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and the city beyond, it makes for the perfect place to enjoy sundowner cocktails. (Dawn yoga the next morning was more difficult, but just as spectacular.)
During my stay, I was surprised by Hotel de Rome’s countless luxury touches, including an espresso machine (very Italian) and luxury bathroom amenities by Irene Forte.
What’s on the menu?
Breakfast at CHIARO Restaurant feels almost ambassadorial, with restrained colourways contrasting against Art Nouveau sculptures and a sun-dappled secret garden terrace. Breakfast isn’t included in room rates, but guests who add to their stay can enjoy a selection of German and Italian light bites, including a caviar and smoked salmon trolley, a decadent charcuterie station and champagne. A selection of freshly squeezed juices, barista-poured coffee and a small a la carte breakfast selection is also included in the cost – the eggs benedict is so light and delicately arranged that it seems almost criminal to eat it. A selection of freshly squeezed juices and barista-poured coffee is also available. The attention to detail was flawless: I was shocked to learn that after a single visit, the staff remembered my name and how I preferred my coffee.
As morning becomes afternoon, CHIARO transforms into a contemporary cocktail bar and Italian restaurant; a pared-back menu focuses on light antipasti, elegant crudo and exquisitely prepared pasta and focaccia. On the ground floor, Opera Court provides one of Berlin’s best high teas, featuring extravagant petit fours, the mid-weight Perrier Jouët Brut champagne and a selection of over 30 artisanal teas.
And how about drinks?
During the warmer season, Hotel de Rome’s secret weapon is its magnificent Rooftop Terrace, with lounges that draw heavy inspiration from the beaches of Sicily and Capri and unbeatable views over Berlin. As befitting such a picture-perfect setting, CHIARO’s bar team takes aperitifs seriously – drinks like the Sotto Chinotto (chinotto, white vermouth, lime, soda) make for a perfect afternoon sipper. The house negroni, bold and barrel-aged, was hands-down the best I had in Berlin.
What are the facilities like?
It’s clear from the moment you arrive that Rocco Forte Hotels has taken extreme care to honour Hotel de Rome’s heritage, but this becomes even more obvious as you descend past sealed vault doors, avant-garde artwork and shadowed corridors and into the hotel’s inner world. Once used to house stacks of jewels and gold, the basement vault now houses one of the city’s most lavish day spas, De Rome Spa, with treatments including relaxation rituals featuring Sicilian aromatherapies and honeymoon soaks with accompanying house-made pastries.
The hotel’s jewel vault has been masterfully reinvented as Berlin’s longest hotel pool. Marble pillars and mosaics of gold leaf mean that none of the vault’s original showstopping qualities has been diminished, and I cherished every moment spent splashing beneath the hotel.
What sets Hotel de Rome apart?
Well, everything.
Italian hotelier Rocco Forte Hotels’ signature eccentric luxury and Berlin’s free-spirited nature make for an unbeatable combination. Hotel de Rome’s unassailable position in central Mitte cements it – this is one of the city’s best stays.
The service was matchless in every regard, from reception to dining. Hotel de Rome’s concierge desk is considered one of the city’s finest, and when put to the test I found the advice warm, generous and meticulous. There’s a similar level of care everywhere, from the beautifully restored pool to breakfast service.
Who will love Hotel de Rome?
Those keen on discovering Berlin’s best during the day and having a fantastic place to kick back at night will love Hotel de Rome’s Rooftop Terrace and CHIARO Bar, while those seeking an authentic glimpse of old Berlin will love its cheeky – but sincere – celebration of the building’s heritage. A decidedly adult affair, Hotel de Rome may not be the best choice for young families, but sightseers, romantics and those accustomed to the finer things in life are guaranteed to relish every moment of their stay.
The writer was a guest of the hotel.
