Arcotel Velvet

With respect to all the reviews on tripadvisor I decided to book the hotel as well. And I wasn't disappointed; far from it!

The Arcotel is best located on the popular Street "Oranienburger Straße", the subway "Friedrichstraße" is nearby, the rooms are extreme tasteful decorated and stylish and the staff is polite and helpful.

Before you book check the design of the Hotel - if you like it do not hesitate to save your stay in this breathtaking hotel!

Arrived in a deluge of rain and was a little disappointed to have a room overlooking a courtyard rather than the Oranienburger Strasse. However, it was a decent room. Satellite TV/DVD player and great furnishings including an enormous wet room/shower albeit in the middle of the room. But hey thats why you stay here- for something different!

In a lively area of town and brilliant for getting around. We did it all on foot bar the bus TXL to and from the airport. The hotel is placed at the top end of the the street near Oranienburger Tor and is very very close to the U Bahn.

Didnt bother with a 15 Euro breakfast but went down Friedrich Strasse (or something like that!!) and picked up a coffee, cake and roll for undfer 7 Euro for the 2 of us. There is a great pizzeria next to the hotel with enormous pizzas at great value.

If I go again I would definitely stay in this area of Berlin.

The hotel was recommended by TripAdvisor as a one of the top bargain deals in Europe and Arcotel fully deserves it. Only 5 minutes walk to the Hackescher Markt area and to the Friedrishstrasse but you really don't need to go anywhere if you look for good spots in Berlin. Probably the best hotel deal I've ever made.

Wonderful place for a hotel in the middle of the Schauenviertel, off Friedrichstrasse right next to Tacheles. Everything happens on Oranienburg but the hotel is quiet, friendly and well designed. Lovely large room and bathroom; we had a suite on the 6th floor with wonderful views.The website said 'kitchenette' but there wasn't even a kettle, however they produced one immediately when asked. We had coffee and museli and fruit in the cafe next door each morning (much better value than the hotel buffet for those who don't want a huge meal first thing in the morning). The only 'minus' was the lack of cupboard/drawer space for 2 of us staying almost a week.

Stayed for 6 nights on July. Really nice room with giant windows and a tastefully decoration (exactly like the website picts) . The staff is friendly . Hotel location is the best, with a lot of restaurants ,cafes and attractions in a walking distance. The breakfast is a little pricey but you can have it for half price at the nice cafe right next door.

A real boutique hotel. I strongly recommend it

My husband and I stayed for 7 nights at the Arcotel Velvet in Berlin this past July. The hotel was GREAT! Fantastic location, walking distance to great shopping, museums, bars and all kinds of restaurants right on our doorstep. We didn't eat at the Austrian restaurant downstairs, a bit pricey especially since we're veg., but many vegetarian options (falafels, italian, asian) just steps from the hotel.

We stayed in a suite on the top floor of the hotel. Very reasonably priced, spacious and clean. Great views of the Berlin rooftops out our front windows and funky views of the graffiti clad club out our back door.

Hotel staff was very pleasan, helpful and unpretentious.

Definitely one of our best hotel experiences ever.

We stayed at this hotel last spring based on positive reviews from Trip Advisor. This will add to those positive reviews. The hotel room is very comfortable and very modern chic - you have to like bold colors to stay here. The bed was cozy and there was a large plasma screen tv. I loved the floor to ceiling windows; we had a view of the street and thought it interesting to watch people come and go. Our room was on the third floor so we didn't have any problem with noise from the street. The toilet and shower are separate from the room but there is no door for privacy. This wasn't a big deal for us. However, the sink was a strange size - it was unusually large and, being short, I had a difficult time reaching the faucet handles. I thought the corridor from the elevator to the rooms was too dark but I guess this was part of the whole "mod" look. We didn't go to the bar since there was too much cigarette smoke for my comfort (the lobby which is right off the bar also smelled smokey). We did try the breakfast buffet downstairs, which was delicious though a bit pricey. Other days we just walked down the street to a cafe and had coffee and pastries. We liked the location of the hotel which was close to the museums and the subway. It's a great hotel for couples or singles; not for families. We would definitely stay here again if we're in Berlin.

Stayed at the hotel for 7 nights in August.

All staff were very friendly. The room was immaculate and decorated in a modern yet comfortable style. Rooms have air conditioning and external blackout blinds were good touches.

The room had a large shower with a glass door which was within a curtained room, which also housed a large sink. The toilet was in a separate room from the bedroom and shower area. At first I thought having the shower in the main room would lack privacy, but actually it was fine.

The hotel is located on a street with a lot of excellent bars and restaurants. The U and S bahn stops are only 1 minute walk from the hotel and the tram stops directly oppsite the hotel. The hotel is in an excellent location for visiting many of the sights Berlin has to offer.

The hotel is also secure with a digital safe in the room and to get access to the rooms you have to use your room card to activate the lift. Although I should mention that this is a very safe and friendly are.

I would definately recommend this hotel and I am in fact planning on booking another holiday here soon!

This is a great hotel in a perfect location. The noise from the street is ok, we didn't lose any sleep over it. The design aspect can mostly be found in the rooms, there are many nice little details that are worth checking out. The hotel personnel is young but knowledgable and helpful. I would definitely come back again.

With respect to all the reviews on tripadvisor I decided to book the hotel as well. And I wasn't disappointed; far from it!

The Arcotel is best located on the popular Street "Oranienburger Straße", the subway "Friedrichstraße" is nearby, the rooms are extreme tasteful decorated and stylish and the staff is polite and helpful.

Before you book check the design of the Hotel - if you like it do not hesitate to save your stay in this breathtaking hotel!

My friend and I stayed here last weekend and loved the hotel.

Arcotel is in the perfect location - walking distance to the tourist sights and shops, and right on the main street for bars and restaurants, so no need to walk far or use public transport at night. 30 seconds walk to the U-Bahn if you don't enjoy walking.

The rooms were lovely, comfortable bed, good facilities and very clean. Mini bar was overpriced though but aren't they always!

The staff were friendly although our rooms weren't ready when we arrived mid afternoon. Didn't use the restaurant or the bar - far more interesting/cheap places and a great deal of variety as you make your way up the street. Have dinner and cocktails in the Singapore restaurant across the road.

Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff who gave us excellent recommendations. Well appointed rooms, very large for the money by European standards. Highly recommended for travelers under 35 looking to explore Berlin's nightlife. Fantastic location near plenty of restaurants and nightlife, with good access to transit to explore the rest of Berlin. Street noise can be loud, so if you plan to go to bed early, request a room facing the back. The restaurant serves an ample all you can eat buffet (including champagne), but at 15 Euros per person is a pricey option, and can be easily skipped given all the great places to eat nearby.

Two couples spent 3 nights at the Velvet in late November. It's unique, interesting, and comfortable. Felt special staying there. Good location with public transportation at the door. Lots of nice restaurants and bars in the area--all sorts of ethnic restaurants as well as a variety of traditional German places. Easy walk to the Museum Island and many other sights. Staff members were very helpful to us in everything from good dining recommendations, to providing directions and travel tips, to printing out our airline bording passes for us the night before our flight home. We aren't big breakfast eaters, so we got our breakfasts at a little place next door that had pastries, cereal, coffee, etc.

A modern, stylish hotel, the Arcotel Velvet was meant to be a little bit special, given that we were celebrating our first wedding anniversary there. The rooms are comfortable and well-designed - excepting the clothes rails which do not allow long garments to hang down! I loved the décor of the entire hotel, with the depictions of 20th century icons. Berlin is a grand, modern city and the Arcotel Velvet is in tune with this. The late-night bar was a good place to relax and splurge on well-made cocktails. It's not a cheap hotel, but I would definitely return for a special occasion.

Great Hotel in a very vibrant and upcoming location. A few ladies of the night around after dark but this only adds to the character of the place. We stayed in a top floor suite and the decor was sparse but functional and the windows with fantastic views and blackout blinds were great. Overall a fun experience.

Why stay in a crappy chain where you could be in any city in any country when you could stay in a unique, funky, memorable hotel like the Arcotel Velvet Berlin.

The bathroom is part of the room (there is no door separating it from the bedroom) and it's amazing - a real feature. And it still offers privacy (unless you really want to look).

A million TV channels, lots of space, a mini-kitchenette with small hob and fridge, great breakfast in the restaurant, attentive staff, the list goes on.

It's not even that expensive.

Great location - right in the middle of some great bars and local culture.

Just returned from Long weekend in Berlin, staying at the Arcotel. Really nice hotel with very comfortable trendy style rooms ideal. If you're planning to be out and about all day sightseeing, then this place is ideal, excellent location and most of the sites are 30 min walk away and there is a tram stop right outside and tube 100m away. Plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs around the hotel of all styles, no need to wander more than 15 mins of the hotel to find something you'll like. Found wandering back to the hotel bar after dinner was good way to finish the evening as the cocktails they serve are really good and the bar is nice place to unwind in. Other than the nice rooms and good bar, hotel doesn't offer many facilities, breakfast will set you back 15 euro pp and it's ok if you can't be bothered to go out and find somewhere. One word of warning. If you come out of the hotel late in the evening and turn right, after about 20m or so you will start to come across 'ladies of the night' standing around. Whilst it is a warning, don't be put off as that's the main direction of the bars and restaurants. Unless you are single or group of guy(s), then you'll have no hassle at all, otherwise you may have to say 'No' - a lot!!

Decided to booked this hotel on our recent trip to Berlin based on the reviews given from Tripadvisor members and we were not disappointed. The location was just great and the hotel was new, trendy and it was a refreshing change from the standard hotel chains which we would usually stay in. The staff was friendly and efficient. We have requested for a late check out and was quickly obliged. Just outside the hotel are many restaurants. One in particular which we went to was a Cuban restaurant called QBA. The food was good, great cocktails and live Cuban music too. The place had a great atmosphere and was very reasonably priced. Both hotel and restaurant comes highly recommended !

Great hotel. Greeted by friendly and efficient staff. Excellent room although probably not everyones taste. Comfy bed. Situated on Orianburger Strasse with many great Bars and Restaurants in easy walking distance. Most sites on east side of Berlin easily accessible even on foot, although S Bahn,U Bahn and Tram stop all within yards.

Excellent bar, apparently one of the top 5 in Berlin which is a fair boast.

I just returned from a week at the Arcotel and had a wonderful time. What a fun hotel! The hotel has an unusual design and great floorplan. We were looking for a hotel that reflected the international travel, yet provided a spacious and comfortable living area. We stayed in a suite and had more room than we needed. The floor to ceiling windows were fabulous and gave a great view of the area. When needed, there were shutters and blinds you could use to afford privacy. The hotel staff were very helpful and friendly. Checkin and checkout were efficient. Our only complaints were that the bed was a bit hard and the pillows were lumpy and not great. However, we would stay here again in a heartbeat. The hotel is in a great location - near the U-bahn and S-bahn. There are great restaurants right across the street. We felt perfectly safe and did not find the night life uncomfortable. If you are looking for a "funky" hotel with lots of personality, then this is a great choice.

We booked this hotel because of its unique rooms and great location and were not disappointed. The hotel is in a great location with lots of restaurants and really great shops nearby - no chains in sight!! The other great benefit of this place was its proximity to the main sights and public transport.

Many reviews have commented on the fact that the bathroom is not walled off from the room but I loved it - it's something different from the stock standard hotel room!! There is a curtain which acts as a wall, and in our room, the shower was in a corner so I couldn't see my hubby having a shower anyway. The toilet is completely separated which is the most important issue - after all, that would be way too much information!!! The welcome pack with information on Berlin was really handy and very welcoming. One thing I did find a little unusual was that the toiletries weren't replenished on a daily basis - not sure why but it didn't bother us as we'd collected more than enough little shampoos and soaps on our travels to last a long time! Free internet access was great as well to check your emails.

My only word of advice is not to bother with the bar downstairs - we found that drinks were pretty cheap in Berlin with lots of choice, but the Arcotel's drink prices were not competitive, so we gave the bar a miss.

Clean, uber-modern (and easy on the eye) and incredibly friendly staff. Small touches like room scent and dvd player went a long way. Rooms are smallish but well laid out and contemporary. Punches above it's weight as a value proposition. Location is great, at food/bar heart of East Berlin. Note ample splattering of colour red!!

A very nice hotel in a fantastic location. The hotel decoration is diferent and the location fantastic, if i return to Berlin I will stay here again.

Surrounded by a lot of good restaurants, the only con, perhaps, the breakfast, a little bit expensive

Really nice hotel

I decided to go to Berlin rather suddenly and had one night to find a room -- the Arcotel was one of a very few places in my price range that had both availability and a location in Mitte. Despite some of the reviews (particularly with regard to the bathrooms), I said, as others have, 'Screw it, it's Berlin,' and booked a room. Upon arriving, I knew I'd made the right choice -- despite showing up as a backpacker (enormous rucksack, exhausted look, clothes and hair a mess, that lovely train smell), I was greeted as though I was someone's long lost sister and as though my arrival had saved the day. I was checked in instantly, treated with respect and friendliness (not always the case, given my age and the backpack) ('How was the trip?' etc.), and given a room on the fourth floor with a stunning view of the street. I was surprised that I had such a great view since I'd booked via hotels.com.

The room was surprisingly spacious -- queen size bed, generous desk, plenty of bathroom space, a chair, and a wardrobe, and I never found myself tripping over things or felt crowded. As a bonus, the bathtub in the room was enormous and quite deep; I took several baths during my stay, as the tub was just that good (and the shower gel provided smells delicious). It was well decked out -- leather trimmings, black and red, plenty of punchy personality -- to the point where I felt a bit too uncool to be staying there.

There are a lot of 'little things' that take a bit of getting used to. While the room does have blackout curtains, with floor to ceiling windows that's a bit of an impossibility to begin with, but the curtains are also divided into three panels, meaning there are always a few small gaps through which light comes in. If you are absolutely insistent that there be no light whatsoever, then, yes, you will find that a problem (so bring an eye mask or stay somewhere else). As others have mentioned, the open(ed) bathroom gives more space and dimension to the room, but it could be a bit awkward if you're not on good terms with your roommate. If you're alone, however, it's great, as you can pull back the curtains and have a clear view of the TV while in the tub.

Another note: this is not, I'll admit, a family friendly hotel; unless you've discussed the facts of life with your children, the 'male pill' condom pack might be a bit awkward, and it isn't hidden. On the other hand, I can't imagine a more perfect place for a hipster couple to spend a romantic weekend, so take that as you will. The hotel as a definite personality -- young, cool, etc. -- and if that appeals to you, this is the place for you. If you're looking for a quiet, cozy place to retire to after a long day of sightseeing, you might be better off booking somewhere else.

But for adults... it's hard to beat. The bar downstairs, while expensive, is fantastic, and the bartender will give good recommendations if you ask (and he's quite funny as well, if you like caustic). The prostitutes are out on the street, yes, but they're completely nonaggressive and harmless; I didn't encounter any drug dealers, so I can't speak to that. Despite being a young woman alone, I didn't feel at all uncomfortable wandering around the streets at 2AM, even while slightly tipsy (and sometimes more than that). The location is excellent -- there's always something going on the moment you step outside (although you don't hear it, thank God, once you're in your room), plenty of restaurants (expensive and not), bars, clubs, stores, etc. As far as internet access is concerned, there's a great cafe with free wireless literally next door to the hotel and an internet cafe near the S-Bahn stop -- you really don't need to get away from the hotel to find what you need. But if you'd like to see more of Berlin, there's a U-Bahn station literally around the corner and an S-Bahn station a two minute walk away. (If coming from the train station: change to the U-Bahn; that exit is closer to the hotel than the S-Bahn and you will see the hotel as soon as you turn onto the street.)

The hotel staff were incredibly professional and helpful -- they found me a laundromat nearby and gave me instructions when I asked. Only two minor hang ups: I decided to extend my stay by one night and was charged the full price for that night (or double what I paid on hotels.com); I should have checked to see what the rate was when I made that agreement, so that was rather foolish. As for the other: a bottle of hairspray went missing from my room; I choose to think someone on the housekeeping staff picked it up and forgot to put it back down (as I frequently returned to my room to find that housekeeping had arranged my toiletries more artistically), as ... who steals hairspray? Really. As this happened on my last night and I left early, I never recovered it, although the hotel staff did say they'd look into it for me (but, again, given the time of the disappearance and my train the next morning, it was futile and I knew it). Nothing else ever went missing from my room and my bags appeared untouched the entire time, so I find it amusing rather than a theft. If you are concerned about that, there's an in room safe -- it was actually large enough to hold my seventeen inch laptop: a truly unexpected (and far too welcome) surprise.

I knew as soon as I arrived in Berlin that I was coming back; when I do, I will definitely stay here.

This was one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had. We loved the location. The staff and the room where also great. I would highly

recommend staying at this hotel.

Berlin has a great vibe and its worth checking out.

My boyfriend and I have just returned from a four night stay in this hotel and were more than impressed with both Berlin itself and the level of service we recieved in the Arcotel Velvet.

The hotel itself is in an excellent location and can be found very easily from the Orienburger Tor stop. We found the staff more than helpful and extremely friendly. My boyfriend ripped his jacket, they took it away to get repaired and it was fixed and in our room the following day. They also made a huge effort when we asked them for the best place to hire bikes and came back with an address and full directions in a matter of minutes. The hotel is very modern and the rooms are wonderful with fabulous views of Orienburger Strasse. Although half the room is window and the hotel is located on a main street and next to a nightclub, we heard very little noise unless the window was open. Mitte itself (in our opinion) is the place to stay, it's a very central location for all the main sights with an artistic, bohemian and very relaxed feel, there are literally hundreds of bars, cafes and resturants to choose from right on your doorstep.

Don't let other reviews talking about drug dealers and prostitutes put you off. We didn't encounter one person selling drugs and although prostitutes are out on the streets at night, they are definately not in your face. It's not a seedy or intimidating area and the streets are as much filled with young families, couples and old peple as they are with ladies of the night! To be honest, it's more fascinating and a bit sad rather than scary or seedy.

Things to do:

Hiring bicycles, if you can, cannot be recommended enough. It's such a good way to see a large part of the city. Get a good map and get out there and join the hoards of locals on their bikes.

The museum at Checkpoint Charlie is worth a vist, it's a bit run down but packed to the rafters with information about the turbulent history of Berlin.

Try the singapore resturant right opposite the hotel. It's usually pretty busy after 7pm but the food is excellent and the staff are really nice and friendly. It stays open to about 3am on the weekends too.

There is a venue right next door to the hotel (on the right as you come out the door). It's a lively wee outdoor place with great music and a kind of festival feel. It seems to stay open all night on a Saturday night as we got up to catch our flight on sunday morning and it was still going. If anyone still feels young enough, it seems to be the place to go!

Have a look around Auguststrasse area. There's a corner of about three or four bars and resturants and it's really bustling and relaxed. The resturants serve people outdoors and there are some people playing guitars on the streets, it's a really nice area to eat.

If your a coffee fan, go to the Espresso Ambulanze next door to the hotel (on the left as you come out). The guy in there is really lovely and he serves a great cappuccino

Overall, we found Berlin to be an excellent place to visit for a few days and I cannot fault the hotel in any way. The location too was top class...great stay!

Can I just finally give a warning to anyone flying with the COWBOY airline RYANAIR!!

We thought we were doing a good thing by putting our luggage into one bag and checking only one item in. The 'computer-says-no' robot-lady at the desk informed us we would be charged €104 as our one bag was overweight, even though our stuff would not have been overweight if we had two bags to check in. THIS IS RYANAIR'S WAY OF GETTING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OUT OF PEOPLE...DO NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT ANY MORE!!! Be careful, if there are two of you going, take two bags and check them both in...practically every other person in our queue was being sent off to pay something towards Ryanair, they're a bunch of cowboys!

Anyway, amen and have a great time in Berlin..

I shared a junior suite with 2 friends on the 6th floor facing out onto Oranienburger Strasse. Amazing view through the enormous slanted windows. A spectacular room. I would have to say this was the best hotel room I have ever stayed in. The room featured a breakfast table and also a lounge area, flat screen tv, dvd player and a choice of cds. The double bed had individual duvets and was quite large so it felt like separate beds. The person on the sofa bed was also very satisfied. Loads of space within the room and plenty of cupboard space too. The kitchen has a kettle, fridge and hob. Impeccably clean. Bathroom very satisfactory.

In the junior suite the bathroom was separate to the room, as opposed to a queen room where the bath/shower (although screened) was open plan.

I viewed a queen room which was very impressive too.

Initially we chose not to have breakfast in the hotel as it seemed pricey. However, after 2 successive mornings of wandering around the locality in search of a menu to satisfy everyone's needs I would recommend the hotel buffet breakfast. It was superb. I am a vegetarian and generally suffer when it comes to European buffets, but there was plenty of choice beyond the typical meat options. The cereals & muesli accompanied by a variety of seeds and yogurt were divine. Plenty of fresh breads, pastries and good coffee make it worthwhile. If you book the breakfast the night before you can avail of the reduced rate at 12 euro.

The staff at Arcotel Velvet were very friendly and helpful. This hotel is in a great location if you want to stay in Mitte and are interested in a more bohemian area. Numerous buses, trams and the underground are available outside the door of the hotel so the shopping districts and sites are within easy reach. I would recommend the Welcome card for short stays. A 48 hour or 72 hour travel card are available which also act as a discount card for some museums and sites.

We booked this hotel through laterooms.com. Not the cheapest in Berlin, but we wanted to be in a good location and in a hotel of a decent standard, and we were very pleased with this choice.

The Mitte district is very central to all attractions, and the hotel has lots of plus points in its location. A variety of bars, cafes and restaurants are in the immediate neighbourhood. The hotel has excellent transport links with tram, S bahn and U Bahn- all almost on the doorstep, so it's quick and easy to get around. The day passes for the transport system are really good value, especially as a family-15 euros for unlimited travel for a day for 4 of us.

Try the Oranien cafe for a fab breakfast. (Turn right out of the hotel, walk down to where you see the S bahn and it is on the opposite corner). Beautiful setting, large round tables, very light and spacious, newspapers, mags available for relaxing with. We were there on a Sunday just after 10am, but it filled up very quickly after that time.We didn't try the hotel for breakfast as this cafe had more choice and was better value. Also try one of the small cafes across from the hotel (to the left as you look from the hotel)- very good, but the service is slow, so not if you're in a rush! The cafe next door is also good for a coffee and cake.

Hackesher Mkt is worth a visit. Only a couple of stops on the tram. Walk round the corner from the hotel to get the tram on the way, but on the way back the tram stops just opposite the hotel. Good shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment. We ate at a Spanish tapas bar and it was a good evening.Also useful for a supermarket if you want to buy some bottled water, snacks etc.

Another dinner recommendation is the Cuban restaurant. Turn right out of the hotel, cross the road and it's just down there. Good range, healthy portions and good value. Don't eat at the Italian on the corner next to the hotel -very average.

Overall, we found eating out in Berlin to be really good value when compared to other European cities, and even to places in the UK. Plus, the food and service is MUCH better than the UK!

Some reports say that the hotel is noisy. It was fine when we were there, but perhaps at different times of year..?

Reception staff were friendly and efficient.

Re the rooms- very clean, and modern. We really liked them. If you read other reviews you will know that the shower and sink are open to the bedroom apart from a thin curtain, however, it really isn't a problem as the mirror pulls over screening most of the area. Also, it can be an advantage as the mirror is double sided, so if 2 people are trying to get ready at once, you can have one on each side! The toilet is separate.

We liked the security aspect of the hotel- you have to put your room key into the lift, and it only stops at that floor, so no one else can access it. Didn't like the lounge/ bar in the hotel - cold (but it was February), smells of smoke and overpriced compared to every bar within 30 seconds walk. Cocktails and beer abound on every bar menu and lots of happy hour offers.

Worth visiting -Alexander Platz tower, Tiergarten,outdoor art gallery (graffitti art on the wall), Berlin Zoo, - lots of other attractions depending on your own taste.

We would stay here again, as we feel it is the best location, and probably one of the best hotels in the Mitte.

Stayed for 2 nights in March. Amazing hotel, friendly staff, excellent breakfast buffet, cool bar (although pricey compared to those across the street). Rooms were immaculate, the bathroom was a bit of a surprise though... make sure you know whoever you're staying with "well" (",) Only a short walk to shopping areas/ tourist spots. Will definately return to the Acrotel next time I visit Berlin!

Just got back from a week at the Hotel Velvet and was very pleased. We booked the suite on the 7th floor and felt we got great value for the money. Hotel Velvet is located basically at the corner of Orianburg Strasse and Fredrich Strasse. It's a 15 minute walk (max) to Museum Island or 15 minutes to Under Den Linden. If you don’t want to walk, there is an S Bahn stop 1 block away and the tram is either right in front of the hotel or a 2 block walk, depending on which direction you are headed in. Lots of restaurants and bars on Orianburg Strasse; Hackesher Hof is just a tram stop away and has even more places to eat and drink. Buffet breakfast was very good, service was very good as well. Orianburg Strasse is a Berlin night hotspot so expect to hear some street noise through the double glazed windows. TV had 30+ channels including CNN International and BBC.

We loved the Arcotel Velvet -- the design theme was consistent throughout the hotel and incredibly inspiring. The room was large, spacious, and unique -- the sound system was perfect for listening to newly-bought CDs from Dussmann's -- the bathroom was a bit odd, since it converted into a full shower. We weren't sure if this was a design move or if we were in a disability-focused room.

The bar has expensive but hand-crafted drinks and free internet. The area was fantastic and alive -- lots of Indian and Singapore food, youth, Vegas-like prostitutes (the other reviews are spot on...they're there but not pushy or annoying...more funny) and nearby shopping.

If traveling to the hotel via public transport, take the U-bahn to Orianenburger Tor...it is much closer and convenient than the S-bahn to Orianenburger Strasse.

I used credit card reward points to book a room at the Arcotel Velvet for my mother and I who were passing through Berlin on our way back to the States. We were both wowed by the impecable style, orientation to detail, and service we experienced at Arcotel Velvet. Unexpectedly, we were given the large street-facing suite on the 6th floor. The accomodations and view were unbeatable and I appreciated that I was extended the curtosey of being placed in this fantastic room. We were also extreemely pleased with the quality and service we experienced at Lutter & Wegner resturaunt, located in the first floor of the hotel. Following a fantastic dinner, we were able to rent and enjoy an English-language DVD thorough the hotel (this did involve a short 3 block walk to the rental store, but was simplified by the use of the hotel's membership card and return-service). I would highly recommend the hotel to anyone with modern sensibilities looking for a unique and tasteful hotel experience in East Berlin. I plan on returning myself!

While i would take on board the last review and the issue of overcharging this hotel still represents superb value for money given the location and the excellent rooms. I have stayed here on numerous occassions over the last two years and have always found the service excellent and the value for money exceptional.

There are numerous cafes/restaurants in the area, so the breakfast option is worth skipping, unless you are in a rush.

The suites are extremely spacious with fabulous views and if you can get a similar room in London, Edinborough or Paris for less than twice the price i would be surprised.

All in all a great choice for location, room and service - any shortcomings of the bar and breakfast are more than compensated for by the myriad of choice on the hotel doorstep.

I was in Berlin on an academically-related business deal in Mitte, and my artistically inclined colleagues were impressed that I was staying at "the fishbowl" but warned me not to forget to close the curtains!

I did in fact have one of the front rooms, which had an entire wall of glass part of the hotel frontage. Being on the first floor, I was entirely visible to the outside world (unless the curtains were drawn).

The shower and washbasin area is part of the room, a trend I've seen in many similarly priced hotels attempting to be trendy whilst cramming more stuff into a small space the world over. Not for couples or room-sharers who like privacy from one another. I didn't mind it though as I was by myself.

I normally choose hotels with top services as I spend so much time traveling, this one however was chosen just for the location. It's fairly basic service-wise. I would recommend this hotel to people who get a good deal on it and think it's interesting and exotic to be in a room with a funny layout and an artsy decor.

Arcotel enjoys a great location. The hotel is located in the Mitte area and is connected by both U Bahn and S Bahn subway lines. The first night we were checked in a room at the back of the building which wasn't ideal, as there's a bar/disco downstairs that will keep you awake all night. In fairness, this room has a nice terrace which is shared by guests of the rooms next to us, which we liked but we couldn't stand the noise. So we requested to move to one of the rooms at the front the next morning. The hotel staff was nice and professional, and they delivered what they promised. This room facing the front with a better view is bigger and has a nicer shower. The Lounge at the hotel has a cool cocktail selection, worth a try if you stay there. It was overall a pleasant experience. A cool place!

This hotel offers great value. The combination of style, location and price can't be beat. The giant windows are great (and don't worry, the street-side rooms are quiet), the rooms look exactly like they do on the hotel Web site (minimalist chic), and the location is in the heart of one of the most interesting parts of Berlin, and a short walk to many of the major museums and sites. The street the hotel is on is a bit touristy, but walk a few blocks in either direction and you get away from that. This definitely felt like a hotel for younger people, but probably not great for families.

We stayed at the Arcotel in September 2007 and couldn't have picked a better hotel if we'd tried. We booked a suite (more of an apartment) on the top floor, which was great value compared to other cities. The suite was spotlessly clean, had 4 rooms with great views and a very comfy bed. We didn't have the breakfast, as we had read it was very expensive, but there was no shortage of places to eat on Oranienburger Strasse, so no problem there. Also, don't get too concerned about the 'Working Girl's', they don't bother anyone (who doesn't want to be). Also, the post atomic looking hippy centre (I can't remember the name sorry), is definatly worth a look. We were initially put off but went in on our last night and realised we'd almost missed out on a bit of gem.

Myself and my partner are in our thirties, so were aprehensive about the hotel and area possibly being too young for us. But on the contry, we found it to be a bit of something for everyone.

The only bad point I can think of is on occasion the staff, while friendly, were lacking in customer service experience. When we were leaving, we were not informed that our cab had arrived (even though they booked it), eventually the cab driver asked us while sat in reception if we were his customer (luckily my German is good). Also, whenever we went to the bar, the barman was always trying to push us to buy cocktails, when the majority of the time, all we wanted was a beer.

But these were very minor gripes compared to the overall experience, which was very enjoyable. I definately recommend the Arcotel Velvet and Berlin, a great hotel and fantastic city!

My husband and I stayed here for a weekend and we really liked it.Room was extremely clean and we actually got what we requested - one that was far away from the elevator shaft - which is rare.

We got a room facing the street at the front of the hotel but weren't bothered by noise at all. We struggled to get the blinds closed completely but given that we were in Berlin over a grey, wintery weekend there was no problem with light.

Really liked the open plan bathroom, although my husband noticed that the shower was prone to sudden short, sharp increases in temperature - he tends to take hotter showers than I do, so beware of that if you're partial to parboiling yourself too.

We took breakfast in the hotel each day - no doubt we could have found cheaper options in one of the cafes outside, but we noticed that most of these came with the cold meats and cheese that characterise German breakfasts which we don't eat, so taking advantage of the hotel buffet each morning was a much better option for us. You have the option to help yourself to champagne too if boozing at breakfast is your thing.

Our only gripes with the hotel was that we had two small single duvets rather than one large one and the pillows were so flat and tiny that we woke up with sore necks - my husband's remained painful for a week afterwards. However, the receptionist took the time to ask us about this when we checked out which I thought was good.

Watch out for the hotel bar prices - beers here were 6 euro compared to 3 euro outside.

Overall I would recommend this place and stay there again.

I stayed at the Velvet for two nights recently, and was extremely happy with this hotel. Service was first-rate, room was nice, clean and modern, breakfast buffet outstanding, location ideal.

The only things I would comment on that were not 100% positive were: if you opened the window in my room (which was in an easterly direction) you could hear music from a night club down the street, a bit annoying. But being October I didn't have the window open much. The other thing (very minor) was that when you check in, you're provided with two cards: one is a key card, the other you insert into the wall to turn on the power supply of your room. This is very modern and certainly energy-efficient, which I applaud. But we were not told of this when we checked in, and being less than techno-savvy, there were a few annoying minutes when we tried to figure out how the hell to turn on the power!

That being said, there are many excellent reasons to stay at the Velvet. The front desk staff was extraordinarily helpful, meeting every need promptly and more. Certainly they provided better service than most. The room was exactly as advertised (no nasty surprises): very clean & well kept, beds comfortable, bathroom facilities very good. We debated whether to take the breakfast buffet, since it was 12 Euros and not included with the room. However, it was entirely worth it, especially if you're hungry. A really first-class breakfast.

The location on Oranienburgstrasse is very convenient also. There's an U-Bahn station literally around the corner, and an S-Bahn station about 2 minutes walk. There are also a multitude of restaurants in the neighborhood, just about anything your palate desires. As an aside, Several blocks down is the Yi Spa, where they give an absolutely incredible massage. For those with physical problems or just wanting to relieve some stress, Yi Spa gave me the best massage I have ever had (out of about 500+ I have had). The front desk staff set this up for me.

I enthusiastically recommend the Velvet!

This is a lovely hotel in the Mitte area of Berlin. Very close to several U Bann Stations. Rooms were clean, good sized and well decorated with modern decor. There is a Flat Screen TV with DVD player - so be sure to bring some CD's if you are staying - we forgot! Rooms were quiet given the busy street outside,

The only thing that could have been included was breakfast - which there was a charge of 12 Euro per person for. If you walk outside the hotel there are plenty of eating placed closeby. The Indian place directly across the road was really nice for dinner and drinks - There are also a few italian's nearby.

All in all a really nice 4 star hotel

Great place to stay. Oranienburger strasse is definitely a cool are of the city and this hotel fits with that personality. I would just say that this is a choice for younger-crowds, the hotel is located in

a party area. A bit of noise during the weekends.

We stayed 3 nights and would recommend the hotel to anyone wanting to be in a great location for a few nights. As stated in other reviews the hotel is stylish and modern chic. Staff were great, nothing too much trouble.

Breakfast is OK, but a bit prices, there are plenty of coffee places adjacent offering good food at ½ the price.

The ONLY drawback was the very short clothes rail, only 5 or 6 inches, not enough for too many items, a real design oversight. They supplied a iron and ironing board so I could press a shirt each day (as I couldn’t hang them) but this may be a pain if you have a few suits or lots of dresses, shirts, i.e staying for more than just a few nights.

If the above is no issue, then this place is 5/5 all the way. And the location is simply fantastic, bars, restaurants, easy walking to lots of the centre and adjacent to the metro.

Berlin was wonderful, well worth a visit and the people everywhere were great.

We booked via lastminute.com and got a free upgrade to ‘superior’ room, slightly larger than standard.

Once you have booked, phone and reserve your room. Unfortunately the Germans are still big smokers so none smoking rooms are not the norm, phone and reserve.

It's a nice hotel and right in the middle of everything. It's very modern. The shower and sink were in the room, separated by a curtain and the toilet was in a separate room. Our room looked onto the street which was hopping even at 4am. It's a little odd that anyone walking down the hall could find out if you were in the room or not (room numbers are lit in red or green)

All in all, it's a very nice hotel, but I don't know if I'd stay there again.

Have just returned from a 4 day trip to Berlin. This hotel was 1st class. The rooms were really nice. We had a quite room with a conventional bathroom. It is very close to the Uban and the Sban which made it really easy to travel around. A really good place to eat was just on the corner from the Sban underground. We ate there morning and evening and the staff were great. Turn right when you leave the hotel and walk to the Sban underground.

If you really want to shop you should stay near the main shopping area. The KaDaWe is like Harrods.

Booked this hotel after reading reviews and was not disappointed.Stayed for 3 nights,asked for a room at the front,view of the Oranienburg Strafze,which we got.

Check in was easy,very helpful and polite staff,all spoke English well.Rooms were smart,very clean,and the open plan bathroom/shower set up was great.Flatscreen TV,DVD,CD included,plus A/con.

The full drop windows at the front were very revealing,so care should be taken when drawing the curtains,otherwise the whole street will see you in all your glory !

Paid £270 for 3 nights,booked with Venere,com.

Breakfast was buffet style,with a good selection,cost 12 euro's per person.We did not have this with our room booking and found lots of nice cafes in the surrounding area that were much cheaper,although we did have breakfast on the Sunday for convenience.

The hotel bar was nice but a bit expensive for my liking,8 + euros for a basic cocktail,but it did not stop us enjoying a night cap or two.

The hotel is located in Mitte and very handy for the tourist attractions,Reichstag,TV Tower,River Spee etc.,with trams running right past the doors of the hotel.

All in all I would recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a reasonable hotel in a good location

I really enjoyed my stay at the Arcotel Velvet. The hotel is nicely designed, cool without being flash. The welcome was warm too. Cocktails were good (and strong), breakfast was excellent.

Families should note that there is a certain amount of "street life" on Oranienberg Strasse at night.

My only gripe is that they managed to mess up my room reservation and I didn't get the suite that I wanted. The staff tried their best to make up for it but this is the only thing that stopped the Arcotel Velvet getting an "Excellent rating" from me.

The hotel is a superb base for couples and singles to explore Berlin, day and night.

Once again Trip Advisor helped us pick this hotel. Overall it did what we wanted, a modern boutique style hotel in Berlin at a reasonable price. The bathrooms were a little strange being part of the room separated by a net curtain, (so go with someone you are friendly with..) The bed was comfortable. FYI - the in room DVD player is hidden in the furniutre and the Infra Red could not see the front of the DYD player.. - hence you have to get out of bed to switch it off / change scenes / use the menu!

Location is fine, about 20 minute walk to the Brandenburg gate. There are lots of restaurants in the area. We were there during the transport strike and got round everywhere by mainly our feet and the odd taxi and everything was easily reached which we wanted to do.

Only bizarre thing is the internet access. In the rooms it is with a wire and wireless in the lobby. If you want a 24 hour pass, you have to decide on the wire or the wireless, so, its not possible to switch between the two locations (sometimes useful when my fionce wants to sleep in the morning. and I have insomnia....). However, this was quite easily solved by finding the coffeee shop next door (walk out of the hotel and turn left) which has free WIFI, power sockets and a great cappuccino.

A Vienna-based chain found an off-the-beaten path site to place this modern, concept hotel, and it mostly worked out. The front desk was consistently helpful, as was the barman. The free internet access at the bar almost always worked. The Manager appeared to practice avoidance, so it may be best to schmooze the front desk staff if you have any problems.

The room was just OK, but they are mostly very small with a full-wall window overlooking the street, and the ventilation is not good. Opening the window often lets in sewer smell which is also common on the street nearby. There was evidence of visitors from the abandoned buildings, on both sides, around the rooftop terraces - worth taking extra security precautions. The in-room conveniences are minimal, including a 14" PC monitor for a TV, some plastic furniture, non-functioning outside vents, a 2-burner electric range but with no pans or utensils available.

The noise level wasn't bad, except in the rear and on the upper-floor terraces, as the large, unimproved courtyard in the rear has an improvised cafe with loud music until late at night. But plenty of places to eat, drink and shop nearby, although the city center is at least a half-mile away.

First impressions were of a really nice hotel, in a great location, with pleasant, helpful staff. We had asked for a quiet room and were pleased to be allocated one at the back, given that the hotel is on a busy street. Unfortunately the noise from the surrounding bars and clubs kept us awake all three nights we were there, well into the early hours. One night, at 2am, it was so bad I had to take the mattress off my bed and drag it to the small corridor by the bathroom to get some respite. A great shame as otherwise the hotel is good value for money and I would have been very happy to go there again.

Hard surfaces and hard edges characterize the ARCOTEL Velvet. The bed was an odd combination of hard and lumpy, and the floor was so hard it was unpleasant to walk around barefoot. Couldn't they have sprung for a little padding over a concrete slab? Yes, the location is very convenient, but Oranienburger Strasse is also party central and rooms facing both the street and rear aren't quiet, despite special soundproofed windows. Even the room darkening panels barely covered the windows to filter out morning light. The staff was young and attractive but not especially knowledgeable about the city. When asked for recommendations for various restaurants or U-Bahn or S-Bahn directions to different sites they seemed unable to help.

I have stayed here several times. This is one of the best designed hotels that I have stayed in anywhere in the world at any price. To top it off he price is not bad either. If you want to splurge the suites are great, the double rooms are not bad either. I would only change the height of the bathtub (it is too tall to get in and out of easily). The location is great with easy access to transportation.

Unfortunately this is where the good ends and the bad begins. This is a hotel designed to represent the 21st Century but has few of those features. Wifi only in lobby and does not work well. Hot portion of the breakfast buffet is generally cold after 9 even though they serve till 11. On a previous trip they ruined a new jumper (sweater) just bought at Etro down the street and after being contacted the management referred me to Austria to their corporate offices who said that they would check into my claim and get back to me. I am still waiting.