NAME: SO/ Berlin Das Stue
ADDRESS: Drakestraße 1, 10787 Berlin
ROOMS: 78 rooms
Art meets luxury. Known as Berlin’s first luxury boutique hotel, Das Stue is housed in the former Royal Danish Embassy and much of its interior design and 1930s architecture still retains its grandeur. If you’re wondering what “Stue” means, it’s the Danish word for living room, which is exactly how I would describe the hotel’s cozy and inviting vibe. Expect a rich color palette, a striking but cozy mélange of textures and shapes, and whimsical animal motifs, all compliments of Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola.
PRE-ARRIVAL CORRESPONDENCE
I appreciated a pre-arrival email asking if I had any special requests. I requested an early check-in, so thank you for accommodating that and having the room ready as requested.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
The check-in process was flawless. It was personalized and intimate, and included a delicious welcome drink (that I may or may not have ordered on more than one occasion during my stay). Check-out was also a breeze.
NEIGHBORHOOD
The hotel is perfectly situated in the diplomatic enclave, right in the center of the city. It’s nestled in the lush Tiergarten park and adjacent to the Zoo. They also offer a special entrance to the Zoo for guests. Additionally, it’s walking distance to all the shopping, art, entertainment hot spots in both East and West Berlin.
TOILETRIES
The hotel uses its own branded toiletries. I don’t ever use hotel shampoos and conditioners, so I can’t say anything of its quality, but the other products smelled lovely and worked great. I also appreciated their commitment to sustainability by using big refillable bottles instead of small to-go bottles.
BED/PILLOWS
The bed and pillows were incredibly comfortable. There is a sleep menu available so you can order a wide variety of pillows and blankets.
ROOM AMENITIES/DECOR
Nespresso machine, a good hair dryer, plush robes, full length mirror, walk-in rainfall shower, minibar, near blackout curtains, vaulted ceilings, tall windows, and well-placed artwork and decor
ROOM SERVICE
Room service is available but it’s not 24 hours.
WIFI
The WiFi is complimentary and works well throughout the property.
WATER
There were two complimentary water bottles in the room.
TECHNOLOGY
There were enough outlets near the bed. You could also control the lights from the bedside.
TURN-DOWN SERVICE
The turn-down service was very personalized. There was a cup of nighttime tea and chocolate, and the slippers were personalized to both of our sizes.
HOTEL FAMILY
It’s part of the Accor Hotels family.
RESTAURANT/DINING
There are a few different restaurants and social spaces throughout the property. The Casual Terrace is perfect for a pre-dinner drink — the courtyard is well-designed and great for al fresco dining. I appreciated being able to tell the bartender the flavors I was looking for and trying his new concoctions. The breakfast buffet is extensive and caters to a wide variety of dietary restrictions. The lobby bar is also open late, so it’s perfect for a nightcap.
LOBBY
The sweeping staircases and spray of hundreds of tiny lights chandelier = spectacular.
SPA
There is a Susanne Kaufmann Spa, but it was all booked up so I didn’t get to check it out. The front desk was kind enough to get me an appointment at the nearby Guerlain Spa instead.
FITNESS
There is a gym on the premises. You can even book yoga lessons or one-on-one personal training sessions.
HOUSE CAR
There was no house car. This would have been a great amenity especially for all the hotspots in the vicinity.
SOCIAL MEDIA
There was no social media interaction before, during, or after my stay. This was a missed opportunity for guest engagement.
THE CULTUREUR NOTES
Overall, I was very impressed by the hotel, from the moment I walked in to the moment I checked out. The service, staff, and design were all fantastic. Thank you for the birthday cake — these small details make all the difference. My favorite parts of the hotel were: 1) the spectacular chandelier in the lobby; 2) the relaxing courtyard for cocktails; and 3) the cozy reading corners peppered throughout the hotel. I would absolutely stay here again, but I would like to see some more social media engagement.
Room #314 for 2 nights in June 2019
DISCLAIMER: I was a guest of the hotel, but opinions are my own and accurately reflect my stay.