Wilmina Hotel

The Wilmina Hotel could not be more special. As I overheard a member of staff say, the owners spent eleven years renovating the former women's prison complex, and it shows in every detail. The indoor facilities--a cosy drawing room for the guests, especially--and the outdoor areas--an enchanting wilderness garden--add to the attraction of the stay. The breakfast was excellent, and the afternoon tea, a welcome treat. I used the hotel as a private writing retreat and was not disappointed.

The location is in a well connected part of town, slightly outside the centre, but easy to get to via numerous S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines. There are plenty of excellent bars and restaurants at various price points. It's close to the upmarket shops of Kurfürstenstraße. The hotel is exceptionally stylish and comfortable and we felt immediately at home. The cocktail bar is superb with a thoughtful menu. There was a communal kitchen where we could grab tea/ coffee/ fruit/ fruit juice at any time, plus an honesty bar for beers and snacks. There are plenty of comfortable places to sit and relax, including a lobby with a gorgeous fireplace. The gym is perfectly equipped. We couldn't use the rooftop pool as it was closed due to ice, but can highly recommend the fantastic sauna. The sauna is open daily in the afternoon, and at other times by pre-booking. The shower was excellent, with good robes and towels. Wi-fi was reliable. The bed was very comfortable. Staff could not have been more helpful, providing advice on transport and places to eat. We chose not to have the hotel breakfast, instead visiting the attached cafe, which did lovely food and coffee.

Being in the hotel building felt very surreal, not only because of its history, but also because of how quiet it was—the stay was a real getaway from the city! I loved the little touches of the hotel, it had some elements of luxury, but just the right amount of it. The decoration and the vibe didn't feel overwhelming, and the best part was that you really get to relax here. The pool was small, but if you're lucky, you get to have it to yourself for a while. The hotel receptionists were very hospitable, and it was a nice gesture to accompany the guests to their room, but I felt like the introduction could be a bit shorter. About the breakfast—there weren't many options at all, but the quality of the bread was great. I'd only recommend getting breakfast in the hotel if you're too lazy to head out.

I liked the general layout. The gardens were beautiful---as was the whole setting

The hotel has a very nice and unique design. It was a peaceful and quiet place, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. We particularly liked the garden and lounge where we spent time with our 6-year-old daughter before bedtime. The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. They upgraded our room for free and provided us with recommendations for beautiful locations in Berlin.