The upper-middle-range Circus Apartments are nestled within one of East Berlin's top tourist neighborhoods, Mitte. Part of Berlin's Circus group, this boutique property consists of 22 apartments in a modern brick-and-glass building that's completely separate from their nearby hostel and hotel rooms. Recently renovated, the units are furnished in a trendy style and have full kitchens and washer/dryers. High-end touches like stainless steel appliances, iPads loaded up with kid- and tourist-friendly apps, balconies, and organic bathroom products come standard. A ground-floor cafe serves light snacks and breakfast for a fee. The Circus Apartments has agreements with nearby gyms, but travelers in search of spa amenities might prefer the nearby Adina Apartment Hotel.

The 23 plain, pleasant rooms in this hotel are set within a renovated Neo-Renaissance villa a few blocks from the ample grounds, parks, and museums contained with the Nymphenburg Palace complex, 20 minutes to the west of central Munich via public transportation. Guest rooms are clean, simple, and somewhat dowdy, with wood-paneled ceilings and wrought iron beds. The best features of this mid-range property are its warm, helpful staff and its quiet location with easy access to the city center. While the restaurant only serves breakfast, guests here, who tend towards an older crowd seeking a quiet respite from the bustle of the city, have access to a good number of restaurants within a short walk of the hotel. The hotel offers free bikes for guests to use, and there's a lovely little garden for relaxing. 

The five-pearl Breidenbacher Hof is a luxurious destination hotel right on the city's high-end shopping avenue, the Konigsallee. The 106 rooms are large and elegant but trendy and all have marble bathrooms, minibars with free soft drinks, and touch panels used to control the room features. Luxury amenities include a romantic restaurant, pool, and trendy bar, not to mention a cigar lounge, private access to two medical clinics, a perfume shop, and posh meeting rooms. Travelers might also want to consider the Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf for its spectacular views of the Rhine and free shuttle service to downtown. 

In a location convenient to accessing restaurants, night clubs, and transportation, the modern Casa Camper Berlin is an upper-mid-range, boutique property. Its 51 rooms offer trendy, industrial features like work table lamps on nightstands and steel pegs for hanging clothes. The hotel has a 24-hour lounge with free fruit, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks as well as a bar working on the honor system. There’s also a modern restaurant serving Asian cuisine. Guests looking for a creative vibe may also want to consider PLUS Berlin, a hotel and hostel with an art garden.

Pension Galerie is a dated but beloved mid-range bed-and-breakfast near the center of Berlin. It's on a residential street, but that helps keep the noise down in the building, which is home to drafty old windows. The large, clean, and individually decorated rooms feature flat-screen TVs. They're more affordable than other hotel rooms in the area, but their furnishings are dated. The included breakfast is served in a charming little room where the owner is known to chat with her guests as she helps serve coffee and tea. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. 

The upper-middle-range boutique i31 Hotel is a great option for the hip, design-conscious traveler looking to stay close to central Berlin and near public transportation. Its location is very close to the Berlin Wall Trail, with plenty of places to dine and drink within walking distance. There’s a breakfast buffet and a trendy lobby bar, plus a 24-hour fitness center, a sauna, and a lovely garden for relaxing. But some additional fees apply for breakfast, parking, and sauna use. The 117 rooms are as chic and trendy as the rest of the hotel, and they're outfitted with built-in media hubs, minibars with free soft drinks, and little treats like German chocolates. As an alternative, travelers could check out the similarly trendy Hotel Gat Point Charlie, which is even closer to major tourist attractions.

Located in Berlin’s diplomatic district, Das Stue is a boutique, luxury hotel with 79 chic rooms. From the elegant fine-dining restaurant to the cozy library, the hotel is immaculately decorated, offering the crème de la crème of hotel experiences. There is an indoor pool and a beautiful outdoor terrace. The location is a bit far from several of Berlin's tourist attractions, but there are some galleries, restaurants, and shops in the neighborhood. Guests looking for a more convenient location may want to check out Melia Berlin, a modern, upscale hotel near a transportation hub.

An upscale boutique hotel in the western part of Berlin, Louisa's Place is in a district surrounded by high-end shopping. Its 47 spacious suites have kitchenettes and living rooms, plus most have balconies, but the earth-toned color palette can lean toward gloomy. The historic property has a wood-paneled library and a pool with a delicate mural and small bar, but the fitness center is painted an off-putting mustard yellow. There's a swanky, sixties-era bar, as well as a restaurant that features a tasting menu and a long communal table. Other features include a high-ceilinged spa and a hair salon. It's not within walking distance of top sights, however. The Mandala Hotel has a more central location and also offers large rooms with kitchenettes, but it doesn't have a pool.

Made up of 11 apartments of various sizes in an historic building, Brilliant Apartments offers a cozy and homey place to stay in the trendy and picturesque Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin. The area is central, but fairly quiet, too, with lots of restaurants and shops within walking distance, and all major sights within a quick metro ride. There's a great cafe, Krone, on the first floor, which serves breakfast for a fee. The apartments are spacious and tastefully decorated, with separate kitchens, sitting areas, and dining areas. 

Built in Muenchen Palace Hotel is a five-pearl property with 74 luxurious rooms spread over six floors. The rooms have a chic and sumptuous feel, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Palace Restaurant serves excellent food, and there’s a great rooftop terrace as well as a fitness center with a steam room and a sauna. The hotel is set in a quiet area out of the city center, but it’s well-connected by public transport.  On-site parking is available for a fee and bikes are free to borrow. 

The Berlin Wall once ran through Potsdamer Platz, where luxury hotels and skyscrapers now tower over a bustling public square. The Mandala Hotel is an independently owned, discreet upscale property in the midst of Berlin's urban jungle, eschewing all the flash outside for understated elegance. Its rooms were formerly apartments and it shows in their huge layouts with kitchenettes and wall-sized windows. The Mandala has an expansive spa on the top floor and an outdoor terrace with views of the city, and also features a two-star Michelin restaurant with an interior garden. The nearby Grand Hyatt Berlin has a pool, bigger staff, and similar amenities, but lacks some of the quiet sophistication found here as well as the enormous rooms.

The 80-room Marc Muenchen is a modern and monochromatic upscale hotel with neon lighting designs, a central Munich location, and competitively priced rooms. This sleek hotel also offers 24-hour front desk service, on-site paid parking, free Wi-Fi, and a sophisticated boardroom with audiovisual equipment. Rooms are modern and minimal with recessed colorful lighting, red accents, and flat-screen TVs (but most rooms have unattractive views of the street or hotel parking lot). The Le Meridien Munich has rooms with better views, but for higher prices.

The Hotel de Rome is a luxury property in central Berlin, within walking distance of many major historic sights. Its 145 elegant rooms have well-stocked minibars and luxurious bathrooms. Many have balconies, some with views of St. Hedwig Church and Humboldt University. Housed in a 19th-century bank, the hotel has a lap pool and spa in the former jewelry vault, as well as a rooftop lounge and an Italian restaurant with mirrored walls and a garden. Part of the style-conscious Rocco Forte line of properties, the Hotel de Rome is described by guests as elegant without pretension. High-end products and materials are the norm here, from Berlin vodka in the cocktails to Malin & Goetz toiletries. It's worth comparing rates with the nearby Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, which offers similar amenities and more of an Old World atmosphere in rooms.

The upscale, 145-room Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Hackescher Markt is conveniently located in East Berlin in easy walking distance to a plethora of shops, restaurants, nightlife, public transportation, and sights, such as Museum Island. With artsy, modern style, the hotel features an eclectic collection of furniture and bright accents that come off tasteful against moodier, dark backdrops. Lots of public seating areas and a well-reviewed on-site restaurant and bar give guests spaces to relax. The studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartment-style rooms are spacious, stylish, and packed with amenities, including a fully equipped kitchenette. There’s also a small on-site sauna, two whirlpools that sit under a cool starry ceiling, and a functional fitness area. Guests biggest complaint? Wi-Fi costs extra and the connection is poor. As an alternative, travelers could consider the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, another design-conscious upscale hotel but one with free Wi-Fi. 

The Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie is a modern four-pearl property with a romantic atmosphere, situated within walking distance to attractions, shopping, and public transportation. The 127 apartment units come with kitchens or kitchenettes, living rooms, and washers and dryers. Some even have balconies. However, Wi-Fi costs extra. Features include a quality on-site restaurant as well as an indoor heated pool and hot tub. There's also an outdoor courtyard that makes a lovely spot for a late-night drink. For a similar romantic hotel that has free Wi-Fi and a chic rooftop bar, Hotel AMANO is a good alternative.