Ackselhaus: A Whimsical, Tranquil Refuge in the Heart of Berlin

I'll be the first to admit this: I had very little [to no] expectations when I chose to visit Berlin for the first time. I hadn't heard any rave reviews like I had for other European cities such as Prague, Amsterdam, or Florence. The overall consensus was just "cool" with a casual shoulder shrug. Traveling to Berlin without knowing what to expect was like going to see a movie without watching the trailer. But in the end, I kind of liked it that way. I kind of liked it a lot, actually! It allowed me to go in with a completely open mind and be surprised by anything I experienced.

Once the trip was booked, we settled on staying in the beautiful neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg, not too far from the central district, Mitte. Right in the heart of this trendy neighborhood was our home away from home, Ackselhaus, which was quietly nestled in a residential area not too far from one of the main avenues and a short walk to Alexanderplatz.

ARRIVING TO THE Hotel

After a short 30-minute trip from the airport, we arrived to the lovely area of Prenzlauer Berg where our hotel was located. Personally, I love staying in neighborhoods that are more residential and local because I feel like you get a more authentic experience of what it's like to live in that particular city.

Our hotel was conveniently located near the main street, Prenzlauer Allee, and just a 15-minute walk to Alexanderplatz, which made it ideal for getting around to all parts of Berlin via public transit, driving, or even walking. Despite the dreariness of the winter months, this neighborhood was still so charming and cozy, which made it feel like a peaceful escape from the hustle of the city.

A tranquil Escape in a Meticulously Restored Victorian Age Setting

Although we visited in the colder winter months, I could still tell that this building had a unique charm to it. The Victorian Age building, which has been meticulously restored, seemed to stand out amongst the neighboring buildings because of it's curb appeal. Walking through the doors of this hotel was like stepping into our own private oasis with secret gardens, cozy areas, and creatively decorated rooms.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love luxury brand name hotels, but boutique hotels are where it's at. Boutique hotels are where you really find the magic and essence of the city you're traveling to. I feel like you can find the heart and soul of a city through its boutique hotels and we definitely found it here at Ackselhaus. This particular hotel really solidified that uniqueness through the way they decorated and designed their guest rooms.

Journey to other worlds in a Whimsically decorated suite

While the building itself is lovely and charming, the best part of this hotel are the rooms and suites! Seeing photos of each individually decorated room was what made it an easy decision for us to stay here. Each guest room at Ackselhaus has its own unique theme and decor for you to experience during your stay. There are a wide variety of themed rooms to select from, such as Picasso, Beach House, New York, or even Safari themed!

Each room is so noteworthy and unique. Personally, I truly appreciated and loved staying at a hotel that you could tell paid so much attention to detail in each individual room with the overall aesthetic in order to make guests feel like they were being transported.

We stayed in the "Afrika" room and it actually felt like we were staying in a hotel somewhere in Africa! The images on the walls, the fabrics and textures throughout the rooms, the canvas made to look like safari tent...all of it was spectacular! I highly recommend browsing the selection of rooms they have available if you'd like to have a specific experience.

HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME HERE

Enjoy Time in the Courtyard Garden

Ackselhaus has a really charming courtyard garden located in the backyard of the hotel. It was too cold for us to enjoy it when we went, but I definitely recommend it to anyone going in the warmer months!

Indulge in breakfast at Club Del Mar

A delicious breakfast buffet is available every morning to guests via the neighboring restaurant, Club Del Mar. You can expect fruits, pastries, cold cut meats, cheeses, and an assortment of other breakfast delectables. The restaurant also has a really cute patio area in the front for guests to enjoy in the warmer months.

spend time around the neighborhood

The neighborhood and surrounding areas near Ackselhaus are home to some very lovely parks, local restaurants, and interesting boutiques. I recommend walking around to explore the area, or simply ask the concierge for some suggestions on places to go.

GOOD TO KNOW INFORMATION

Currency used in Berlin (and all of Germany) is the Euro.
In good traffic, the airport is about 30 minutes away. You can hire a taxi from the airport, take public transit, or use a car service.
You can also make a reservation at their adjoining property, Blue Home, which offers additional options for accommodations.
Alexanderplatz (which is a great central location to get almost anywhere in Berlin) is about 15-20 minutes away by walking. You can also catch a public transit tram line just around the corner on Prenzlauer Allee if you prefer to use that method of transport as well.
If you need to get around the city, Uber is popular and inexpensive. You can use my Uber code right here to get a discount on your first ride.

I'm starting to think that having no expectations about Berlin was the best thing I could do for my trip. We left feeling so surprised and fascinated by everything the city has to offer. It's definitely on the top of my list of places I want to go back and explore more.

I particularly loved staying at Ackselhaus in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood because it truly felt like a home away from home. I'd highly recommend this hotel to anyone who is looking to stay in a more "local" neighborhood, or someone who wants to experience a really fun and funky vibe at a boutique hotel in the heart of this creative city!

Ackselhaus
Belforter Str. 21, 10405 Berlin, Germany

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS HOTEL, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Visit Ackselhaus

Thank you to Ackselhaus and Visit Berlin for hosting our stay. And a special thank you to all of the incredible staff members who made our visit spectacular. This post may include affiliate links, which comes at absolutely no cost to you. All proceeds go directly back into maintaining this website and making it better for you. All opinions are my own.