Hotel AMANO Grand Central

Fair warning: the “Grand Central” bit is somewhat aspirational for now, as the area around Amano Grand Central Berlin is still decidedly in the development phase. Not to imply that you’ll find yourself in the sticks; if there’s one thing Berlin nails, it’s highly efficient urban travel, and Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof will get you wherever you wish to go in record time. It’s just that the immediate neighborhood isn’t quite the city’s great crossroads yet.

Chances are this latest effort by the Amano Group will help to change that, though; its sister properties are twin anchors of the Rosenthaler Platz nightlife scene, after all. Two rooftop bars — one enclosed, the other al fresco with enviable Reichstag views — provide a healthy mix of lounge and club vibes, balancing sleek Euro fixtures with a generous allotment of planters and warm ambient lighting. Downstairs, a bistro hosts a daily breakfast buffet and an all-day menu alternating between national specialties and global plates.

At 250 rooms, Amano Grand Central isn’t shy about attracting business clientele, eschewing high design for clean, contemporary functionality. Black, white, and chrome elements predominate, a smooth (if somewhat chilly) palette tied together by hardwood flooring. Flatscreens and complimentary wi-fi come with every room, as do soundproof windows and blackout curtains for the jet-lag set. Opt for a view of the Spree, if you can, and be sure to inquire after bike rental; it’s one thing to contemplate the river peacefully from your room, and quite another to take in the city from along its banks.