Soho House Berlin

A stunningly chic hotel and members' club in the heart of Berlin, with a heated rooftop pool and buzzy bistro

Soho House’s first European outpost pulls out all the stops: an unbeatable location in a vast late-Bauhaus building in Berlin’s historical Mitte district, sumptuous design, and the perfect balance of old-school luxury and jet-set glamour. In a city where private members' clubs are all but unheard of, the opening of Soho House in May 2010 caused quite a stir. (Not that everyone has understood the concept: “Is this a health club?” a man at reception enquired as we were checking in.)

As Berlin’s creative elite continue to vie for membership, hotel guests can jump the queue - if only for the duration of their stay - and enjoy the high life in this stylish getaway. And all who stay seem to love it; young staff are friendly (if occasionally sluggish), the vibe is buzzing but surprisingly unpretentious. Between taking a dip in the heated rooftop pool, catching a film in the private screening room, lounging with a cocktail in the 7th-floor bar or pampering yourself in the Cowshed Spa, you may have to remind yourself to get out and explore the city. But be sure you do. Mitte's hip shops and galleries are close, and it's a quick hop to the historical sites or the rest of the city, where fabulous shopping, restaurants and nightlife await.

Highs

• Spacious, decadent rooms where unconventional colour and comfort are key - think fur throws, velvet headboards, roll-top baths and lashings of Cowshed toiletries
• The fascinating history of the building - once the centre for Hitler Youth, then the East Germany Communist Party HQ
• Good value for money, particularly as hotel guests have access to all of the club’s facilities
• The trademark Soho House rooftop terrace has wonderful views over Berlin, and is a real boon in summer
• Little details: the groovy lobby with a playground carousel and table fussball; hair straighteners and hot water bottles in your room; an original Damien Hirst sketch in the stairwell

Lows

• The young, cool, see-and-be-seen atmosphere won’t be to everyone’s taste - a kind of Euro-trendy bubble that says little about the city you're in
• The industrial chic design may intimidate those seeking homely comforts
• Rooms on the 3rd floor can get late-night noise from the "Politburo" (private function room) downstairs - check if it's booked when you're staying
• The rooftop pool is fairly small - great for a plunge with a cocktail in hand, but not for a proper swim
• This is the grittier (but by no means dangerous) end of Mitte, and from the lower floors the immediate view is of a main road and 60s GDR apartment blocks