Berlin has its share of ultra luxurious hotels, but they come with hefty price tags for stays especially in the Mitte district. For a mid-range option in a fantastic location for five nights in Berlin, my friends and I decided on the Leonardo Hotel Berlin Mitte based on another friend’s recommendation. Located in the historical Bertoit-Brecht-Platz, the hotel is convenient to the Friedrichstraße Train Station, walkable to many of Berlin’s top tourists sites and museums, and close to lively restuarants and cafes. I really loved its location along the River Spree, especially during early morning walks.

The hotel’s design incorporates elements of the location’s past. In 1868, Berlin’s first market hall was here. It was also a circus with seating for 500, then the Großes Schauspielhaus, and the Friedrichstadt-Palast has roots here. The 4-star hotel has 308 rooms. There’s a lively feel to the hotel when you walk into the small lobby. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately the small Circus Bar was closed during our stay because of pandemic, but it was our daily morning meeting spot and there was hot coffee in the mornings.

When I walked into my room the first thing I noticed was its size. The rooms are efficiently compact. My room had two twin beds next to each other, which is pretty common in European hotels. I particularly liked the velvet purple chair in the corner. I also liked the built in desk and cabinets under the windows. It gave me a great space when I needed to do some work. I was also grateful for an instant kettle for coffee and tea. There is a small closet area. It’s the perfect size for carry-on travelers like me. I hung up a few things but ended up using the second twin to spread out things packed in my roller carry-on and backpack. The bathroom had a small sink area, walk-in shower and toilet. It was actually pretty spacious. My only complaint in the bathroom was the hair dryer is attached and the cord is short so I had to bend sideways to use it and I’m only 5’6”.

We opted not to do the daily breakfast at the hotel and instead stopped in several cafes nearby. The breakfast must be good though as it was bustling every morning. Overall, I’d stay here again. Yes, the rooms are small but that’s common in Europe. The location and price point are hard to beat. We booked best available rate (cancellable) a couple of weeks in advance and rate was about $116 USD per night including tax.

Check out the Hot Spots to Stay section for more places Jennifer Broome has stayed around the world.