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| 18:15 Tue 13 May 2008 |
Lux 11 Hotel/Apartments - Berlin |
Monday, 20 August 2007 |
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 Berlin is one of UNESCO Creative Cities of design and it has a distinctive and strong creative subculture. But it takes a while for the cool aspects to become apparent because Berlin is not a city with instant sex appeal like Paris or Rome. And don’t try to do anything before 11 am -- the place is dead till then. Luckily, we knew where the action is. In Berlin, it is in Mitte district (German for middle or center), a historic district formerly part of East Berlin. Now, it is somewhat edgier than SOHO but also similar with its refurbished buildings, one-of-a-kind designer fashion shops, cafes, bakeries, restaurants, bars, art galleries, studios and an overall creative vibe that attracts the city’s designers, architects, photographers and artists. Mitte is also the historical heart of Berlin with most of the main sights and many media companies within its borders.  In Mitte, we stayed at Lux 11. Lux 11’s name gives a nod to Rosa Luxemburg, the German champion of socialist causes, after whom the street is also named. The hotel name also refers to luxury and light (lux is light in Latin). Lux 11 is a chic 72-room apartment hotel opened in 2005 in a renovated building that started as stately residences in the late 19th century. It was later converted to an office building from which the KGB was apparently in direct contact with Moscow during the Cold War. We don’t know if this is true but we like the story. The hotel concept and interior are by London-based architects Giuliana Salmaso and Claudio Silvestrin. They‘ve managed to create an environment that combines a clean, minimalist and practical style with an abundance of tactile and sensual details, white walls, natural wood, concrete in China green, curtains in leather, upholstery in rough canvas. We liked the simplicity – no frilly things to annoy you, no boring sets of matching bedding and window treatments. We also liked the little kitchen (the hotel buffet breakfast did not appeal) which we stocked at Bio Organic Supermarket a block away on Dircksenstrasse. We found the best coffee at Buscaglione on Rochstrasse (1 Block away) and the best soup at Kultur (opposite hotel). What You'll Love: Location, location, location. Mitte is where its all at. What You Won't: No air conditioning, lifeless pillows. Expensive internet access (12 Euro for 5 hrs) Alternative Hotel - Hotel De Rome |
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