Best for animal-lovers

£ £ £ SO/ BERLIN DAS STUE

From the carved wooden crocodile head in the lobby to the leather footstools shaped like hippos and turtles, wildlife references are everywhere in this luxury hideaway. That’s because the hotel is located right on the edge of the Tiergarten: the vast, green space that’s home to Zoo Berlin (to which guests have direct access). Don’t be surprised if you’re woken by the sea lions barking for breakfast or the hoots and howls of other exotic creatures. The building itself (a former embassy) has bags of character, while the Tiergarten’s acres of woods, lawns and lakes make it feel miles away from its central location.

ROOMS: From €300 (£261), B&B. so-berlin-das-stue.com