Meeting the owner Uwe Buttgereit explains a lot about this quirky riverside Berlin hotel. The amount of gold in the lobby alone could dazzle in the dead of night. At best vaudeville, at worst Pat Butcher’s jewellery box, this wonderfully tasteless building is too ridiculous to resist. Owner Uwe aims to attract a crowd of actors and artists who he hopes (and so do we) will usher in an air of creativity: guests are invited to tickle the ivories of the piano found downstairs in the bar/café. The rooms are surprisingly spacious with fantastic views over the Spree and few other hotels offer such intimacy and comfort. Freestanding baths are especially romantic and can be filled with essential oils and rose petals at the guest’s request. One suite boasts a 6-square-metre ‘family whirlpool’, while another has a freestanding bath and Jacuzzi on the balcony. All suites have a balcony, a flat-screen TV and a DVD-player, and the in-house spa offers over 50 treatments from all over the world as well as a sauna with a river view, steam bath and several relaxation areas.