Five Best: German Design Hotels

Hopper Hotel et Cetera, Cologne

This rather venerable 19th-century building was originally a monastery. The cloisters of St Michael's Parish once provided a refuge for the infirm and impoverished, but the building suffered extensive damage during the Second World War and was abandoned. It now houses those with more sybaritic needs in 49 understated but sumptuous rooms featuring cherry wood furniture, eucalyptus floors and original artwork. And hidden down in the former cellar is a compact gym and sauna if you need to burn off a few calories after a visit to the city's cafés.

Hopper Hotel et Cetera, Brusseler Strasse 26, Cologne (00 49 22 19 24 400; www.hopper.de). Doubles from €125 (£89), including breakfast.

25 Hours Hotel, Hamburg

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas meets A Clockwork Orange at this funky Hamburg hotel. Each of the individually designed rooms was inspired by the Sixties and Seventies, but don't expect brown swirly carpets and textured wallpaper. While the lobby is as shocking as pink gets, the rooms feature smooth wooden flooring, muted tones, Philippe Starck Eros chairs and retro TV sets. The high style isn't matched by a hefty price tag but if you've got money to burn, the furniture is available to buy.

25 Hours Hotel, Paul-Dessau Strasse 2, Hamburg (00 49 40 85 50 70; www.25hours-hotel.com). Doubles from €101 (£72), room only.

Brandenburger Hof, Berlin

From the outside this elegant 19th-century mansion appears to be a traditional townhouse hotel. However, inside the Brandenburger Hof the classical and the contemporary have been merged seamlessly by architects Peter Sauter and Kenji Tsuchiya. A glass-topped courtyard containing a modern Japanese garden forms the centrepiece, while skirting the courtyard is the Quadriga Lounge - an airy conservatory-style space furnished with black leather sofas and lime-green armchairs. Bedrooms are decorated with Bauhaus-style furniture.

Brandenburger Hof, Eislebener Strasse 14, Berlin (00 49 30 214 050; www.brandenburger-hof.com). Doubles from €245 (£175) including breakfast.

Cortiina, Munich

The Cortiina is part-owned by architect Albert Weinzierl and as such attracts a well-heeled, in-the-know crowd. However, the design isn't an example of style over substance. Natural materials are prominent, from the Jura stone-tiled bathrooms to the parquet flooring, exposed flagstone walls and unbleached cotton bed linen. The style is reminiscent of an Alpine resort, with crackling fires during winter and expansive windows looking out over the Bavarian capital. The overall effect is soothing, providing a retreat from the bustle of nearby Marienplatz... and of course football.

Cortiina Hotel, Ledererstrasse 8, Munich (00 49 89 24 22 490; www.cortiina.com). Doubles from €186 (£133) including breakfast.

Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt

The latest of Rocco Forte's hotels opened just two months ago and takes its name from its location, a street that was renamed after a visit from President Kennedy in 1963. The building was constructed for a wealthy family of bankers at the turn of the century and is surrounded by lush gardens. The hotel has added three new buildings in keeping with the original design. The rooms have all the high-spec features expected of a Forte hotel - additional touches include complimentary packing and unpacking, natural toiletries and an impressive spa using organic products.

Villa Kennedy, Kennedyallee 70, Frankfurt (00 49 69 717 120; www.villakennedy.com). Doubles from €280 (£200), room only.