Berlin booms in more ways than one with new music hotel

Berlin's latest hotel "nhow" opened its doors this month, promising to add a rock and rock twist to the city's accommodation choices.

The 304-room property has been designed to cater to Berlin's renowned creative class, boasting a futuristic design and extras that range from exhibition spaces to digital suites.

As the only hotel in Europe to boast two music studios, it's difficult to tell exactly to whom nhow is trying to appeal - experience-seeking visitors or music-obsessed locals?

High above the roofs of Germany's capital, the studios certainly appeal to professionals, featuring state-of-the-art recording equipment and managed by Lautstark, which also runs Berlin's legendary Hansa studios.

Both the lobby and outside area are also kitted out for artists, providing a space which showcases local and international exhibits for those passing the hotel, located in the heart of the city's creative district.

However, nhow pains to point out that all this creativity doesn't come at the expense of functionality - its rooms and suites have been created by celebrity designer Karim Rashid and include some unique features such as televisions that disappear into mirrored surfaces and bathroom walls constructed from one-way tinted glass.

For luxury-loving guests, the hotel's 260 square meter suite offers its own roof terrace and digital link to the music studios, enabling celebrity visitors to record without leaving their room, if they desire.

Although Berlin's latest hotel is certainly eye-catching, it's just one of a series of hip properties opening up in the German capital.

Design Hotels' The Weinmeister opened its doors in June, followed in October by the refreshingly cool Hotel Scandic, which announced last week it would rent an electric vehicle to guests for use during their stay.

Portuguese chain SANA Hotels is set to open its doors in the city in December and both Leonard and Waldorf Astoria will follow with new properties in 2011.

http://www.nhow-hotels.com