Honestly, if you’ve ever stood in the middle of Alexanderplatz and looked up, you’ve seen it. It’s hard to miss. The Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz isn't just a hotel; it’s a giant, 150-meter-tall slab of glass and steel that basically acts as a compass for anyone lost in Mitte. Most people see the height and think "luxury," but that’s not really the vibe here. It’s practical. It's massive. It’s kinda the ultimate "love it or hate it" landmark of the Berlin skyline.
Standing tall. 37 floors.
It was originally the Hotel Stadt Berlin back in the GDR days, opening its doors in 1970. Back then, it was the height of socialist prestige. Today? It’s a bustling hub for tourists who want to be exactly where the action is without spending five hundred Euro a night at the Adlon. You’re staying in the tallest hotel in the city, which comes with some very specific perks and a few quirks that might drive you crazy if you aren't prepared for them.
The View is Basically the Whole Point
Let’s be real. You aren't booking a room at the Park Inn by Radisson Berlin because you want a boutique, hand-crafted experience with artisanal soap. You’re booking it for the window. If you get a room on the higher floors facing west, you are staring directly at the Fernsehturm (TV Tower). It is so close you feel like you could reach out and touch the sphere.
Watching the sunset behind the tower while the city lights start to flicker on across the Spree is one of those "okay, I get it" moments.
But here is the kicker: the hotel has a public viewing platform on the 40th floor. Even if you aren't staying there, you can pay a few Euro, take the elevator up, and get a panoramic view that rivals the TV Tower itself, but for a fraction of the price and with way shorter lines. Plus, from the Park Inn, you actually get the TV Tower in your photos, which is arguably better than being inside the tower and looking out.
High-Altitude Adrenaline
If you're feeling particularly brave—or perhaps a bit reckless—there is Jochen Schweizer’s Base Flying. You basically get strapped into a harness and "fly" (drop) from the roof. It’s one of the highest base-flying installations in Europe. I’ve watched people do it from the ground; the screams are quite something. It’s a weird contrast to see someone plummeting past the window of a corporate conference room where people are just trying to discuss quarterly spreadsheets.
👉 See also: Full Moon San Diego CA: Why You’re Looking at the Wrong Spots
Navigating the Chaos of Alexanderplatz
The location is both a blessing and a bit of a nightmare. You have the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and trams right outside your door. You can get to Friedrichshain in five minutes or Charlottenburg in twenty. It’s the ultimate logistics win. But Alexanderplatz itself is loud. It’s gritty. It’s always under construction—this is Berlin, after all.
Expect crowds.
The hotel has over 1,000 rooms. Think about that for a second. That is a lot of people trying to eat breakfast at the same time. If you head down to the buffet at 9:00 AM on a Saturday, it’s going to feel like a high-traffic airport terminal. My advice? Go early. Or better yet, skip the hotel breakfast and walk five minutes into the side streets of Mitte where you can find a quiet bakery for a fraction of the cost.
The Rooms: What You Actually Get
Don't expect massive suites unless you're shelling out for the top-tier options. The standard rooms are fairly compact. They’re clean, functional, and very "Radisson"—neutral tones, decent beds, and those glass-walled showers that were very trendy in the mid-2010s.
One thing that catches people off guard is the bathroom setup. In many rooms, the shower is basically a glass box in the middle of the room. It’s fine if you’re traveling solo or with a partner you’re very comfortable with, but maybe a bit awkward if you’re sharing a room with a coworker or a casual acquaintance. Just something to keep in mind before you check in.
Sound and Silence
You’d think being in the center of the city would be deafening. Surprisingly, the soundproofing on the higher floors is decent. You might hear the distant hum of a tram or the occasional siren, but generally, the height works in your favor. You’re literally above the noise. However, the elevators are another story. With 1,000+ rooms, waiting for a lift during check-out time requires the patience of a saint. Plan an extra ten minutes into your schedule if you have a train to catch.
✨ Don't miss: Floating Lantern Festival 2025: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the History Matters
You can still feel the bones of the old East Germany here, even if it’s been renovated a dozen times. The scale of the building was meant to show off the power of the DDR. It was a statement piece. Today, that history is buried under modern branding, but the sheer "bigness" of the architecture remains.
It’s a survivor. While other socialist-era buildings like the Palast der Republik were torn down, the Park Inn stayed. It adapted. It rebranded from Interhotel to Forum Hotel to Park Inn. This resilience is very "Berlin." The city is a patchwork of eras, and this hotel is a massive, shiny patch that refuses to be ignored.
Real Talk: The Pros and Cons
Let’s break it down without the marketing fluff.
The Good Stuff:
- The location is unbeatable for first-timers. You can walk to Museum Island, the Berlin Cathedral, and the Nikolaiviertel in ten minutes.
- The views are arguably the best in the city. No contest.
- The price is usually very competitive for Mitte, especially if you book mid-week.
- Public transport access is 10/10.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- It can feel impersonal. It’s a "hotel factory."
- The elevators are a constant bottleneck.
- Alexanderplatz can be a bit sketchy late at night (just stay alert, it's mostly just pickpockets and rowdy groups).
- Wi-Fi can be hit or miss depending on how many hundreds of people are trying to stream Netflix at the same time.
How to Do the Park Inn Right
If you’ve decided to stay here, do yourself a favor and request a "High Floor" during booking. It’s worth the extra few Euro. Being on the 10th floor is fine, but being on the 30th floor is an experience. Also, check if your room faces the TV Tower (West) or the city sprawl (East). Both are cool, but the tower view is the iconic one.
🔗 Read more: Finding Your Way: What the Tenderloin San Francisco Map Actually Tells You
For food, don't just stick to the hotel’s Spagos Restaurant. It’s fine, but you’re in Berlin. Walk North into the Scheunenviertel. You’ll find amazing Vietnamese spots like Monsun or high-end dining at places like Pauly Saal. You're also a short walk from the Hackescher Markt, which has a million options ranging from quick currywurst to sit-down Italian.
A Quick Tip on Check-in
They have automated kiosks now. Use them. The line for the manual check-in desk can look like a queue for a rock concert during peak hours. The kiosks are surprisingly intuitive and will save you twenty minutes of standing on your tired feet.
The Verdict on Park Inn by Radisson Berlin
Is it the most charming hotel in Germany? No. Is it a cozy boutique experience? Absolutely not. But the Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz offers something that no other place in the city can: the feeling of being right in the center of the world. It’s a functional, towering beast of a building that serves its purpose perfectly.
You’re there for the city. You’re there for the ease of travel. You’re there for that specific moment when you wake up, pull back the curtains, and see the TV Tower glowing in the morning light. For many travelers, that’s more than enough.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Book the 40th-floor terrace: Even if you don't stay at the hotel, go for the sunset. It’s one of the best cheap thrills in Berlin.
- Check the "Base Flying" schedule: Even if you don't jump, watching people fly past the windows is a great conversation starter at the bar.
- Use the S-Bahn: Don't bother with taxis from the airport (BER). The regional trains and S-Bahn (S9) drop you literally at the hotel's doorstep in about 30-40 minutes.
- Join the Radisson Rewards program: They often have a separate (shorter) line for members, which can be a lifesaver here.
- Explore the "hidden" side: Walk south toward the Nikolaiviertel to see the reconstructed "old" Berlin, just a five-minute walk from the modern chaos of the hotel entrance.