Alex Catarinella

The Dude

  • Where:
  • Why:Was in town for Berlin Fashion Week.
  • When:Late January 2017.
  • Who:Me, myself and I.
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The Dude Honey, I’m home! And I’m never leaving.

Honey, I’m home! And I’m never leaving.

The Dude Holy hallway!

Holy hallway!

The Dude I love the old school room keys, which you leave at the front desk any time you venture out into the Berlin streets.

I love the old school room keys, which you leave at the front desk any time you venture out into the Berlin streets.

The Dude Staircase to hotel heaven.

Staircase to hotel heaven.

The Dude A mural moment on my floor.

A mural moment on my floor.

The Dude Thank you so much for the Moleskine notebook, dude.

Thank you so much for the Moleskine notebook, dude.

The Dude My special place.

My special place.

The Dude Can we get any cuter? (No.)

Can we get any cuter? (No.)

The Dude Waiting for your call...

Waiting for your call...

The Dude My view.

My view.

The Dude There she is!

There she is!

The Dude Interior design inspiration.

Interior design inspiration.

The Dude That’s my kind of shower.

That’s my kind of shower.

The Dude Lock me in this room forever and throw away the key, please.

Lock me in this room forever and throw away the key, please.

Highs & Lows

  • It feels like a private mansion. You enter the gorgeous lobby via ringing a buzzer. The staff are exquisite which was a delight, because, trust me, I dealt with some not-so-friendly humans throughout my trip, particularly when I stayed at an establishment-run five star hotel which I will not name. If you’d like, you can pass on the lift and ascend a gorgeous, Instagram-friendly (although the website says there’s a no photo policy) majestic spiraling staircase to your room, which I suggest so you can check out/Instagram the vibrant murals found on each floor.

  • From the chandelier and candlelit lobby to the rooms, everything is immaculately designed. I stayed in a Senior Double room, which was the perfect size for me and would be great for two. The antique-ish and quirky cast iron bed is the star of the room. I want to own it. The large windows boasting natural light (well, Berlin is a bit dreary at the moment) and a view of the quaint street outside is also a massive perk. It’s all about the details at The Dude - the side tables, the funky phone, the shiny hardwood floors, the clock, the light fixtures -- even how the flat screen TV is displayed in a non-confrontational, artistic manner. The aesthetic is both minimal and vibrant at the same time. In other words, flaw-free and fabulous.

  • Gotta love the stealable Molton Brown products and the German fashion magazines!

  • The bathroom is on the small side and my room lacked a bathtub. However, I was really into the shower’s design - enclosed in a glass case like you’re a fragile work of art or something.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 49/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    19th century townhouse transformed into a gorgeous boutique hotel…and somehow with reasonably priced rooms.

  • Vibe

    Considering I don’t live in a private townhouse, The Dude was surprisingly very homey. And, at least during my stay, so quiet and peaceful, which is not at all what comes to mind when I think of Berlin’s traits. I felt like I was the only guest in the entire hotel/mansion. It is situated on a quiet residential street, with a few cars and bicycles passing by like a cinematic romance flick, but conveniently just minutes away from all of the Berlin craziness.

  • Location

    Luisenstadt, a short walk from Gendarmenmarkt, Friedrichstrasse and Museum Island.

  • Rooms

    30

  • Music

    Not that I recall.

  • Year Opened

    2012

  • Designed By

    Mostly by the owner, Alexander Schmidt-Vogel, and the managing director, Britta Bettendorf. As for the trippy flying suitcases scattered on the entranceway walls and other awesome aesthetic bits? They’re from interior designer, Uwe van Afferden from Duesseldorf.

  • Health & Wellness

    There’s a tiny, albeit adorable, mini-gym.

  • Restaurant

    I didn’t have time to try their restaurant, The Brooklyn, which is a bummer because apparently they boast the best steaks in Berlin!

  • Bar

    Yes, at the restaurant. Hip and swanky - gives me Bowery Hotel bar vibes.

  • Minibar

    I noticed just beverages - waters, sodas, beer. However, there was a complimentary bottle of wine, a Nespresso machine with complimentary coffee, complimentary breakfast a la carte, 24/7 room service, and a Moleskine notebook!

  • Children

    No thank you! Don’t F up my tranquility and lux juxtaposition vibes! (If I was a parent, I’d also be paranoid about the kids being little psychos on the spiraling staircase.)

  • Price

    Pretty cheap-ish for feeling like you’re staying in a private mansion.

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