Whether you’re a tourist coming to Berlin for a vacation, or a local looking for a staycation opportunity, The Circus Hotel is a strong contender in filling all of your accommodation needs.
in August of 2021, I spent a weekend at the Circus Hotel. It marked the first time I’d slept somewhere other than my own flat, since the summer of 2020 when I traveled to Hamburg for a weekend. What a wild feeling! It was great to finally put my small carry-on, packing cubes, and other travel-related accessories to use again.
Come To Germany And Stay At The Circus Hotel Berlin
The pandemic has been extremely difficult for the hospitality industry as lockdowns forced businesses, such as hotels, to temporarily close their doors. The Circus Hotel took the “quiet time” to do something they’d been dreaming of for years, and that was to renovate the hotel from top-to-bottom and create an entirely new concept that would not only better the guest experience but forge new partnerships with local brands and be more environmentally friendly.
The end results of their efforts are fantastic and certainly make the hotel one of the top places to stay when you’re visiting Berlin. From their spacious rooms, central location, rooftop bar, and tons of other really cool amenities, your stay at The Circus Hotel Berlin will be a memorable one.
Recommended reading: For more things to do in Berlin, consider visiting Schlosspark Biesdorf, taking a boat tour, or going to a Christmas market. Even better, read our advice about mistakes tourists should avoid when they visit Berlin.
A Large Room
I shacked up in a large room and couldn’t have been happier with my temporary 28 square meters home. Not only was it decked out in a natural, earthy design, but the room also came with a large (not to mention super comfortable) king-sized bed, flat-screen TV with streaming services, a working area, a reading nook, a fully stocked mini-bar, as well as a spacious bathroom.
While these types of amenities might sound typical for any hotel, there’s more than meets the eye with the Circus Hotel Berlin and it’s hard to even know where to begin.
Take the beds for example – the staff spent a whole lot of time researching new bed types and even tested them out for themselves. This long and thorough selection process led to the selection of Birkenstock mattresses. Yes, this iconic German brand makes more than sandals (that people like to pair with socks!). The mattresses make you feel like you’re sleeping on a big fluffy cloud and you’ll have no problem getting a solid night’s rest.
Then there are the hotel’s climate controls. As part of the hotel’s massive renovation effort, they installed a new air conditioning system that’s both sustainable and environmentally friendly. As they should be, they’re especially proud of this unique offering and I hope this sparks a growing trend in the hotel industry overall.
Aside from that, the fully stocked mini-bar comes with all sorts of unexpected delights. I tried out some of their snacks like the Chazz Eco vegetable chips, as well as a very tasty Disco Limo. Inside the desk drawer, there were other fun things available for purchase like a disposable camera you could use to document your Berlin weekend. As much as possible, they also partner with local Berlin-based small businesses for these offerings.
Other room perks include Bose Bluetooth speakers, free tea and coffee, and a library filled with all sorts of interesting books.
The Rooftop Area
One of the big selling points of the Circus Hotel Berlin is its small rooftop area, which provides iconic views of Berlin’s Mitte area and most notably, the TV Tower. I spent some time up there in the afternoon, taking photos, reading, and having a delicious craft beer from my favorite Vagabund Brauerei. Later that evening, a friend joined me there for some sparkling wine and conversation.
There’s an adorable little area with drinks available, called the “Honesty Bar”. This self-service option allows you to grab a beverage, take note of it, and inform the hotel staff later upon checkout.
The Restaurant and Courtyard
Another mainstay of the property is the hotel’s restaurant lounge and garden courtyard area. It’s quite the peaceful little oasis that makes you feel like you’re not in the center of the city, much like Vabali Spa. Amidst a bunch of plants, in summer you can opt to eat indoors or outdoors and take a leisurely breakfast. I went with a big cappuccino and a breakfast burrito and it was yummy. It’s also open in the evenings for those seeking a relaxing dinner or even, just some drinks.
At night, the courtyard becomes all the more magical with the lighted fish-themed installations you see pictured above.
What do you think of the Circus Hotel Berlin? Would you stay at this design hotel when you visit the German capital? Tell us about it in the comments.
The Circus Hotel Location
Where is The Circus Hotel located? You can find them at Rosenthaler Str. 1, 10119 Berlin
The Circus Hotel FAQ
We answer your most frequently asked questions about the Circus Hotel Berlin:
1) How can I get in touch with the Circus Hotel?
Visit their website or give them a call, 030 20003939.
2) What kind of traveler stays at the Circus Hotel Berlin?
People who love unique, designer, boutique hotels. Travelers love hotels that pay attention to details, like a comfortable bed, a mini-bar packed full of interesting things that you actually want to sample, pretty art and decor, and more.
3) What sizes of rooms does the Circus Hotel offer?
From small single rooms starting at 14 square meters to medium, and large rooms, even 50+ square meter apartments, The Circus has a little something for everyone.
4) What are my eating and drinking options at the Circus Hotel?
They have a lounge, bar, and restaurant on the ground floor (including a pretty outdoor terrace), as well as a small rooftop bar. Breakfast is served from 7:00 – 11:00 and the bar opens at 18:00. See more.
5) Is the reception available 24 hours a day?
Yes!
6) When are check-in and check-out times at the Circus?
Check-in is available from 15:00 and check-out is at 12:00.
7) Is there a fitness studio available at the hotel?
No, but they offer yoga sessions and have partnerships with some local clubs and spas. The Circus also offers free bike rentals.
8) Is the hotel child-friendly?
Yes, they most definitely welcome kids of all ages. If you require baby cots or children’s beds, get in touch with the staff to make arrangements.
Berlin’s Transportation Options
The lowdown on your transportation options in Berlin, Germany:
1) To reach Berlin’s city center, you can go by train, taxi, or bus:
- From the airport – Berlin has a new airport, Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport (BER), which is 18 kilometers outside of the city center. You can take an express train, either the FEX, RE7, or RB14, to the city’s main train station, Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Trains run frequently between 4:00 – 23:00 and the journey takes about 30 minutes. A one-way ticket is €3.30. You can also take public transit, using the S-Bahn lines, S9 or S45. The journey to Berlin Hauptbahnhof will take the same amount of time and an ABC ticket will fetch you €3.60. Buses are also an option, the airport shuttle BER1, X71, N60, and X7. Your journey to Hauptbahnhof will take about an hour and cost the same as taking the train. Note, the airport shuttle BER1 is pricey at around €11, so skip taking it if possible. You can take a taxi from the airport, with the journey into the city center being around 30 minutes, longer if during rush hour. A fare should run anywhere between €40 – €50.
- From the main train station – Berlin Hauptbahnhof is located in the city center. Take public transit, a taxi, bicycle, or use your own two feet to get wherever you need to go.
- From the main bus station – The city’s main bus station (ZOB) isn’t in the city center but in the city’s West End. You can make your way to the city center via public transit (there are S-Bahn trains and buses available) and the journey will take anywhere from 15-30 minutes. A single fare will run you €3. You can also take a taxi or use Uber or Bolt. A car journey to Hauptbahnhof will take you 15 – 30 minutes, depending on traffic and a taxi fare will cost €15 – €20.
2) How to get around in Berlin:
- Taxis – As with some other European countries, taxi scams aren’t that prevalent in Germany. You can safely and easily hail a taxi at any stand around the city or use the FREE NOW app to get a traditional taxi.
- Ridesharing – Uber and Bolt are both options.
- Bikes – You can rent bikes (even scooters) from Bolt and Uber. Other bike-sharing companies include nextbike and Call A Bike.
- Public Transit – Berlin has an extensive network of above and underground trains, trams, buses, and even ferries. The most convenient way to purchase tickets is through the BVG app. You can also buy tickets onboard trams and buses, as well as from machines on station platforms (you can select English when you start the purchase process). If you plan to use public transit a lot when visiting Berlin, skip out on buying single-fare tickets and purchase a pass for 24 hours, one week, and more. You’ll save a lot of money this way.
- Driving – If you want to drive in Berlin, consider renting a car from companies like Europcar, Sixt, or Hertz.
Where To Stay In Berlin
1) While we hope you visit Berlin and stay at the Circus Hotel (you really should stay there!), we can also recommend checking out our overview of other Mitte based hotels, or seeing your options on booking.com.
Booking.comPaying For Things In Berlin
Our pro tips help you manage your finances when you’re traveling in Germany:
1) Germany uses the Euro:
- Visit xe.com to find out how your currency compares to the Euro.
- Unfortunately, many places in Berlin only accept cash and not bank or credit cards. If they do accept bank cards, they will only take EC cards and when it comes to credit cards, American Express is often not accepted. There are plenty of bank machines throughout the city where you can get cash.
- When paying by card, you may be asked which currency you want to pay in – choose to pay in Euros to save money on the exchange rate.
2) Germany is about average on the cost scale compared to other European destinations. Berlin is budget-friendly, so you’ll find accommodation, dining out, etc. very easy on the wallet.
3) If you can avoid doing xo, exchange your money in the city center, as exchange rates at the airport tend to be on the high side.
Good To Know About Berlin
Other things you need to know about Berlin, Germany?
1) One way to really experience Berlin is to go on a guided tour. See what things you can do with Get Your Guide.
2) If you love my adopted home of Germany as much as I do, check out some of my other blog posts:
- An Afternoon Walk Through the City With These Frankfurt Photos – Spending an afternoon exploring the German city, these Frankfurt photos highlight the modern skyline, museum embankment, Old Town, & more
- Go On A Day Trip From Berlin And Visit Braunschweig – Go on a day trip from Berlin and visit Braunschweig. Check out what to see and do while there, including checking out the Happy Rizzi Haus.
- Photos From The Hanse Sail In Rostock, Germany – The annual Hanse Sail in Rostock is Germany’s most popular maritime festival. See our photos of tall ships and medieval entertainment.
*Disclosure – My time at The Circus was complimentary and any opinions expressed are entirely my own. This post also contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
