Château Royal Berlin: a refuge for lovers of design, art, and discreet luxury
Located on the elegant Unter den Linden avenue in Mitte, the central district and one of Berlin’s most iconic neighborhoods. Its name, meaning “center” in German, reflects both its location and its historical role as the heart of the city, where numerous tourist, cultural, and political attractions converge.
Address: Neustädtische Kirchstraße 3, Berlin (Germany)
In a vibrant city that has reinvented its identity over and over, the Château Royal boutique hotel emerges as a haven for lovers of design, art, and discreet luxury. Primarily because this accommodation is not merely a place to stay but an experience that fuses history with modernity, becoming a destination in its own right.
The origin…
Behind Château Royal is Stephan Landwehr, co-founder of the renowned Grill Royal in 2007. This restaurant became extremely popular within the local and international artistic community, and despite the passage of time, it remains a gathering place that intertwines Berlin’s social fabric with a fusion of gastronomy and art.
After this success, in 2023, Château Royal was born, a meticulously designed boutique hotel that pays homage to art—a shared passion for Stephan Landwehr and his wife Kirsten, a former gallery owner. Together with Krist Gruijhtuisen of the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, they curated works by over 100 artists that decorate the hotel. This dedication allows guests to enjoy an exquisite selection of genuine artworks throughout all its spaces, both common and private.
“Château Royal is a sophisticated space that perfectly combines design, art, and gastronomy.”
A building with history and character
Château Royal stands in a building dating back to the early 20th century, beautifully restored to preserve its historical character while embracing modern comfort.
It comprises two listed buildings from 1850 and 1910, seamlessly integrated with a new modern construction and a rooftop extension designed by the renowned David Chipperfield Architects.
Interior design was entrusted to Irina Kromayer, who created an inspiring project where every corner of this hotel reflects a deep respect for its heritage, blending original architectural details with modern design elements.
Each individually decorated room embodies this unique fusion, where historical moldings coexist with clean-lined furniture and natural materials, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
One element that particularly fascinated us was the beautiful wallpaper created by Thomas Demand.
93 rooms and suites
The 93 unique rooms and suites are spread across five floors. As a hallmark, different contemporary artists have contributed a permanent artwork to each room. Each room is individually designed with high-end materials and features custom-made furniture alongside selected vintage pieces, lamps by KL Ceramics, armchairs, sofas, and mohair velvet poufs designed in collaboration with Christian Haas, along with classic herringbone parquet flooring. With ceilings reaching three to four meters, the rooms offer a generous sense of space, and large windows allow abundant natural light. The bathrooms are inspired by iconic Schinkel and Bauhaus styles, with handmade Craquelé tiles.
In keeping with their strong commitment to sustainability, every effort has been made to ensure the rooms are plastic-free, decorated with sustainably sourced natural materials, including textiles from natural fibers and hypoallergenic bedding, and cleaned without chemicals to the highest standards.
Additionally, the bar serves beverages from sustainable producers.
Public spaces
The lobby, bar, restaurant, private dining room, lounge with fireplace, rooftop, and Hackesche Höfe—where guests can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner—all enhance this unique hotel, which also boasts a distinctive bronze dome with a weather vane by artist Cyprien Gaillard.
Art as a connecting thread
As previously mentioned, one of Château Royal’s defining features is its commitment to art. Its walls are adorned with pieces by both local and international artists in a curated selection that transforms the hotel into a living gallery.
For guests and visitors, this offers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Berlin’s cultural scene.
More than 100 artworks are displayed throughout the hotel’s rooms, as well as in the restaurant, bar, hallways, staircases, or even on the facade. These works range from painting, sculpture, installation, film/video, photography, text, sound, light, or performance. Noteworthy examples include a life-size bronze sculpture by Alicja Kwade titled “Self-Portrait as a Ghost”, Karl Holmqvist‘s neon installation in the breakfast area proclaiming “Hurrah Die Butter ist Alle” (“Hurrah, the Butter is Gone”), the “Denkmal” sculpture by Julian Charrière, and a painting by Simon Fujiwara, among others.
These works and their respective artists have a profound connection with both Berlin and Château Royal.
High-level gastronomy at the hotel’s restaurant
The hotel’s restaurant is led by chef Philipp Walther, whose impressive resume includes experience in some of the world’s top restaurants. In this unique venue, he presents a modern, meticulously crafted cuisine with Mediterranean flavors and seasonal ingredients, available for both lunch and dinner. With a focus on the highest quality, many of the products are organically certified and sourced from the region, ensuring a truly exceptional dining experience.
Naturally, the restaurant space—both indoors and outdoors—is beautiful and very welcoming.
In essence, Château Royal embodies the spirit of this great metropolis, which isn’t defined by a single identity but celebrates a diversity of influences. At the same time, it represents the most refined version of contemporary hospitality, where every detail is thoughtfully designed to provide a unique experience, infused with style and character.
PS: To get around the city we recommend the Berlin Welcome Card, which is the one we use.
(*) Photos by Felix Brüggemann and Elina Bergs, provided by Château Royal Berlin. Artwork: Cover: Thomas Demand; Photo 1 and 5 rollover: Karl Holmqvist, Conny Maier; photo 2 rollover: Damien Hirst; photo 3 rollover: Yngve Holen, Cosima von Bonin, Joachim Grommek, Klara Liden; photo 4 rollover: Helmut Middendorf; still photo 2: Paul Hance; still photo 3: Samantha Bohatsch.
