Orania Hotel - a Grand Hotel in Kreuzberg
The Orania is the sister hotel of the renowned Schloss Elmau, nestled at the foot of the Wetterstein Mountains.
Surprisingly, in this vibrant corner of Kreuzberg we find a touch of the serenity and coziness that the Bavarian wellness retreat is known for.
In the elegant listed building from 1912, the welcome is warm, the lobby cozy and the standard luxurious.
Stepping outside we are right in the heart of edgy, colorful Kreuzberg, where some of our favorite restaurants, like St. Bart or the Long March Canteen, are just a short stroll away.
For those who prefer to stay cocooned in the hotel’s inviting embrace, the in-house restaurant serves the most delectable Peking duck, while the bar offers fabulous cocktails, often accompanied by live music.
A place with history
This turn-of-the-century building, with its ornate facade and beautiful staircase, was originally commissioned by merchant Leopold Jacobi as an office space.
Its ground floor housed the Café Oranienpalast.
The Jugendstil café was known for concerts and cabaret performances - a vibrant cultural hub of its time.
The building’s history spans the upheavals of World War II, the legendary Trash-Club era, squatters, a discount supermarket and even its role as a venue for the 2010 Berlin Biennale.
Yet for us, the spirit of the old café still resonates most vividly in today’s charming lobby.
The Lobby as a Meeting Point
It’s rare to find a hotel lobby these days that feels like a lively, welcoming space where we love to linger - a place to read a book, have a good drink or a small snack or even to play a round of Scrabble.
Orania’s lobby delivers just that.
With its cozy sofas, inviting armchairs and warm lighting, it creates an homey vibe.
What truly sets it apart, however, is the heartfelt hospitality of the entire team. Their genuine care for guests fosters a great sense of comfort and well-being.
The transition from reception to bar, lounge, restaurant, and the semi-open kitchen flows seamlessly, subtly marked by light, colorful drapes that softly divide the spaces.
The X-berg Duck
In the evening, the restaurant offers a five-course menu centered around the “X-berg Duck“
This sensational Peking duck is an absolute must for anyone staying at the Orania!
The elaborate feast unfolds in a lounge-like setting, complete with the warmth of a crackling fireplace and piano music.
Dining doesn’t get much more relaxing than this.
The Breakfast Club
In the morning, as the breakfast buffet is laid out, the restaurant transforms completely, while offering views of the green park outside.
For us, as self-confessed late risers, the stress-free luxury of being able to enjoy breakfast until 2 p.m. is absolutely perfect.
From noon, it’s à la carte only, but we almost prefer it that way - the French toast with banana or the egg bagel is so yummy!
The Perfect Room
What else is there to say?
Rooms start at 17 square meters and can be booked with courtyard-facing windows.
For those looking to shut out the hustle and bustle entirely and who don’t need much space or a view, these are a perfect fit.
We found the 45-square-meter suite overlooking Oranienstraße to be incredibly luxurious.
But our personal favorite is the Orania 25(sqm) with a view of Oranienplatz.
The room is thoughtfully designed for two, featuring a large bed, a small desk, a lounge chair and a generous bathroom.
It exudes understated luxury, hitting just the right note without overdoing it.
The hotel’s motto says it all: “We are serious but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
For us, this captures the essence of grounded luxury with a warm, inviting touch.
