Destination Berlin: Rocco Forte’s New Hotel de Rome

"Berlin is Europe's new cultural and entertainment powerhouse," says Frommer's. And with three opera houses, 150 performance stages, 200 art galleries, 170 museums, and more bars than any other German city, Berlin easily lives up to the hype. The dynamic capital is a hip and exciting European destination, with myriad five-star hotels to boot. The latest luxury hotel on the scene is Rocco Forte's Hotel de Rome, which opened recently in the fashionable Mitte district. Housed in the historic bank building, the EUR 70 million hotel features spectacular panoramic views of the city's best attractions. The hotel retains the classical style of the original 1889 building-- mosaic floors, the bank vault now converted into a pool-- while showcasing edgy, contemporary design from Tommaso Ziffer, who also designed the Hotel de Russie in Rome. The 146 guest rooms are modern, comfortable, luxurious, and feature all the latest cutting-edge technology, including Broadband Internet and interactive flat-screen television. Book the 120 square meter Presidential Suite and enjoy the incredible full-length terrace overlooking Bebelplatz.