Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof

The Pullman brand is known for their modern and upscale hotels that can be found all over the world and the Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof, by Accor Hotels, is no different. Located in the German capital, right next to the zoo and Tiergarten, the Pullman Berlin was our first impression of this brand as well as the city itself. From the moment we stepped into the reception area we were swayed by the decor and details. I’m not sure what the giant giraffe in the entryway is for—but it was fun nonetheless!

We really enjoyed the close proximity of the hotel to the zoo and Tiergarten Park areas. We like to get outside and that feeling of being outdoors while still in the middle of a city is great. I was pleasantly surprised by the views of all the trees from the windows in the Chill Out Space as we headed to our room on the 9th floor. Also, our room was really great! It was so spacious, which is always an added benefit, especially considering we don’t normally spend too much time inside other than to rest and sleep. However, we will never complain about having more space.

Breakfast each morning was fantastic. There was plenty to choose from, including fruits, meats, cheeses, potatoes, breads, eggs, butters/creams/sauces, and more. I tend to stick to the savory side of things so I’m not sure about any of the sweeter breads or the jams or honey, but I’m sure they were all great because everything else was. We especially enjoyed the small potatoes they had, which we would pair with the herb cream cheese. It was very tasty!

Places to Visit in Berlin

Once you’re all settled into your hotel, it’s time to check out the city. In no particular order, here are some of the local sights we visited.

Victory Column & Tiergarten Park

You can walk here from the hotel if you’d like as it’s really not that far away and walking through the park and next to the zoo is quite nice. We didn’t go inside the Victory Column itself, but you can access the main area (in the center of the roundabout) via underground passages spread around the site. Please, don’t try to cross the roundabout to get to the center because it’s very busy. While we were in the area we could see people at the top of the Column, which I would imagine would give some pretty nice views of the surrounding Tiergarten Park.

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate can be seen from the Victory Column (one of the roads off the roundabout leads directly to it). You will most likely end up here at some point in Berlin because it’s near other sites like the Reichstag Building and Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It’s really an impressive site, both from the front and back, but it can get very busy during the day. When we went early one morning there was next to nobody around.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

This wide-open memorial is situated very close to the Brandenburg Gate and is well worth the visit, both to pay your respects and because of its unique styling. Having been to memorials, museums, and other sites that should be respected and kept sacred, this one seemed a bit different. The fact that anyone can walk in, around, and through the memorial makes the atmosphere much louder and the whole experience a bit more…joyous than one would expect. You will see children running around playing hide and seek. You will see people walking their dogs. You will see visitors climbing the concrete slabs. People will be talking and laughing and there will be selfies. I almost wish some of these things weren’t so, but I think this memorial is as much for the living as for those that have passed, which perhaps means people should be happy and lively.

Note: there are signs saying no pets, no alcohol, and no jumping around on the concrete slabs.

Reichstag Building

This is the Parliament building located close to the Brandenburg Gate and Tiergarten Park. This can easily be visited along with many other sites in the area. If you’re looking to go inside you should register for tickets (they’re free, but you need a time slot) ahead of time. The Reichstag Dome is a very popular tourist attraction.

East Side Gallery

This remnant of the Berlin Wall has been covered in murals and art from many, many artists. None of the signs along the route are in English, but it’s still well worth a visit to see what the wall looked like and to admire and wonder at the different pieces of art.

Oberbaum Bridge

Right next to the southern end of the East Side Gallery you’ll find the Oberbaum Bridge. The red brick and detailed turrets really make this bridge stand out, especially when there’s a yellow train (or two!) crossing over it.

Berlin Cathedral

In the Museum Island area you’ll find this massive and beautiful structure. It was under construction (along with many other buildings) while we were there, but it still looked amazing. Somehow, Lauren’s clothes seemed to match the colors of the cathedral, including the scaffolding.

Overall, it was a great experience for our first time in Berlin, in large part due to our excellent stay at the Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof. Thank you for reading and please let us know about any of your favorite places in Berlin!