Wilmina

Almut Grüntuch-Ernst and Armand Grüntuch had actually only looked at the old women's prison and district court on Berlin's Kantstrasse for a possible investor. But when that investor dropped out, the architects had already had it. They had a clear vision for the historic brick building from the 19th century, in whose cells, among others, opponents of the Third Reich were imprisoned: a hotel that honors the history of the site and at the same time neither slides into the gloomy nor the trivial (à la "handcuffs at the reception desk"). Grüntuch Ernst Architekten succeeded in this tightrope act with an architectural concept that brings light and warmth to the winding prison wing. Among the 44 rooms are both eleven-square-meter small rooms that fit not much more than a bed and an en suite bathroom, and spacious penthouses. There's particularly ample space in the 75-square-meter suite in the former meeting room. This wide range makes the hotel affordable for different budgets. The architect couple placed great emphasis on environmentally friendly construction, which earned them the German Sustainability Award. The once concrete courtyard became an enchanted garden. It creates a pleasant microclimate, promotes biodiversity and offers guests a view of the greenery. In addition to the hotel, the building complex houses the cultural space Amtssalon and the Lovis restaurant, where chef Sophia Rudolph reinterprets German cuisine. It's best to make reservations in good time, as the tables are booked up quickly. And next door, since 2024, there has been a new building called Carlotta with the Lotta day bar and 5 modern and spacious apartments. This building was also designed by the same architects. Large floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies offer a direct view of the lush Wilmina garden. Whether apartment or room, large or small—there are so many different ways to spend the night here—but only one way to love the Wilmina!

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• Through their bold concept in harmony with the preservation of historical monuments, the architects have brought a forgotten place to life. You can discover references to the original use everywhere such as the barred windows
• The narrow corridors with the original wrought-iron railings are relieved of their austerity by a light installation hanging from the ceiling
• So much ingenuity did not go unnoticed. The design of the Wilmina has won several awards, including Hotel Property of the Year 2022 and the BDA Architecture Award Nike
• Despite its location in the middle of City-West, the Wilmina is a place of tranquility. The planted courtyard is perfect for unwinding after a city tour. The thick walls insulate the sound
• Coming back is worth it, because no two rooms are the same. The architects thought of an individual concept for each room in light colors and natural materials
• Nature was also the inspiration for the choice of furniture and accessories, evidenced by beds from COCO-MAT, herbariums as wall decorations and natural cosmetics in the shower
• The planners paid a lot of attention to the common areas. In the fireplace room, hotel guests can warm themselves in front of the crackling fire. The billiard room offers selected board game classics
• Breakfast with regional foods is served exclusively for hotel guests in the brightly designed library with floor-to-ceiling windows. This is how the day can begin!
• Wilmina Suites offers guests the freedom of a flat and the comfort of a hotel. Spacious layouts, high-quality furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and loggias with a view of the garden

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Handy for families—the small Cosy room can be connected to the neighboring room in the Classic category, allowing room for up to four people
• Baby and extra beds can also be added to the room
• The modern apartments in the adjoining building are between 80 and 246 square meters in size, all have large balconies overlooking the Wilmina garden, a well-equipped kitchen and high-quality care products from Frama
• The stylish sauna at the top of the building invites you to relax under the sloping ceilings
• The gym with a small selection of high quality equipment is open around the clock
• Depending on the season, guests can also swim in the rooftop pool
• A reservation at the Lovis Restaurant is recommended as part of your stay at Wilmina, offering the best contemporary German cuisine in a special ambience. Vegetarians will also find what they are looking for on the varied menu
• A stroll through the lush gardens of the Wilmina leads you to our day bar LOTTA. With a selection of seasonal drinks and homemade specialities, it's the ideal place for breakfast or an aperitif.
• The in-house bakery Wilmina Brot is located next to the hotel entrance. Watch how fresh bread is baked daily in the glass bakery.
• Once you have tasted the menu at Lovis, you can find some of the best Asian restaurants in Berlin on Kantstraße
• An ideal location for exploring the city. In particular, it’s not far to the exhibition center and the Kurfürstendamm
• Enough of the city hustle and bustle? The Grunewald, Berlin’s popular recreation area, is not far away either
• The hotel offers bicycle rental—and thus the best way to explore Berlin