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As I set off in search of some of the highlights Michael suggested, I found myself falling in love…with Berlin. I was completely taken by this city that beautifully fuses its turbulent history with modern progress. Resilience, diversity, and reconciliation seem to drive Berlin forward, always looking to the future, while not forgetting its past. There were signs everywhere that Berliners own their past, but are not defined by it. I could see this in the remains of the Berlin Wall that now acts as a backdrop to sexy Porsche convertibles and ultra-fuel efficient Smart cars. There are public service billboards next to the Brandenburg Gate to promote homosexual tolerance and acceptance , and a shimmering panoramic dome of steel and glass on top of the historic Reichstag. Such juxtaposition can also be found in the bold design of Hotel Q!, defiantly resisting any single style or movement, it boldly stakes its claim to the future while residing in one of Berlin’s oldest neighborhoods.

Hotel Q! is unique, even for Berlin. Can you take us on a virtual tour?
The architects Thomas Willemeit, Lars Krückeberg, and Wolfram Pütz (yes, they are all German) are often referred to as the “wild ones” from the firm GRAFT. They’re best known for their work on Brad Pitt’s Hollywood Hills studio and are favorites of other American celebrities, too. Here they are not so famous as in the United States and this was their first hotel design in Germany. The “wild ones” worked with the hotel’s owners, Eva-Miriam Gerstner and Wolfgang Loock, to create optical and heretical features in the hotel. The central element of our rooms is the bath, which has been integrated into the sleeping area. The architects used some extraordinary materials such as artificial ostrich leather, baked oak, and slate. Within our rooms, walls are no longer boundaries, but actual pieces of furniture with their own sense of movement and flow. The hotel’s wellness area is a tranquil oasis with heated sand floors and a Japanese-style washing zone and sauna. Here guests can wind-down and relax with massage, yoga, a personal trainer, or manicure and pedicure. But the heart of Hotel Q! is our private membership bar where our guests can meet some of Berlin’s chic local residents.

What are some of Berlin’s hottest neighborhoods?
Hotel Q! is located in a very stylish neighborhood called Charlottenburg in the west part of Berlin. Close to us you will find the Zoologischer Garten (Berlin Zoo) with Berlin’s most famous resident: Knut the polar bear. Also nearby are the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, possibly Berlin’s most famous landmark, as well as the Charlottenburg Castle, Berlin’s largest and most beautiful palace. While the hotel is located on a small, quiet street, just steps from us you will find the fashionable Kurfürstendamm, a wide street that hosts many fine restaurants, bars, galleries, and some of Berlin’s best shopping boutiques. A very trendy neighborhood close to the hotel is Schöneberg, where you’ll find much in the way of gay culture, shops, and cafés. Mitte, in the center of Berlin, is another neighborhood popular for its gay nightlife. A good website where you can learn about Berlin’s neighborhoods is http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de

Where do you send your guests shopping in Berlin?
Herr und Frau Nitschke (Rochstr. 5. Tel: 30-970-04794) is a great place for jeans lovers. You’ll find unknown labels here as well as shoes and bags. F95 (Frankfurter Allee 95-97. Tel: 30-420-83358. http://www.F95store.com) is very cool for shopping. It’s a lifestyle store with jeans, accessories, books, jewelry, and fragrances. rung.napa (Knesebeckstr. 27. Tel: 30-886-77934. http://www.rungnapa-berlin.com) is the place for trendy shopping. They offer design objects, books, and boutique clothing in a fun atmosphere. The Porsche Design Store (Am Kurfürstendamm 190-192. Tel: 30-887-17830. http://www.porschedesign.com) is a unique place to pick up a real German souvenir. They put the same great German engineering and design that you find in Porsche sport cars into sleek luggage, watches, clothing, and many other accessories. The KaDeWe (Tauentzienstr. 24. http://www.kadewe-berlin.de) is Berlin’s largest and oldest department store; it’s over 100 years old. Located in the center of the city, there are seven floors where you can find anything you need. They really have everything you can imagine, from magazines, tobacco, and fine jewelry to high fashion and electronics.

Tells us about the best of gay Berlin.
Since the wall came down, Berlin has changed a lot. Nowadays, most of the buildings in the east part of town have been renovated and restored, and the west part of town is getting “hip” again. Many large companies have moved to the city, like Universal Music and MTV, so Berlin is more filled than ever with creative, open-minded people. That really helps to make all of Berlin a great city for the gay traveler. In the Schöneberg neighborhood I recommend having a drink on the terrace at Café Berio (Maassenstr. 7. Tel: 30-216-1946. http://www.cafe-berio.de) for good people watching. A popular gay lounge is Heile Welt (Motzstrasse 5. Tel: 30-219-17507. http://www.heile-welt-berlin.de), which is especially crowded on Friday nights. SchwuZ (Mehringdamm 61. http://www.schwuz.de) is also legendary for clubbing. In the Mitte neighborhood there are many popular clubs. La Loca (http://www.laloca-party.com) produces a weekly tea dance on Sunday at Bangaluu (Invalidenstr. 30. Tel: 30- 80-969-3077. http://www.bangaluu.com), which is very popular. At events produced by GMF (http://www.gmf-berlin.de) you’ll find the hottest DJs and a party that goes late into the night. A popular and crazy monthly party is Irrenhaus at Geburtstagklub (Am Friedrichshain 33. Tel: 30-428-51336. http://www.geburtstagsklub.de), hosted by Nina Queer. For a good time in Berlin, you should get to know Nina (http://www.ninaqueer.com). Meanwhile, Berghain and Panorama Bar (Am Wriezener Bahnhof. http://www.berghain.de) is always a lot of fun for the serious techno-party-all-night types.

When it comes to dining, which restaurants are at the top of your list?
Florian (Grolmannstr. 52. Tel: 30-313-9184. http://www.restaurant-florian.de) is a quaint restaurant that offers continental cuisine with a twist. The wine list is extensive and there is outdoor seating in season. Zur Letzten Instanz (Waisenstr. 14-16. Tel: 30-242-5528. http://www.zurletzteninstanz.de) is a very old restaurant in a restored medieval building. Coming here is like going back in time. Even Napoleon was said to have dined here. Epoque (Knesebeckstr. 76. Tel: 30-886-77388 http://www.restaurant-epoque.de) is a small, contemporary restaurant with a fresh menu. They have a wonderful wine list with emphasis on German white wines and French and Italian red wines. Kaefer’s Restaurant Dachgarten (In the Reichstag, Platz der Republik. Tel: 30-226-29935) is on top of the Reichstag so you are sure to have a wonderful view. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offer one of the best views of the city. While you are there you can also explore the building and history of the German parliament. I recommend dinner there for the sunset view. For unusual dining, I recommend Unsicht (Gormannstr. 14. Tel: 30-243-42500. http://www.unsicht-bar.com). You will not have a view here because you will be dining in complete darkness. The idea behind this restaurant is to let your eyes relax and let your sense of taste and smell have complete control.

Any final tips you can share with Passport readers?
Spring and summer are my favorite times of the year in Berlin. I love to go swimming in the beautiful Wannsee (a large natural lake) in the southwest of Berlin. Berlin’s “Central Park” is the Tiergarten. It’s a beautiful oasis in the middle of our city and in the warmer months it’s a good place for sunbathing and people watching. Arena Berlin (Eichenstr. 4. Tel: 30-533-2030. http://www.arena-berlin.de) is a huge, multi-purpose community center with art, culture attractions, and food. Here you’ll also find Das Badeschiff, which is a large swimming pool built in the river. Opernpalais Unter den Linden (Unter den Linden 5. Tel: 30-202-683. http://www.opernpalais.de) is my favorite place to go for sweets. Daily from noon, they offer up to 50 different cakes and tarts. On Sundays they also offer a delicious Jazz Brunch.

[Published: November, 2007]