Berlin - The spirit of the place

"Berlin is a huge city full of possibilities. So it's hard to choose. However, one of my favourite restaurants is undoubtedly Maxwell, in the very arty Neue Mitte district. In the days of the GDR, this former brewery dating from the 1880s was almost abandoned, with weeds growing on the roof. Today, it serves creative German cuisine based on local produce in a very contemporary setting. "post-industrial chic. I recommend this place for business meals. What's more, even though it opened thirteen years ago, this place is still confidential, as it is hidden away in a beautiful courtyard that houses... architects' offices. For a very contemporary atmosphere, you can opt for a restaurant that's very much in the news at the moment: the Alpenstueck. It serves Alpine, Bavarian and Austrian cuisine in a very modern setting. "second degreeWith grandmother lampshades and a particularly contemporary log wall.

As far as hotels are concerned, we should of course mention the very select Soho House, which opened its doors last May in the former Communist Party archives. But I also like the Miniloft concept, created by a young architect who rents out small flats all in waxed concrete. This address may appeal to extended-stay travellers looking for an authentic Berlin experience. For shopping, the concept store on Französische Straße and the chic Quartier 206 shopping centre are a must.

Of course, when it comes to fashion and design, Berlin is extraordinary and offers a thousand possibilities. I think you have to make your own discoveries. It's a bit the same with museums. One of my favourites is the Deustches Historisches Museum, whose modern wing was designed by I. M. Pei, the architect of the Louvre pyramid. The whole thing is extremely sober and bright.

The other place not to be missed is the Berlinische Galerie. Despite its name, this is a museum, opened in 2004, which displays works that have been inspired by Berlin. It's a really interesting concept, and the adjoining Café Dix is a quiet place where you can easily organise a business meeting. I also like the Hamburger Bahnhof, a former railway station transformed into a contemporary art centre, where Sarah Wiener has opened a restaurant. To relax after a long, hard day, there's nothing like a swim in the Liquidrom, a phenomenal pool-spa under a dome, with a splendid play of light. A must-see!

Antoinette Axthelm's good addresses
Maxwell Restaurant
Bergstrasse 22
Tel. : +49 30 280 71 21
Internet : www.mxwl.de

Calpenstueck
Gartenstrasse 9
Tel. : +49 30 217 516 46
Fax : +49 30 217 516 47
Internet : www.alpenstueck.de

Csoho house Berlin
Torstraße 1
Tel. : +49 30 40 50 44 0
Internet : www.sohohouseberlin.com

Berlinische galerie
Alte Jakobstraße 124-128
Tel. : + 49 30 789 02 600
Internet : www.berlinischegalerie.de

Deutsches historisches museum Berlin
Unter den Linden 2
Tel. : +49 30 20304 444
Internet : www.dhm.de

The Corner Berlin
Französische Straße 40
Tel. : +49 30 20 670 940
Internet : www.thecornerberlin.de

Quartier 206
Friedrichstraße 71
Tel. : +49 30 2094 6240
Internet : www.quartier206.com

Miniloft
Hessische Strasse 5
Tel. : +49 30 847 109 0
Internet : www.miniloft.com

Das Stue
Drakestrasse 1
Internet : www.designhotels.com

Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum Für Gegenwart
Invalidenstraße 50-51
Tel. : +49 30 3978 3411
Internet : www.hamburgerbahnhof.de

Liquidrom
Möckernstraße 10
Tel. : +49 30 2580 0782 0
Internet : www.liquidrom-berlin.de