A visit by John F. Kennedy in 1963 left such an impression at this luxury hotel in the Sachsenhausen neighborhood that the proprietors changed its name to Villa Kennedy. Now black-and-white photos of the U.S. president adorn walls of the carefully restored historic grand villa, once home to an influential banking family. The villa and its three new wings are all centered around a garden terrace. Timber floors, soft tones and natural fabrics fill rooms–nab one with a French balcony. A 50-foot lap pool is among the amenities in the four-level, 11,000-square-foot spa, and the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Gusto, boasts a Michelin star. In part due to the large number of privately-accessible suites (36 out of 163 rooms), this hotel draws the city’s most VIP visitors, among them the German Soccer National Team.
Time Out tip: Check the hotel’s website for live music events in the JFK bar.