The Ellington hotel has had more lives than the proverbial cat: back in the 20s and 30s it was a famous ballroom, the Femina Palast, complete with table telephones. After the war, it became the Badewanne, the hottest jazz club in the city. Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and other greats performed here. Later on, the building was home to the Dschungel nightclub, and was visited by stars like Frank Zappa, David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

Somewhat less glamorously, the building was also the headquarters of the city's finance department for a while. The wine cellar is in the old safe that held the Begrüßungsgeld that East Germans received from the West German authorities - some 70 million Deutsch Marks. So you're never far away from history in this elegant hotel, which combines classical and modern décor. The bellboy, a bit embarrassingly, is dressed like a character in an Agatha Christie novel.

Jazzradio broadcasts live from the foyer every night, and the breakfasts, although expensive at €19, are amazing.

Check Room Availability