The plot follows the intersecting lives of several guests at a luxurious Berlin hotel. Grusinskaya, a reclusive Russian ballerina, is contemplating retirement after a series of professional failures. At the same time, Baron Felix von Gaigern, a charming young man with a criminal streak, plans to steal the ballerina's valuable pearls to pay off his mounting debts. Meanwhile, Otto Kringelein, a terminally ill accountant, decides to spend his life savings on a final extravagant stay at the hotel, even though he has lived a life of modest means.

Parallel to these stories, Flaemmchen, a young stenographer, finds herself entangled with the debonair yet morally ambiguous Preysing, who is in the middle of a high-stakes business merger. Each character unknowingly shapes the destinies of the others, leading to friendships, betrayals, and unexpected entanglements. The hotel serves as a microcosm of the human condition, showcasing the convergence of diverse lives and the fleeting nature of their interactions. The narrative unfolds within the opulent backdrop of the hotel, providing a poignant look at ambition, desire, and the transience of life.