The Five Finest Berlin Hotels
Old concepts don’t die easily. And this is especially so with concepts that have proven to be successful and timeless. Take the concept of luxury hotels, for instance. If anything, despite the age of mass tourism, there has been a renaissance, a reemergence of demand for luxurious hotel accommodations. And Berlin is no exception here. Since the reunification, five star hotels have sprouted out of the Berliner landscape like mushrooms. And this is a collection of five of what I believe to be most delectable.
Number 5: The Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin (The Kempinski). If you prefer a five star location directly on the KurfÃ?¼rstendamm, Berlin’s Champs d’Ã?Â?lyse The Kempinski is the obvious choice. In 1951, Dr. Frederic W. Unger, one of the last of the Kempinski family, was not daunted by the difficult times in Germany. The symbolic power of this substantial building endeavor exemplified the courageous optimism of the post-war German reconstruction period. It was and, in a way, remains a hub of West-Berliner high society. All 249 rooms and 52 suites are designed with a certain classical, yet modern flair and meet the highest standards of comfort and elegance. The staff is especially service oriented, not always a given in Germany, and your wish here is quite literally their command. Dining is always a pleasure here and Kempinski’s Grill has become somewhat of a gastronomic institution in Berlin.
Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin
Kurf�¼rstendamm 27
10719 Berlin
Tel. +49 030 883 6075
www.kempinskiberlin.de
Number 4: The Hilton Berlin. Located at the historical Gendarmenmarkt, The Hilton Berlin couldn’t possibly offer its guests a better location. Everything “you have to see” in Berlin, is a five minute walk away. The Hilton’s huge selection of 589 exclusive rooms is also an experience in and of itself. Seven restaurants offer some the most delicious delicacies available in town (don’t miss the Polynesian specialties at Trader Vic’s). The bars are, in a word, excellent. The swimming pool is the most beautiful and the wellness services are the finest available in any hotel in Berlin. Ask about the LivingWell Express. And business travelers will definitely appreciate the ultra-modern conferencing resources.
Hilton Berlin
MohrenstraÃ?Â?e 30
10117 Berlin
Tel. +49 030 2023 0
www.hilton.de/berlin
Number 3: The Grand Hotel Esplanade Berlin. This new, completely modern, “designer” hotel located between the New National Gallery and KurfÃ?¼rstendamm has established itself as the most popular five star hotel in Berlin. The location is very good, it’s practically the middle ground between Potsdamer Platz and the word famous KaDeWe department store. Its 400 rooms offer all the luxury one would expect from a hotel of this class. One sees that these rooms have all been designed with individual care. The Harlekin Restaurant offers some of the best steaks in town and, well, it would be a shame for any visitor to Berlin to miss stopping by Harry’s Bar. Believe me, the drinks alone are worth the visit. There is certainly more pomp out there, more granite and gold, but no other hotel has such naturally friendly personnel and such “nice” service.
Grand Hotel Esplanade
L�¼tzowufer 15
10785 Berlin
Tel. +49 030 25478 0
www.esplanade.de
Number 2: The Ritz-Carlton Berlin. This beautiful building can’t help but remind one of those “classic” art deco skyscrapers of New York City. Located directly on Potsdamer Platz, the heart of new Germany, these 302 gorgeous guest rooms and 39 suites are the very definition of first-class hotel luxury. And location is plays a major role here, too. The Sony Center, The Reichstag, FriedrichstraÃ?Â?e, The Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, The Philharmonic Hall, and the Opera are all within easy walking distance. The seven hotel restaurants offer gourmet excellence with an emphasis on Italian and French specialties. The Vitrum in particular has established itself as an exceptionally creative dining venue. The Tea Lounge is the perfect place to relax with an afternoon tea – or spend half the day there if you chose, inviting as it is. If it all gets to be too much, and the afternoon tea still won’t bring you down from all of the excitement, do visit their La Prairie Spa. You won’t regret it.
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The Ritz-Carlton Berlin
Potsdamer Platz 3
10785 Berlin
Tel. +49 030 33 77 77
www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/berlin/
Number 1: What else? The Hotel Adlon Kempinski (The Adlon). His Majesty Kaiser Wilhelm II paid tribute to the place with his visit back in 1907, establishing it as the first-class-hotel of choice for the chosen of Berlin – and elsewhere. Everyone from the Tsar to Charlie Chaplin stayed here. During the brown age, it became somewhat of a “little Switzerland in Germany”. Hitler avoided the place. A fire destroyed most of the building at the very end of the war. After the reunification, the Hotel Adlon was reborn. It reopened in 1997 at its original location, directly opposite the Brandenburg gate. It is a spacious new building, extremely luxurious. And its also quite expensive. So if you are looking for a sophisticated, completely modern atmosphere with an ever-present feel for the past, the Adlon will certainly meet your needs.
Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
Unter den Linden 77
10117 Berlin
Tel. +49 030 2261-0
www.hotel-adlon.de
