Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

On my recent city break to the Germain capital, I knew I had to pay a visit to the Grand Dame of Berlin hospitality, the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

The location is unprecedented, right opposite the imposing Brandenburg Gate, on the main Avenue that runs through Berlin’s central Mitte district. This is once again the heart of the German capital. Over the past 30 years, the city has regained its physical integrity and the Pariser Platz, outside the hotel, is again the hub of city life. The district is elegant and sophisticated, a refined contrast to the lively ethnic neighbourhoods for which Berlin is famous – a city full of diversity, creativity and exotic culinary trends.

History

The Hotel Adlon is probably Berlin’s most iconic hotel and one of the very first Kempinski properties. Remarkably the hotel survived the allied bombings; yet the hotel’s story was to take a dramatic turn, when in May 1945 Red Army soldiers got drunk in the wine cellar, accidentally setting fire to the basement, and destroying most of the hotel!

It would not be until after German reunification that Hotel Adlon would regain it former glory. The present day Kempinski Berlin hotel was completed in 1997, built to a design based on the original classic Adlon. I can assure you it has all the style and glamour of a classic Grand Dame, yet the contemporary finesse of a modern hotel with a superb, friendly team and an inspirational culinary offering.

Restaurant Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer

Chef de Cuisine Hendrik Otto is the talent behind the two Michelin star awarded Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer Restaurant. The setting is exquisite, with windows overlooking the square and the Brandenburg Gate. The chefs, ‘Our innovative creations originate from a variety of sources. Inspired by childhood memories, travelling to different countries, visits to farmers markets and Mother Nature, they reveal influences and flavours from around the world’.

10 years Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer by Hendrik Otto

This year you can celebrate the restaurant’s decade of success with a special 10 course tasting menu, including starters of Hamichi, Beef Tartare, Langoustines, and dishes of Norwegian Salmon, pork belly, and also saddle of venison. Flawless service is led by world-class Maître Oliver Kraft.

Restaurant Quarré

This the Adlon’s more informal, fine dining restaurant for family-friendly bistro style lunches and cosy and romantic dinners.

The location, on the ground floor is superb, as it also has a larger outdoors terrace with those wonderful city views.

We started our evening meal with hearty German specialities; potato soup, veal frikadellen, and the ubiquitous Currywurst, but here at the Adlon they add a little sparkle with gold dust!

Of course, I wanted to try a Reisling – so it had to be the special ‘Edition Adlon’ by Robert Weil, the famous winery in the Rheingau.

We ordered the splendid Chateaubriand to share, and it made sense to choose a French Bordeaux to accompany.

The experience is truly memorable. The unforgettable location with views of the Brandenburg Gate, spectacular as the sun sets; the superb quality of cuisine; and the service which is top notch. Our server was Lucy who was a real delight. Polished, professional, and knowledgeable, and most importantly genuinely friendly and so helpful in making recommendations for us to make the most of our stay in Berlin.

Accommodation

Rooms and suites have the undeniable Kempinski signature style of refined elegance. Executive rooms meet the needs of business travellers, whilst Deluxe and Superior Deluxe rooms make a great option for city break visitors.

The suites including signature suites are spectacular, with views of the Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz, and boasting separate living spaces and extra luxurious amenities.

Berlin Insights

The concierge are city experts, on hand to help you enjoy an insider’s perspective of this German metropolis.

I can recommend you to visit the Kreuzberg district. With alternative culture, that goes back to the era of David Bowie’s time in the city and before. This lively neighbourhood makes for a colourful start to your break. For places to eat, try Bergmannstraße, a street that encapsulates the Berlin lifestyle. Cool bars and restaurants spill out onto pavement terraces. You can’t go wrong finding a place restaurant around here, from Vietnamese, Iraqi, Kurdish to plenty of Turkish.

Museum Island

Berlin’s Museum Island is a destination in itself. I recommend choosing one or two galleries and preparing for hours of immersive culture. Although the Pergamon is probably the most famous of the five institutions on the island, it is closed for a few years for major remodelling. Instead I bought tickets for the Pergamon Panorama, in a new building where visitors can see masterpieces from the ancient Pergamon alter and metropolis and view and multi-storey 360 degree panorama created by Yadegar Asisi. Other museums in walking distance include Altes Museum, Neues Museum, and Bode Museum. Yet, if you don´t fancy all those classical Greek, Byzantine and Egyptian treasures, then visit the Alte Nationalgalerie for Impressionist and early Modernist artworks.