A visitor at the Adlon courts

It is not easy to find the elements that may define nowadays the 'German brand'. Some may say the speedy cars - but nowadays, there are many other nations that are producing efficient and famous car brands as well, other will probably mention the 'spirit of discipline'. It is not easy to acquiesce the list of qualities and features that may rally the big majority of voices. At least for the city of Berlin, Hotel Adlon Kempinski, situated close to the center of main important events held in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is a constant part of the story.

The hotel was founded in 1907 by Lorenz Adlon, that improved her experience in the nascent tourist and hotel industry of the time working in Belgium or Mainz. His ambition to create a 'Luxushotel' for Berlin took real shape and shortly, Adlon Hotel was included on the priority maps of travels to Europe of royal heads and businessmen. The first and most distinguished guest was the Emperor Wilhelm II, whose main request was that no one set foot inside the hotel before him. Throughout his life, he constantly supported and, when necessary, helped Adlon financially. Almost 90 years after, the 1997 re-opening ceremonies were attended by the German president at the time, Roman Herzog. An unusual presence of Berlin head of state, usually reluctant to be part of official business events, but an open recognition that Adlon is more than a Berlin business, but part of the country brand.

Partially destroyed during the war, and completely burned out after, the hotel was in the impossibility of a proper functioning during the Cold War and till 1997, it was only an episode of history. The new Adlon reflects the style of the original hotel keeping the same luxuriant style of the 1920s. Most of the famous elements were reconstructed following the original models, among them, the Lalique lamps in the lobby and the black elephants, a gift from the Mahardscha of Patiala. Tourists usually come in the lobby to take pictures or to have a coffee. The prices are luxury standards, and a breakfast can go till 29€.

Each summer, the outside terrace selects a geographical area for inspiration. This year, the star is the Russian Caviar, a pleasant news for many of the regular guests. During the cold season, the chill out area moves to the winter garden, where many events, including regular cooking classes, are aimed to keep the guests safe from the effects of the depressive long evenings.

From the lobby bar, I went to the 'Sra Bua by Tim Raue' restaurant, offering Asian fusion meals, in an ambiance of Cambodian museum. The harmony and peace is the feature of the spa oasis, where it is possible to organize bachelorette parties and other private events. Adlon Spa by Resense offers the classical beauty treatments and massage, using products by Dermalogica and Daniele de Winter. The wellness feeling can be kept longer if following the yoga courses by the Himalayan Yoga master Vijay Kumar Vyas, in the meditation room. For those looking to keep fit after so many meals at the restaurants, the gym area with the heated pool can help.

The rooms offer an excellent mixture of luxury, quality design in the spirit of the 1920s, high-class services (the famous butler Dirk Ricardo Durner is ready to help the residents of the three presidential suites to enjoy the best of their stay in Berlin) and leisure. The presidents and royal heads visiting Adlon are busy persons and the facilities they usually need, among others mini offices and conference rooms are a proof of their busy schedule. But as long as they are away, they also have the possibility to get some distance from their regular problems. The presidents look outside the window at the always busy Brandenburg Gate and think about history. The princes and princesses may admire the inspired flower arrangements brought to them by florist master Mario Weidner, famous for knowing almost everything about the floral preferences of the influential guests. The businessmen can decide to take a walk around the area, maybe in the quiet Tierpark, detached of the daily deadlines and money transfers. Adlon reminds to their guests that they are powerful and thus allowed to dream for more from time to time.

For more about the interiors of Adlon Kempinski, check the dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/adlon-kempinski/

Swinging Afternoon Sunday chez Adlon in Berlin

Less than one year after I visited the glamorous Hotel Adlon, I am back. It is the early beginning of May but the weather didn't change too much, wearing the same unfashionable grey tones. At 14.55, I'm in the iconic lobby of the hotel, looking to find out where the famous Swinging Sundays are taking place. I don't want to be late, but it's not possible to get lost and with the prompt advice, I entered the gates right in time. As I was getting closer to the hall, I saw more and more very elegant people heading in the same direction. For me, it's the only time when I see such a big concentration of very well dressed people in Berlin. All going to the same place with me.

But let's keep the questions for later. At exactly 15.00, the Metropolitan Orchestra starts the first song: Cielito Lindo. Instantly, the ring is getting crowded.

 

I can't take my eyes off the ring, that mesmerized that I hardly remember that I should eventually go to my reserved place at one of the table placed strategically at the margins. Everyone seems to have years of dancing experience and the following cha cha cha dancing goes perfectly well. And it will go like this from a dancing style to another, either it is a Viennese Waltz, a rumba, a Turkish rhythm, tango, or rock'n'roll.

Finally I made it to my table making my way through elegant waiters carrying huge bottles of the best champagne, where the afternoon tea treats are waiting for me. There is a diverse yet simple selection of small sandwiches, followed by delicious rhubarb cakes at the next level, with the last level of delicacy: macarons and fine chocolate cakes with whipped cream. Not in the mood for delicate champagne, but for a special teapot of fine green tea, brought to me very fast.

But people aren't here for munching, but for dancing. Again and again, I am trying to get out of my mind the wave of thoughts of regrets for not taking any dancing class earlier in life. Although my gentle neighbours, one arrived especially from Vienna for this special event, the last till October, encourage me to accept the invitation of the professional dancers inviting from time to time the lonely ladies to dance, I prefer to keep observing the ring from outside. I am told that there is a special German school of dance whose principles are mixing high end technicality and mobility. High efficiency, as usual, so maybe it will work for me too, one day?

Even I'm not on the ring, I still can enjoy the afternoon ambiance though. No worries, no problems, catch the glittering eye of the moment! The live music of the band, plus the voices of singer Annika Lund and entertainer Rainer Sommer, are bringing back the spirit of what people use to describe as the 'crazy 1920s'. The first part of the repertoire is very much in line with the Marlene Dietrich checklist, as well as most of the dresses and hair styles.

During the short 30 minutes breaks, some couples keep dancing getting fit for the new session.  Each new song brings the public closer to our musical times. Till the end of the swinging afternoon, we have Gypsy Kings, Tom Jones' Sex Bomb or the classical New York, New York. The musicians are changing costumes as well, and the tables stay empty and the cakes untouched. To be honest, I never saw so many different generations united not only by lifestyle, but especially by the same passion for good dancing. 

I don't know how three hours are gone, but they are gone fast. The elegant entertainer Ingo Raabe, carrying a delicate small dog with glittering leach, announces the end of the party, with an invitation to return October 4, this time in a new location. I have the whole summer to train my clumsy dance steps. I am offered a second chance, it seems. A new challenge on the bucket list right now...

For more images from Adlon, have a look at my dedicated Pinterest board covering previous visits: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/adlon-kempinski/

For mode details of the afternoon tea project, check this: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/afternoon-tea/

I tried to catch the lively ambiance in two YouTube videos on my channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Ilanaontheroad

Disclaimer: I was offered the invitation to review the swinging afternoon Sunday tea by Adlon Berlin, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.