Elegant Summer at Regent Berlin

With the 'heat wave' - for me, between brackets because, seriously, 30C is nothing more than a very normal temperature - coming back to Berlin for a while, one may notice how easy is to find a simple place for a drink or two. Things are a bit complicated if you are looking to pay not only for the hydration, but for the ambiance. Where you want to feel good and be served with a good offer, while being surrounded by people like you.

You need to rely on local knowledge for that. Discretely located in the busy area of Gendarmenmarkt, Regent Berlin is that oasis of elegance where you would perfectly spend a couple of long hot summer days and evenings. You go there to see and to be seen but without too much hussle, get a 5-star plus service and menu. Sounds fair?

First and foremost, the summer terrace, open daily between 10am and 10 pm, has a Veuve Clicquot bar. Simple, elegant, yellow and ready to treat your wishes. For the healthy conscious, you can have tasty smoothies and ice tea and beverages recommended by their famous Master Tea Gold Roland Pröh. The menu includes salads and snacks to balance the booze, but also various local (drinking, again) products, such as Belsazar Vermouth, Adler Gin or Rollberg Beer.

For the first time this year, if you are visiting the terrace between 12 noon and 12 pm, and 6pm and 10 pm, you can order there lunch and dinner from the gourmet restaurant Charlotte&Fritz. Previously Fischer Fritz, it was renamed based on the guests' suggestions and recently re-open to the public after an intense renovation process. Nowadays, in a Belle Epoque ambiance, you can taste regional dishes with eclectic influences from all over the world, with a weekly changing menu, created by chef de cuisine Jörg Lawerenz. 

There is another great chance to have a taste of the restaurant exquisite dishes: recently, together with Babor Institute by Christiane Lingner, Regent invites you to lunch, after a beauty treatment offered around the corner. The one hour of wellness is offered Tuesdays and Saturdays and is suited for both men and women.

Regent Berlin is more than a posh hotel where to spend your night. It offers histories and stories. And, what is not so easy to find in Berlin, an exquisite afternoon tea that I was lucky to try a couple of years ago. Master Tea Gold Roland Pröh highered the stakes even more, by a completely innovative package for the non-English realm: Victorian afternoon tea. On flowery painted China, you will be served at the same time sweet and savory pastries, and tea with hot water and milk on the side. The afternoon tea is bookable for minimum of three persons on the weekend, between 2pm and 6pm.

With a long list of local and international personalities on their guest lists, among which Tom Cruise and the team of FC Bayern, Regent Berlin is happy to share local stories with their guests. As this year the innovative German architectural Bauhaus movement celebrates 100 years, the hotel offers special 8-hour packages, with private guide and chauffeur, during which you will discover the most representative buildings in Berlin and their unique stories. 

Regent Hotel is part of the Berlin story, which invites you to become a local, while maintaining your usual standards. A story which already goes on and on successfully for many years.

Disclaimer: I was a guest of the summer terrace of Regent Berlin, but the opinions are, as usual, my own

For more travel stories, follow my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ilanatravels

Louisa's Place: Ku'damm's best kept secrets

Is no secret that Ku'damm is one of my favourite places in West Berlin: it has the best restaurants, shops, architecture and parks. As I am living in the city, I am not necessarily interested to check the accommodation options, but it seems that the offer is equally interesting. One of the first days of winter, I entered the warm world of Louisa's place, a former villa built in 1904 to check one of the most recommended places to stay in the area.

Bearing the name of a beloved Prussian Princess, it has 47 suites, of 5 different categories, covering from 40 to 100 sqm. The entire location is built around the concept of full service: the reception is available 24/7, laundry and shopping services can be requested all round the clock.

In order to keep the privacy of the guests, if you arrive there for the first time, you need to be opened the door, as the access is restricted. A quiet and colourful world is waiting for you on the other side of the door of this 5-star hotel.

Either the guests want to stay for 2 days or 2 months - or even more -, the hotel is ready to accommodate their wishes. Each suite - with 2 rooms - has a fully equipped kitchen and a deep freezer. There is no mini-bar, but all the needs of the guests can be accommodated. Compared to the standard Berlin kitchens, it has a lot of space, and the coquette mini-bar offers a pleasant corner to relax and enjoy the time.

The price of the breakfast - 22 EUR. - is not included in the price of the room. Hence, the guests are free to chose either they eat in the room or they enjoy the company of other guests at the restaurant downstairs.

Green is one of the newest colours of some of the rooms. The predominant colours are from the pastel category, the furniture, brought from France is elegant, without being extravagant, and disposed in such a way that doesn't overcharge the space. The simplicity is answering the needs of a large category of guests, from artists to fashion designers, business men and families with children. For longer stays, the rates can be significantly reduced.

The main design idea is to keep a certain historical charm to the rooms. However, each suite has satellite TV, with DVD player, telephone and high-speed wifi for free. Although situated on a very busy street, with 24/7 activity, the usual buzz doesn't enter the cozy apartments.

Upon arrival, each guest receives a hand-written letter from the manager. Time to make new friends!

Each detail of the decoration seems to be carefully chosen. In the lobby, a small bas-relief of Brandenburg Gate invites to long trips outside. Louisa's Place has its own branded guide with regular recommendations about where to go to eat, shop and enjoy the cultural diversity of the city.

The second apartment I visited has yellow as the predominant colour and even more space allowed. For the family with children, the suites of more than 50-60 sqm. are recommended. Each apartment has its own style, more space and almost the same category of facilities.

The majority of the guests are from Germany, followed by the English-speaking areas - especially the US, as well as from Russia.

During the spring and summer, the breakfast can be taken on the little balconies provided for most of the rooms. An enclosed little garden can be used for various parties and family gatherings.

The game of pastel colours used for the design creates a special ambiance. On the walls, aquarelle images of Berlin.

Being a guest at Louisa's place guarantees access to a big wellness area, restricted to the visitors. Surrounded by a painting of Potsdam in the summer, the swimming pool is open from 6am to 11pm and especially family with children enjoy spending time here. It is provided with a fitness room and sauna, with access to massage and manicure, services coordinated by Katrin Wilke. Building a steam bath is part of the list of priorities of the hotel for this year.

The famous coiffeur Udo Walz has an office here, where, by request, he can make the hair of the guests look as stylish as possible.

The breakfast is taken in the hotel, but for lunch and supper, the gourmet restaurant Balthazar is next door.

The last and favourite stop for me: the library. A place with many books in different languages, an interesting game of lights and shadows playing over the light colours of the decorations and furniture, where you can work, sip your wine or check the latest news. The boiserie was brought from a 18th century castle in France and this is the space and the time where the guest is brought as long as he or she wants to.

It is the end of my tour, and for a while, I am jealous of those who don't leave in Berlin and can have the chance to be the guests of such a special place.

For more insights from Louisa's Place, here is the dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/louisas-place/

Disclaimer: I was offered a complimentary tour of the hotel, but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Regent Hotel: the unexpected oasis of luxury

I never have enough time to explore Gendarmenmarkt, except when I have to go to a concert or I am looking for a quiet place near Brandenburg Gate. Or, after the long tours of shopping visits at Galeries Lafayette. This time, I am happy to be the insider of Regent Hotel, a five star hotel with a well established 10-year tradition among the luxury brands in Berlin.

At the first sight, the modernist simple facade doesn't say anything about what is hidden behind the doors. People are coming and going around, busy or simply ready to find out where their new tourist destination is. Once I enter, all the rush and colourfulness of Berlin is left outside. A little palace of elegance and quietness, with huge beautiful flowers and marble walls.

Regent Hotel was described by Condé Nast Traveller 'one of the best places to stay in the world', but it comes with a culinary delice: the two-star Michelin restaurant Fischers Fritz. Under the gourmet coordination of chef Christian Lohse, it also offers daily business lunch menu, but can also set up private dining, for a room up to 15 persons. The ambiance is very private, and no wonder that big world stars are often guests of this place. Like Bruce Willis, for instance, who paid at least one visit here during his stay in Berlin.

The hotel is also the proud owner of a lobster press, one of the five in the world (out of which one is part of the collection of Christofle Museum). The lobster is introduce inside, in the dedicated compartments and press swiftly till the flesh is coming up. As usual, good gourmet results involves always a lot of technique.

The hotel has 195 rooms, decorated in the elegant simplicity of Biedermeier style. The variation of colours is pastel, the rooms being painted in lime or the very powerful salmon rosé, my favourite. The space is well portioned, the massive classical furniture being placed in order to give a lot of space and freedom to the guests.

The beauty is made of small details. The lobby of each store has wallpapers with motives inspired by nature that are matched with Art Nouveau lamps.

Given the special home-made ambiance, no surprise that the hotel is offering extensive packages for children. The little ones are offered gifts such as cuddle toys, colouring books or chocolate candies. A nanny service is available for the families looking to have some private time during their stay at Regent. During this time, the children can be kept busy too, among others, with classes where they learn the good manners. The Executive suites do have adjacent rooms for children, provided with special amenities, such as child tailored DVDs. The guests who make their reservation up to 30 days in advance, may receive a complimentary upgrade.

Visiting the rooms leaves you with a special feeling of quietness and strength. It is not difficult to make yourself at home and enter that unique ambiance you are longing for when you are on the road. Especially when you travel a lot, the need to be in the middle of familiar spaces is always there, despite all the glamours of the travel life.

The rooms are provided with everything needed for creating an elegant privacy. Wifi is free of charge, the housekeeping service is done twice the day at least. The concierge service is available all round the day. At the spa, luxury massage and beauty treatments are available. Berlin tour guides, in German, English and French are available. The premier suites do have a small kitchinette space where the dinner can be prepared by the concierge. The concierge is available to help and plan various plans of the stay of the guests, such as car renting, booking flights etc.

Another unique feature of Regent Hotel, is the possibility to have your own jogging concierge. Head concierge Stephanm Mehlhorn, an experienced sportsman himself, is ready to show the guests the most beautiful routes for jogging across the city (besides the well known Tierpark). Special jogging maps are offered, with directions and various recommendations tailored to the jogging needs of the customer.

Sometimes we are reminded that the well-being and luxury are not for ever and while we are thankful for the moment, we need to consider the fate of those who have nothing. Regent Hotel is involved as well in charities, last year being awarded the Franz von Mendelssohn Medal for charitable commitment.

The presidential suite is often hosting high-class VIPs, from the world of sports - like the VIPs of FC Bayern - politicians or movie stars. The small French style balcony was used by Tom Cruise's daughter Suri for learning her first independent steps. In order to offer her special protection, a plexiglass shield was set up around the metal fence. With such a beautiful view, you might be inspired to walk by yourself to see all those place by youself! Cruise stayed here during the filming for his movie Valkyrie, that was partly shot at the Babelsberg Studios in Potsdam.

Inside the hotel, a conference room can host up to 180 people. Press conferences are often organized there, as it happened this February, for the two Pussy Riots members Nadejda Tolokonnikowa and Maria Aljochina, during their first trip abroad as free persons. I am sure that the walls of the hotel saw many other personalities and their choices, but what happens in Regent Hotel, stays in Regent Hotel. 

It is time to relax, and the simple afternoon tea is the happy ending of my short stay at Regent. Served in Meissen porcelain, it is prepared under the close supervision of the Tea Master Gold, Roland Pröh. Nearby, there is the terrace, which this year has a lavender summer theme.

It is not easy to say 'good bye', and I can feel what the long-term guests may be going through when they have to part ways with this beautiful island of luxury. However, modern technology helps to keep in touch, and a special app, downloadable for free, helps the customers to keep in touch with the newest highlights. One of the newest offers is the special package made in cooperation with Rolls Royce and KPM Manufaktur, offering a high class experience with luxury cars and perfect porcelain.

Stay elegant, Regent Berlin, hope to see you soon!

For more insights from Regent Hotel, visit the dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/regent-hotel-berlin/

Disclaimer: I was the guest of Regent Hotel for an overview of the rooms and an afternoon tea, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.

Cocktail o'clock at sky.bar Berlin

Berlin has so many temptations, maybe too many. Finding the best of them could be a matter of luck, inspiration or good research. With only a few free days left to spend in Berlin before the long travel vacations, I want to be left only with the best memories of this short summer. Plus, being on the road most of the time, left me only with few chances to see my old friends in the city. Thus, any good tips are more than welcomed for spending the time at its best. As a guest of the sky.bar, at the last floor of andel's hotel Berlin, I give a big chance to a cocktail o'clock evening.

The colourful design andel's hotel is easy to notice, from the S-Bahn station Landsberger Allee. Although situated in an area without any big tourist temptations, the hotel can be easily reached by Ring S-Bahn and in less than one hour you can be to any famous landmarks of the city.

The list of cocktails is long, and the combination of ingredients is highly elaborated. Either the mixture may sound too extravagant or too unique to be true, the temptation is always there. Besides the classical recipes, many of the cocktails do have fresh fruits or veggies and spices added to top brands alcoholic drinks. My friend is a bit faster than me when it comes to choices and much more brave to try Picante cocktail, combining: dark rum, strawberry liqueur, raspberry liqueur, limes, fresh strawberries and raspberries, balsamic glaze, pepper, lime juice and cane sugar syrup. The fresh fruits are bringing tonic flavours to the rum, while the pepper is adding some strong notes, balanced only by the cane sugar syrup.

Little by little, people are arriving, although the evening is still young. The usual ritual is to find a good spot, to order the cocktail and while waiting, to make a tour of the glass windows for taking pictures of the iconic locations of Berlin that can be seen. The chairs and tables are situated in close vicinity, which create a little problem sometimes, especially if you dare for more privacy. However, there are enough good spots where you can spend a good time, with a good view, without being bothered or bothering the others. The design follows the main lines of the overall design of the hotel, made up of different colourful splashes, placed in the most unexpected corner, that bring a certain youngish accent to the space.

My first cocktail choice is the green goblin: Hendrick's gin, lychee liqueur, lychee, cucumber, lime juice, cane sugar syrup. It is refreshing, although not very cold, with a lot of sweet accents, brought in by the cane syrup and developed in an unique taste by the lychee.

The sky.bar also has a long food menu, mostly sandwiches and finger food. Roasted salty nuts and a bowl of fresh fruits were part of the very fast and bilingual - German/English - service.

Time goes fast especially when you want the least, and we are ready for the next orders. My friend is set for the gingerly Six Feet Under: pepper vodka, ginger beer, radishes, basil, lime juice. Although two alcohols in a cup can be a bit risky, the predominance of ginger beer reduces the strength of pepper vodka. The veggies and the lime juice are contributing to the freshness and a sparkling note. Very good choice for the summer time.

I am trying a Strawberry-Basil Margarita: tequila, strawberry liqueur, strawberry purée, fresh strawberries, basil, lime juice and cane sugar syrup. It may look as a very elaborated fresh fruits salad, but it's very serious, thanks to the tequila drops. Adding basil contributed to the bouquet of strong flavours, while the strawberries brought a lot of natural sugar reducing the strength of tequila.

When we are about to leave, it is late in Berlin, but people are still trying their luck to discover a different city. At least, the iconic TV tower is easiest to recognize. As for me, I hope to be brave enough to try to see how does the city looks covered by snow. I'm grateful though that there is so much time till then, although the idea of trying a new different cocktail soon is even more appealing.

For more insights about the cocktails, the bar and andel's hotel, have a look at my dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/andels-berlin/

Disclaimer: I was the guest of sky.bar for a cocktail's evening, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.

Afternoon tea chez The Ritz-Carlton Berlin

Although it has the perfect ingredients - and I am talking about the weather especially - for a successful afternoon tea formula, Germany is still a bit far away till adopting the good English habits. Especially now, when the dark, cold and bad weather is present more than ever, having a cuppa and enjoying a luxurious afternoon could be a good smoothing way to offer yourself a spark of wellness. In one of the last days of this summer, I started again the search for the best afternoon teas in the city, ending up at the little palace of luxury hiding near the high-scrapers from Potsdamer Platz: at the unique The Ritz-Carlton Berlin. Early this year, I have been the guest of the first Ritz-Carlton in Germany, in Wolfsburg, where the afternoon tea left me with unforgettable memories of tastes and special tea flavours. As I was told that each hotel from this chain do have its special luxury trademark, I am here to discover the different reality. The afternoon tea takes places at the end of the huge lobby, designed according to the principles of Berlin's main architect, the 19th century Schinkel. Although situated in an open space, there is enough privacy and quietness to relax and enjoy your afternoon. Regularly, background piano music creates a special ambiance for the guests.

As much as I would love to close my eyes and maybe have a little end-of-the summer dream, I know that I am here for work. The passion of the master tea Hernan Caballero telling me the story of the various teas I can chose from brings me back to the daily life. As usual, I am highly impressed by people that followed their dreams and passions and Hernan is a successful one of them. Trained by the famous Mariage Frères in France, whose special teas are exclusively served here, he makes my tea choices even complicated, as it seems that behind each flavour it's a whole fascinating story. I can spend full days in the front of this sniffing box so, who knows, maybe I have enough passion too to be a tea master myself as well one day.

As Hernan explained, sugar can change completely the texture of the tea and if you really want to have the real taste you should be careful with the sweetness as well as with the various taste combinations of the side dishes. In the case of the black tea, for instance, the sugar and the lemon can smooth the flavour, while too much caramel to the green tea will almost completely neutralize the green tea taste. As for now, there are 68 sorts of tea available, introduced in detail, in English and German, in an elegant booklet offered to the guests for consultation and lecture. The organic honey offered as an alternative to sugar is made on the roof of the hotel, at the 7 beehives that produce around 3-400 kg. every year.

With so many new stories, my brain is fighting hard to make the right choice, at least for now. Trying to make my life easier, I decide to stay around my comfort zone: the green tea. As I was missing Japan lately, I said 'yes' to Gyokuro. According to the explanation offered in the tea menu, this tea seems to the result of hard work, similar to that of a work of art. Only buds are plucked, very carefully by hand, and only once the year. But before that, the plants are placed under the shade for three weeks in order to increase the concentration of chlorophyll and reduce tannin. The result is considered to be 'the most noble, refined, and precious green tea in the world'. Brought in Mariage Frères teapot, it's the best green tea I ever had - and the secret is that I am drinking as much green tea as possible: very simple, balanced, flavoured in a very neutral, humble way. Every drop brings more peace and balance and I'm almost back in my dreamworld.

But it's time to add some good foodie company to the special tea. The three-tiered plates are not less surprising. From warm raclette to small sandwiches with cucumber and various veggies cover or the delicate small pieces of sweets, everything ask me to stay more, just because I need to be truly objective with my final review, of course.

Now, the perfect ambiance seems to be complete: the elegant architecture, pleasant background music, the tailored furniture - especially made by German artists, the small pieces of food, each one having a small delicious secret, as only one different concentration of spices or a bit of salt can make things completely different and, of course, the exquisite tea. The afternoon tea takes place every day between 2pm and 6pm. Besides the usual classic and Experience French Aroma - offering an exclusive Mariage Frères experience - afternoon tea there are also special Ladies Tea offers - for before and after the shopping tours and tailored winter offer during the holiday season. Regularly, there are also offered various tea classes, especially for children.

When I was expecting less, the fresh, delicately warm scones, with clotted cream arrives. The combination between smooth fresh pastry and the perfumed clotted cream, with flavours of orange and lemon, is like the yin and yang of food excellence. The recipe of creating simple things might be more difficult, as you simply should wish for that perfect measure. It seems that in the case of this simple plate, the secret formula was used.

As for the sweets, every simple bit is set to impress: the macaroons are one of the best I had in Berlin, and believe me, I am desperately trying to find the most crunchy, delicious ones for a long time already; the small chocolate beds with slices of strawberries do mix the sour cocoa taste with the natural freshness of the fruit; the small slices of cheesecake with berries do have a natural taste of smooth cheese, moderately sweet but the fruits make all the difference; the many other lucky combinations between various fruits - from passion fruit to various types of berries - and fine dough.

My sweet reveries are interrupted again by Hernan who is asking me to make the second choice of tea for the day. This time it's easier - it's not that difficult to get used with the good life - as during the first presentation, the story of the Lotus Blanc caught my attention. It says that on the high plateau of the Northern Indo China, the tea planter places at down some of his best green tea in the heart of each white lotus flower. He then folds the petals over to permeate the tea with the pure fresh fragrances of the aromatic stamens. It's moderately smoked, which gives a very interesting air of mystery to the tea experience, rich in unknown flavours and slightly perfumed. Although aware of the special medical qualities of such a tea - helping among others to balance the low blood pressure - I am savouring every single sip with the same interest as I would share for looking at some beautiful jewellery. Maybe besides diamonds, good teas can be a girl's best friends too. Need to seriously think about it one day.

When my afternoon tea is over - at least for now - I know that there are so many cuppas with their secret stories waiting to be discovered that I should be back soon. Maybe after so many years I finally found the right way to enjoy the long German winters, after all.

For more impressions from the afternoon tea, have a look at the dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/afternoon-tea-chez-ritz-carlton-berlin/

Disclaimer: I was the guest of Ritz-Carlton Hotel for tasting and testing their afternoon tea, but the opinions are, as usual, my own. 

The Ritz-Carlton Berlin: the luxury oasis from Potsdamer Platz

Without reading a couple of books and watching maybe some more movies, it's hard to imagine how Potsdamer Platz in Berlin used to look nothing far but 30 years ago: a depressive no-man's land, just another picture of the Cold War. After the reunification of Berlin, it grew up as one of the most modernist areas of the city, with sky scrapers - something not that common in Berlin and in Germany in general. Behind the remains of the Berlin Wall and some futuristic architecture, there is hiding another hidden secret of the city: The Ritz-Carlton, one of the two hotels from the chain. Only ten years older, it equals in elegance and beauty the first ever Ritz founded in Germany, the one from Wolfsburg, that I visited a couple of months ago.

My journey at The Ritz-Carlton started with a delicious afternoon tea, improving my knowledge about green teas while enjoying delicious bites of perfect pastry and cakes.

My passionate guide through the world of teas for the day, Hernan Caballero, has another great talent: drawing and following the tradition of The Ritz-Carlton, his talents were encouraged and introduced to the visitors of the famous bar. His maps listing the geography of various drinks in the countries around the world are proudly showed on the tables. And he is not the only one here whose individual talents are recognized, as the hotel also used recently the greeting cards designed by one of the apprentices.

It's not time for the champagne brunch at Brasserie Debrosses, but paying a visit around is an interesting experience, at least from the architectural point of view. It reunites the old French brasserie style  - the floor is originally brought from an old 1874 French Brasserie with the same name - and the old former communist Germany influences in the furniture. The food served is French though. During the summer, the outside terrasse is an invitation to stop but not for too long, as there are so many shopping and cultural temptations around - almost most of the interesting top attractions of the city, from the Brandenburg Gate to the Tierpark are within minutes of walk from the hotel.

But not only the adults are invited to enjoy their time in luxury: special programs for kids are offered all round the year, besides special presents given upon checking-in, like polo shirts with their name on it.  There is a chocolate festival for them and various cooking classes only for them - like waffle baking, as well as a special cocktails and afternoon tea programs. Wish there were such options when I was a child; probably I would have discover the pleasures of the afternoon tea much earlier. In addition, scavenger hunts or special tours of the hotel are also part of the regular menu for the smallest visitors. In the rooms, they will be waited by special beds and maybe some bed covers with their special cartoon characters.

Meanwhile, the adults can enjoy the latest add to The Ritz: the Fragrances bar where special cocktails are prepared based on perfume recipes. Just think about your favourite famous perfume and soon you will taste it! As for now, there are around 15 cocktails available, based on recipes whose ingredients were tested enough to produce an unexpected pleasant surprise for the palate.

Out of many other temptations, I would love to be back to try the Yuzu Watermelon, based on sake and lemon and watermelon syrup. Don't worry about asking an overdraft soon. One cocktail can be as cheap as 14 Eur. And you taste it from the lounge of The Ritz-Carlton...

The works of art, mostly created by German artists, are there to add another layer of distinguished ambiance to the other layers of educated pleasure.

The interior design inspiration, a project made by Peter Silling, was inspired by the work of the famous Berlin architect Schinkel, whose signature is visible in most of the civil architecture of the classical Berlin. The glittering of the Swarovski chandelier and the mysterious corners of light are the modern translation of some old school classical principles.

The lobby avoids extravagance for the elegance of style. When you arrive from the colourful joyous yet noisy outside, you might think that you arrived in your private universe of luxury. However, behind the closed doors of the many hotel offices, people are behaving in the most responsible possible ways allowed by the 21st century. The energy used is green, out of the recycled paper used in the offices,  around 5,000 school books were made and donated to a school in Wedding. Almost 65% of the vegetables used by the restaurant are produced at the field owned by the hotel in Mecklenburg Pommern. The own beehives are producing nothing less than around 300 kg. of organic honey every year. And the examples of sustainable luxury could continue...

For a short moment, you can relax and think that you can spend here the rest of your stay in Berlin. Why not, you even have some Berlin Wall Memorabilia, some horrible grey concrete monsters laying on the polished floor. Another example that the Ritz-Carlton is not afraid to face the daily realities is the special open doors program organized a couple of months ago, when the Berlin citizens were invited to have a tour of the hotel. Maybe only few of them will ever be able to afford to every pay around 14,500 EUR/night for a stay at the luxury hotel suite, but at least they will be able once in a while to make some savings for an afternoon tea. Going out of your comfort zone is always a good challenge to take once in a while.

Regardless of your plan, this hotel can be the best place to start new beginnings. In your life, for instance! What about an unforgettable wedding photo made on those white marble stairs? If you already married, at least you can try an extravagant selfie. If you rather like the 'old style', there is a photo booth in the lobby, where your photos are issued with a personalised logo of the hotel.

For the very special guests, as the US president Barack Obama, a guest of the hotel, high-end privacy and security can be offered. As in the case of other hotels from the chains, there are different levels of privacy offered, the basic being offered at the club from the 10th floor.

Basically, there is a hotel inside the hotel, with its own reception, lobby, meeting room, as well as other kitchen facilities.

There, you can have your meals with an overview over Tiergarten and the modern architecture of the Western Berlin. Enough to want to finish your meal now, make your business meetings as successful as possible and just run out to know the city. What about a jogging trail through the Tiergarten, based on the advice of the specialists of the hotel?

The Ritz-Carlton has 303 guest rooms, out of which 39 suites and a presidential suite. Add to this the banquet and meeting space, as well as the high-end facilities offered at the spa. For the highest security area, there is double access and other special facilities.

The good taste and simple elegance are the predominant feature of the rooms. From the decorated walls, till the match between the furniture and the carpet, there is hard to find any failures.

Suites can have 2 bedrooms, bedside control panels, in-room Internet and various luxury amenities. The customers also have access all round the day to the swimming pool and the fitness space.

There are also heated bathroom floors and a very inviting sauna, just two stairs away. What if?

But it's about time to end my adventurous trip in the world of cocktail fragrances, green teas and marble ceilings. There is time for the opening call of the gentlemen's club too. Good bye, good life! Welcome back to the real life of Berlin!

Disclaimer: I was offered a free tour of the hotel, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.

For more images from The Ritz-Carlton, have a look at the dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/the-ritz-carlton-berlin/