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/

Luxury travel: Hotel de Rome, Berlin

It was Fashion Week in Berlin and I was visiting one of the main destinations of fashion designers in Berlin: Hotel de Rome. This luxury hotel, situated in the heart of the capital city, a couple of minutes away from the Museum Insel, is part of a large network, Rocco Forte Hotels, with several locations in Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Russia, Italy, UAE and Great Britain, among others.

Despite the busy schedule of guests, the lobby is quiet. The discrete buzz behind the curtains, at the reception and in the restaurant or the bar reminds of the former active life of the building during the time when it used to be a bank.

As many other locations in Berlin, this building has its own story too. It was originally built in 1889 as the headquarters of the Dresdner Bank. It continued to be a bank during the Cold War in the then communist Germany and shortly thereafter was converted into a party space. Once turned into a hotel, it was redesigned following a project signed by Olga Polizzi. The old offices become historical suites and the serious halls were given a colourful stylish touch. 

The historical ballroom, for instance, preserves the shapes of the old balconies from where the main managers used to overview the main operations of the bank. Nowadays is adorned with luxurious candelabra whose light is completing the natural daylight provided through the glass roof. It has a capacity of up to 250 guests. The space can be used for big parties, weddings or even congresses.

Another favourite location of the guests, especially for the wedding photos, are the old metal stairs, whose seriousness  was sweetened with some creative yet simple lightening solutions.

Some of the rooms from the historical part were kept in their original format. Nowadays the safe-like doors are hiding the privacy of the customers. Most of the visitors are from the US, UK, Italy, France and Brazil. The guests are free to stay as long as they want.

 

The hotel has 146 bedrooms, with 37 suites. The 4 historical suites have 5-metre high ceilings and original wood-panelled walls. The ambiance is relaxed, with a wise use of the space, whose dynamics are mainly created by a colourful choice of accessories and irregular sizes of furniture. 

The main inspiration of the suites is the active life of the city. The eclectic mixture of materials and styles are keeping a classical main line. Special arrangements can be made for families with children, not only in terms of offering the extra-beds, but also regarding exclusive services focused on the little guests. The hotels provides children's amenities, including slippers and robes, children's in-room dining and restaurant menu, special babysitting services, that may also provide special classes, such as cooking or various entertainment programs. 

While I am presented those details, I sigh nostalgically: wish I am a child to get all this pampering treatment here...

Even for luxury hotels, the bathrooms aren't always looking too stylish or inviting. Thins are different in the case of Hotel de Rome, where the wall mosaic brings a welcomed note of elegance. In addition, all bathrooms feature heated floors, with walk-in showers and separate bath. 

The modern rooms have more bold colours, but the same combination of elegance and practicalities is kept. You can easily work comfortably in your room, have a special business meeting or a conference call. For high-speed Internet one may need to pay around 20 Euro/day. 

The best kept secret of Hotel de Rome is the pool, hosted in what once used to be the old jewellery vault. A perfect choice, isn't it? It is the longest hotel pool in Berlin, of 20-meter, mostly reserved for the hotel's customers. Bachelorette parties can be also booked. The spa has 6 treatment rooms, a Finnish Sauna and a gym. In the summer, the hotel's terrace can be used for yoga training. 

The nail parlour is another example of successful integration of the long-term memories of the building. The small window was used to bring the necessary supplies of money to the bank. The original metal door frames and some of the closets were kept. The space can be also transformed for a romantic private dinner. The candle lights and the tasty food possibly create a different ambiance. 

As I decided in the next weeks to test the offer of afternoon tea in the non-English city of Berlin, I love to hear that there is a special program offered in the Opera Court, for 35 Euro. The location looks inviting, cosy and even discrete, although it is an open space. I am already thinking to my next visit.

The restaurant Parioli has a Mediterranean menu changing weekly, offering mostly seasonal dishes. The breakfast is basically a buffet, composed by local German jams from Spreewald, pancakes and eggs Benedict. The average business lunch costs 26 Euro for 2 courses. 

If interested to meet the VIPs, most probably the bar is the perfect place. The bar and lounge offer not only views over the Bebelplatz, but also a variety of drinks and cocktails. As in the entire hotel, people are working all round the clock here too. The room in-dining is available 24-hour. 

One hour later after I started my tour of the hotel, the same discrete buzz is continuing, with the same welcoming quietness in the main lobby. You don't have to be a fashion designer to want to return here, even only for another hour of afternoon tea. 

More views of Hotel de Rome, on the Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/hotel-de-rome-berlin/

Disclaimer: I was offered a complimentary tour of Hotel de Rome, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.

A welcoming oasis in the middle of Berlin: Hotel i31

Hotel industry and tourism in general is one of main success stories of Berlin. Visitors from all over the world are coming to the German capital city for fun, business, conferences or to explore the city before deciding to relocate her for a while. In the last years, more and more boutique hotels entered the game, trying to keep the pace with more and more demanding customers. One of the new entries is Hotel i31, inaugurated almost one year ago.

It is situated in the Mitte area, on Invalidenstrasse, very close from Hauptbahnhof/Central Station. It is an area with many small bars and restaurants, a couple of block away from the Museum of Natural Sciences. For the moment, the main connections to different points of interests in Berlin are the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, but there are under way constructions for a new tram line. Some of the works are held in the front of the hotel, but apparently the usual noise is not heard at all indoors.

Even though the main decorations of the hotel are not signed by significant designers, everything looks friendly, chic and welcoming. While I am sipping a coffee in an original cup of KPM Manufaktur porcelain, I notice the simple colours and welcoming ambiance of the lobby. Everything looks relaxed and friendly. I am right in another hip area of Berlin, after all.

The hotel doesn't have a proper restaurant, but the temporary residents of the 103 rooms of the hotel, can have a good start into the day with a rich breakfast. For the summer, an outside terrace invites for relaxation after an exhausting day out. The main target of the hotel are 35-55 year olds, couples but not necessarily families with children. The main visitors are from Germany, US, UK, Russia and Brazil. 'The countries of origin of our customers reflect the diversity of Berlin', says Zeev Rosenberg, the general manager of the hotel who offered me a complimentary tour of the premises.

The rooms are simply yet elegantly decorated, in two main colour schemes - white and brown. Free WiFi is part of the menu. The rooms are usually provided with a simple minibar, a tv, and if rains, a complimentary umbrella.

A little cozy couch in the corner is the perfect place to rest before planning more trips around Berlin. The hotel can help the visitors with guidance and information about where and how to go in different places.

Those interested to organize a mini presentation or conference at the hotel can benefit of all the modern facilities.

Nothing compares to a good glass of wine at the end of a good day. Near the bar, in the lobby, I admired an impressive collection of wines from all over the world. The Moroccan lamps and a French or Italian wine may help to remember that, after all, we are nowadays simple citizens of a big world.

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

More photos from Hotel i31 can be seen at the dedicated Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/ilanaontheroad/hotel-i31-berlin/

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

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/