We are on the way to the capital of Germany to review
its most famous hotel, the legendary ‘Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin’
located at the boulevard ‘Unter den Linden’ at the famous Brandenburg
gate. We took the ICE train, which connects all major German cities and offers
table dining service. Miss Joanna Dziersk a young lady well-dressed in red from
the Hotel Adlon, met us at the train, and the bellman that accompanied her took
our Rimowa luggage over from the door. The timing was perfect, as if they knew
where our first class cabin would come to a stop.
A BMW 750 IL was parked at Berlin’s
‘Hauptbahnhof’, the main entrance and here under a blue, spring like
sky we were officially welcomed with a glass of Dom Perignon by the attractive
ladies in red. The luxurious BMW town car was equipped with built-in massage
functions and arrived within a few minutes at the Brandenburg Gate, which is
situated next to the Hotel Adlon’s main entrance. The sight of the Hotel
Adlon Kempinski Berlin is breath-taking and will send a shiver up the spine of
even the most discerning traveller.
As the story goes, a wealthy wine merchant and
restaurateur Mr. Lorenz Adlon was determined to build a fine hotel on the
Pariser Platz at the Brandenburg Gate and asked German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm
II for help to intervene with the owners of the Palais Redern, a landmark
designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a Prussian architect and city planner. The
Emperor, who a great supporter of progress, cleared the way for Adlon's
purchase of the Palais, and its subsequent demolition. The Adlon, first opened
on October 24th 1907 and was quickly acknowledged as one of the most beautiful
hotels in the world with specific praise for its architecture, artistic design
and technical advances.
It was one of the most famous hotels in Europe between
the two World Wars offering unheard-of modern amenities to high paying guests
and celebrities like Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin, Herbert Hoover, Josephine
Baker, Marlene Dietrich, Thomas Mann, Enrico Caruso and numerous Heads of State
- located only blocks from the Chancellery and other government ministries.
Hotel
Adlon historical view (CLICK HERE to take a closer look). The Adlon hotel
continued to operate throughout World War II, although parts were converted to
a military field hospital during the final days of the Battle for Berlin.
Miraculously the hotel survived the war without any major damage until May 2nd,
1945 when a fire broke out in the wine cellar ignited by carousing soldiers,
which left the main building in ruins.
The President of the
Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Roman Herzog re-opened the Hotel Adlon in
1997. After more than 50 years, the Adlon was restored and inaugurated once
again at its original location in Berlin's most historic center. This hotel has
had its ups and downs and has gone through different stages and finally reached
its true potential, of a Seven Stars rating through the tireless and innovative
efforts of its managing director Oliver Eller, his hotel manager Franck Droin
and their ambitious teams. Mr. Eller, a Cornell graduate, took over the
management of the Adlon in August of 2010 and hired as his hotel manger a
graduate of Les Roches, Switzerland,
Mr.
Franck Droin (CLICK HERE) shortly thereafter.
The Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is the only hotel in
Germany that has its own rose (yes, the flower). The dedication of the unique
Adlon Rose occurred in July 2011 in the presence of managing director Oliver
Eller and Felix Adlon, the great grand son of hotel founder Lorenz Adlon, rose
expert Leif to Baben, Rosenkönigin (rose queen) Franziska Maiwald and
florist Mario Weidner as well as Felix Adlon’s wife Nina and their six
children. Five girls and a baby boy who is named after his famous
great-great-great-grandfather Lorenz Adlon. Ms. Nina Adlon, a soprano, sang
during the dedication the Rose overture of Richard Strauss’ ‘Der
Rosenkavalier’, ‘The Knight of the Rose’.
Hotel
Adlon Kempinski Berlin - Presidential Suite
Entering the main lobby of the Adlon foyer on an early
afternoon is a feeling that one must truly experience. The lobby has been
decorated with gold plated ceilings, French windows and a stained glass dome
based on a painted ceiling design by Carl Friedrich Schinkel. Eloquence and
comfort is sipping tea or enjoying a cool cocktail from the bar; history
repeats itself. High Tea is a well respected ceremony at the Adlon which one
should try with some Petite Fours or a piece of these incredibly delicious
torts with freshly whipped cream on the side. Guest who are checking in at the
main counters are all offered a glass of champagne with a splash of the Adlon
Rose Water, which is really unique and helps to set the mood. It is delicious
and allows one to relax while listening to the splashing of the elephant
fountain or the hidden piano music player from the Bel Etage above.
The Adlon was buzzing;
‘The Grand Dame’ is the place to be. We were guided to one of the
three elevators and then up to a stunning presidential suite. In addition to
the three presidential suites the Adlon features close to four hundred rooms
and suites, several banquet and ballrooms and restaurants.
The decor within the suites as well as the rooms that
we get to see were impeccable, part of the walls and doors were covered in
mahogany and the classy furnishings were made of mahogany or cherry wood and
decorated in eloquent style. One of the interesting technical highlights is the
electronic key card system, which simultaneously turns on the lights and
air-conditioning and opens the door. The Adlon is also famous for its "Welcome"
chocolate and sugar art, which is not just delicious but also most creative and
delightful. Designed by Sous-chef de Patisserie Ms. Tina Herzog, these
magnificent sweet creations never failed to impress us or anyone else, as a
matter of fact. Ms. Tina learned her sweet trade in Dresden and keeps the
guests of the Adlon in sweet delight since several years already.
Adlon
- Pastry Art (CLICK HERE to take a closer look)
Private butler service
comes with the rental of any of the Presidential suites, which are located in a
state of the art high-security wing; all other suites offer butler service upon
request. We understand why stars, celebrities and heads of state reside at the
Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin; the hotel offers guests discreet access to
private parking and most venues. Practically all reservations and arrangement
may be made through a personal butler who converses with the concierge
directly. A great butler works instinctively and suggests discretely and is
practically non-present, however he / she is missed when he /she is not
present.
Mr. Ricardo suggested to open the welcome bottle of
Dom Perignon, which was placed on the living room table, a 2002 Andy Warhol
edition with Warhol designed champagne glasses …. "since it was already so
nicely chilled" …. and maybe just a little plate of lobster bisque or
maybe the stone-mushroom soup on the side?" As it turned out Mr. Ricardo was a
mind reader and had instructed the kitchen to prepare a delicate ‘soup to
nuts’ ‘Mittagessen’ for us. The entire meal was delivered to the
suite after which Mr. Ricardo took over. Soon, this master of personal service
invited us into the traditional dining room where he served his most delicious
and well-paired lunch, prepared by Executive Chef Leonard Cernko and his team.
(Please
CLICK HERE to take a closer look). In another example of the butler
service at the Adlon, our shirts were professionally laundered and suits and
ties dry-cleaned and neatly folded during our entire stay. Our Rimowa suitcases
were expertly packed with clean shirts that were neatly paper wrapped for the
trip home. It’s the little things that make all the difference, just like
the herb sachets in the wrapping and the shoes that were expertly shined. His
service was authentic, kind of like flying a private jet, once tried one hardly
wants to settle for standard 1st class. Mr. Ricardo’s level of service was
truly exceeding all our expectations.
Instead of normal
switches, the rooms are equipped with easy-to-handle control panels (all nicely
disguised in the upper drawer of the night stands) with which the circulation
and humidity of the air and the room temperature can be regulated, and the
nightlight for room and bathroom can be switched on and off - A gadget one
really finds likeable, essential and easy to use. We found the bath facilities
most luxurious and functional, with heated towel bars, a separate shower and
steam and a separate room with toilet and bidet coupled with bath amenities by
‘Wunderkind’.
Since many of the attractive historic sites are within
walking distance from the Adlon, you may enjoy a do-it-yourself sightseeing
tour equipped with a camera and maybe even the Black Card. There are plenty of
elegant shops, boutiques and jewelry stores that you may pass on the way. After
a day of sightseeing, a visit at the Adlon Spa seems almost essential either
for a relaxing massage or a manicure or chic Aveda hairstyle for an
elegant dinner at the Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer (CLICK HERE). The Adlon Spa was clearly designed with the five elements of Chinese medicine in mind: wood, fire, earth, metal and water, which are the basics for wellbeing and inspire ones emotional response and promote tranquility and relaxation.
Hotel
Adlon Kempinski Berlin - Pool
The Adlon Spa team offers with most gracious smiles a
multitude of facial and signature spa treatments that are practiced in the
privacy of spa suites; Yoga with Indian Yoga trainer Vijay, as well as a Watsu
pool. They have a couple of very talented hair stylists and a cutting edge
make-up artist! – The Hotel Adlon has a state-of the-art gym facility and
sauna as well as a an attractive heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and
lounge area that is family friendly and well attended. The spa and pool floor
is accessible through a private elevator, which allows the guests to enter in
their bathrobes and slippers and in privacy.
Walter
Staib & Sebastian Voelz & Thorsten Buehrmann
Every Sunday the Restaurant Quarré serves a
sumptuous feast of amazing foods with unparalleled views of the Brandenburg
Gate, from 12.30 noon to 3:30pm. The Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Adlon is
worth an event, a celebration for the palate, presented and served with expert
skills and gracious smiles and a never-ending stream of Moët &
Chandon. This most opulent display of traditional and regional gourmet cuisine,
including fresh stone oysters and lobsters and the most creative desserts will
not only entice any palate, but it is the perfect setting for a special
celebration. Reservations are strongly encouraged. The first impression when
one enters
the Restaurant Quarré (CLICK HERE) is a sweet creation of the Brandenburg gate made entirely of chocolate, with several little bears on top welcoming all guests. From here the view is instantly drawn to a sinful display of tortes, tarts, petite fours, pralines, chocolates and little cups filled with puddings and creames, all decorated with fresh berries or eatable gold. (Please
CLICK HERE to take a closer look.)
We were quickly guided to a table with a stunning view
of this ever-fascinating Brandenburg Gate. White, spotless aprons, table linens
and napkins – starched, perfectly pressed - delightful. For a quick start
we adored the fresh, crackling house-baked and hand cut breads with a soft
French salted butter, specialty cheeses and a to die for Foie gras, all so full
of natural taste that each precious morsel will not easily find comparison.
Some of our favorite hot dishes where the sliced baked rosemary duck with
divine typical German red cabbage and the baked goose chockfull with fresh farm
apples and herbs, the mouth-watering baked whole fish, wrapped in cucumber
slices resembling gills… and then some. The incomparable service under the
direction of Mr. Hagen Hoppenstedt was incredibly skilled and very
professional, but at the same time warm and personal.
Managing director Oliver
Eller took the Hotel Adlon over just a couple of years ago and has since then
brought more then just attention to Berlin’s landmark hotel. Much of the
Liam Neeson psychological thriller ‘Unknown’ was filmed at the Hotel
Adlon and kept Mr. Eller, PR Manager
Ms.
Sabina Held (CLICK HERE) and their team in action for quite a while. There
is a pride felt at the Hotel Adlon that seems to be ingrained in every single
employee that we came in contact with.
Take for instance Adlon’s bar manager Mr. Franz
Höckner, celebrated as ‘Bartender of the Year’; this man is a
find. There is no doubt that the heart of the Hotel Adlon Kempinski is the
lobby lounge & bar. This spot is the ultimate hangout for people to meet,
greet and watch. Franz Höckner runs the show and keeps the drinks and the
conversation flowing, and his team inspired. Mr Eller must get a special
mention for hiring the most talented people. Oliver Eller, of German
decent, earned a degree from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration in
Ithaca, USA and has since then worked in Egypt, New Orleans, Atlanta, Wolfsburg
and Moskau, just to name a few. Mr. Eller, a mover and shaker in the world of
affluent hospitality, received the 'Seven Stars and Stripes "Special
Recognition" Award' for raising the bar for the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin to
a Seven Star Hotel while overseeing nine other properties of the Kempinski
Hotels in Germany.
Hotel
Adlon Kempinski Berlin - 2012 - Seven Stars And Stripes - Award
The Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin received full
accolades of Seven Stars and Seven Stripes on February 23rd, 2012. We are
welcoming the Hotel Adlon Kempinski to the distinguished group of the
officially recognized 'Seven Star Hotels of the World™'. The award
ceremony was an exquisite and elegant affair, well attended by Berlin’s
High Society, members of the press, Seven Stars and Stripes advisory Board
member and TV host Walter Staib ('A Taste of History', which he filmed on
location), a Trustee of the Culinary Institute of America, Ms. Ingrid Lemme,
Host of the 'American Dream Show' (Ingrid
host the Seven Stars Travel Show™ on location (CLICK HERE).) and a
guest appearance of Europe’s star artist
Mr.
Stefan Szeczesny (CLICK HERE) whose extraordinarily colourful, abstract
paintings are exhibited at the Adlon's Restaurant Quarré.
