Experience Berlin’s storied history with Hotel Adlon Kempinski
The famed hotel which reopened in 1997 recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Share
The legendary Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, first built in 1907 and located right next to the Brandenburg Gate, regained its status as Germany’s most prestigious hotel after its re-opening in 1997. This is the meeting place for heads of state, royals, politicians, stars and starlets, intellectuals, artists, designers and entrepreneurs, and last but not least, the Berliners themselves.
A great tradition of outstanding personal service and every modern comfort lives on today. The luxury hotel has 385 rooms including 78 suites. It offers its guests three restaurants: the gourmet restaurant Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, which has been awarded two Michelin stars, Restaurant Quarré offering national and international classics and the Pan-Asian Sra Bua restaurant.
Its unique location, legendary history, opulent furnishings and décor as well as a service above and beyond impeccable make the Adlon the ideal venue for congresses, conferences and social and corporate events. Two magnificent ballrooms and 15 individually designed conference rooms and salons meet the highest expectations.
No other name evokes so vividly the sophistication of pre-war Berlin. This was where VIPs stayed, where notables from politics and culture, industry and society met and where persons of rank and title were to be found. The name Adlon never referred simply to a hotel; it always meant the Berlin institution, literally the first address in the city’s centre square by the Brandenburg Gate. It owes its name to the original owner, Lorenz Adlon.
He opened the Adlon with the support of Kaiser Wilhelm II in October 1907, and it quickly became known as the best and most famous hotel in Germany. Lorenz Adlon’s vision was to create a superlative hotel that set standards for the future of the hotel industry. Guests from all over the world were enthusiastic about the comfortable amenities of this hotel. The Adlon provided hot running water, electric power and a cooling system connected to a well.
The building of the Adlon, which had survived both World Wars unscathed until it burnt down in early May 1945, was later demolished. But the name lived on in the minds of Berliners, and not just Berliners. The “Adlon” endured, it remained a legend and appeared regularly in stories, books and memories. And when the reunified city of Berlin started anew in the early nineties, the “Adlon” was one of the first striking buildings to rise again. The hotel was officially opened by German President Roman Herzog on 23 August 1997. This monumental institution has now been returned to the city and restored to its former glory.
As soon as you take the first step into Hotel Adlon Kempinski, you enter a world of elegance, luxury and unique courtesy. This also applies to the rooms and suites of the hotel. Classically elegant in design, and furnished with precious natural woods and fabrics, they offer a size of 40 to 220 sq m and invite you to relax and linger. Special attention has also been paid to the bathrooms. They feature black granite, light marble and exquisite cherry wood panelling and have double vanity units, a separate shower and bath and a built-in multifunctional dressing table.
Since the hotel’s opening in 1907, fine dining has always been a key element in Adlon’s tradition of gracious hospitality. Even the legendary hotel’s founder, Lorenz Adlon, sang the praises of “the comforts and pleasures of indulgence”. Hotel Adlon offers an astonishing choice of unique culinary venues. Established as Berlin‘s finest gourmet restaurant, the team at the Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer welcome their guests to a sophisticated and exciting culinary experience with a splendid view of the capital‘s landmark, the Brandenburg Gate.
Award-winning chef Hendrik Otto surprises his guests with modern, cosmopolitan creations, focusing on the product and its aromatic essence. Head Sommelier Hans-Martin Konrad charmingly complements the culinary delights with a selection of unexpected rarities and discoveries from the extensive wine list. Restaurant Manager Oliver Kraft and his team provide attentive and relaxed service.
The best way to enjoy the unique flair of this truly iconic hotel is to sit in the heart of the hotel: the Lobby. You will also find the symbol of Hotel Adlon Kempinski located here: the elephant fountain. This structure is an exact replica of the original historic piece; today it is one of many elements that recall the hotel’s illustrious past.
The famous elephant fountain was a present from the Maharaja of Patiala around 1930. He enjoyed the finer things of life and was particularly well-known for his lavish lifestyle. Selected antiques and elegant furniture from Italy, magnificent Murano glass chandeliers and fine materials such as limestone, leather, brass and onyx are characteristic of the design of the lobby, which reopened after renovations in August 2016.
With its 9,000 sq ft spread over three levels, the Adlon Spa by Resense, Berlin’s greatest wellness haven, invites guests to enjoy soul nourishing treatments. As soon as they enter, guests are enveloped in the elegant atmosphere of the Adlon Spa by Resense as though it were a soft cashmere blanket. The welcoming area, with its fireplace and illuminated walls made of Alabaster, sets the tone of the spacious but cosy and relaxing spa with its elegant mix of minimalism and Manhattan style.
The Adlon Spa by Resense offers exclusive beauty treatments, massages and therapeutic programmes that combine a high level of expertise, the latest findings on skin research and natural cosmetic products. A unique combination of pure luxury to pamper the senses.
For further information, visit kempinski.com
