Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin ★★★★★

Our anniversary was coming up, and instead of exchanging the usual cards and chocolates, we booked ourselves a romantic weekend in our favourite city, Berlin. Having visited it several times, we decided it was time to treat ourselves and stay somewhere extra special. There was only one place it could possibly be… somewhere that had fascinated me ever since I laid eyes on it during my first visit. The grandiose building, sitting in a privileged position next to the Brandenburg Gate, has seen guests like the Queen of England, Michael Jackson and Albert Einstein, and our stay went above and beyond our wildest dreams.

We felt like royalty as soon as we touched down at the airport, where we were met by our chauffer who whisked us off in our private limousine to our beloved five-star establishment. We stopped at the Brandenburg Gate – not for sightseeing though - we had arrived. We admired the impressive façade, and peered up at where Michael Jackson famously dangled his baby over the balcony. The building is filled with history, and was renovated to preserve the original features which defined it in the early 20th century – from lavishly decorated ballrooms and dining halls to shopping arcades, libraries and elegant lounges. Little did we know that the striking lobby, with its grand piano and dramatic fountain, was a mere overture to the full symphony of sophistication and extravagance awaiting us…

VeryChic upgraded us to a Deluxe Room, and it was the quintessence of luxury lodging, decorated in a classic style with antique furnishings and a magnificent marble bathroom. We were treated to a world of five-star amenities including complimentary fresh fruit, an LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, a modern media system and a range of toiletries. We could have quite happily spent our first afternoon lazing in our cocoon, but we were eager to discover the myriad facilities.

Our stomachs were calling, so we started by exploring the restaurants and bars, offering a journey of endless culinary possibilities. Would we enjoy our first meal at the Sra Bua, where distinct Asian flavours and spices are combined to create modern and innovative dishes? Or perhaps we’d sample some authentic regional cuisine and local specialities at the Restaurant Quarré, where we could indulge in the classic currywurst whilst gazing at the striking Brandenburg Gate? We also had the choice of feasting on homemade cakes and pastries with the Adlon’s famous afternoon tea, but we were craving something even fancier, so we opted for the two Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, a fine dining temple serving European-inspired cuisine concocted by Hendrik Otto, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

In the mood for some more indulgence, we wandered down to the spa, an oasis of serenity spread over three floors, where you can immerse yourself in an incomparable ambience and pure harmony. We unwound in the pool, sauna and steam room before being pampered with Ayurvedic treatments in the wellness centre, leaving us feeling completely rejuvenated and more relaxed than we had felt in a long time.

The rest of our stay was dedicated to enjoying the rest of the hotel’s unrivalled facilities… from the extensive concierge service and the arcade filled with boutique shops, to the sophisticated bars for late-night cocktails and the glamorous nightclub, adding a bit of 21st-century spice to the timeless grandeur of the Hotel Adlon.

There is one disadvantage though… it is so easy to spend the whole trip revelling in the comforts of the hotel that you might forget to go and explore Berlin, but luckily all the best sights are just a short walk away. Throughout the world, the name Adlon has become synonymous with graceful elegance and regal hospitality, and each guest is provided with unmatched levels of comfort and service… a truly unforgettable experience.