berlin - Elite Traveler

Transcription

D e s t i n at i o n G u i d e S e r i e s
B ER L IN
elite guide to Berlin
HigHligHts of Berlin
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only elite
Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experiences
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ConCierge reCommendations
We asked Berlin’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations
for the perfect day in the city
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sony Center, Potsdamer Platz
WHere to
➤ stay
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➤ dine
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➤ Be PamPered
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Berlin skyline
WHat to do
➤ during tHe day
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➤ during tHe nigHt
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➤ featured events
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➤ sHoPPing
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➤ Private jet terminals
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➤ useful information
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➤ exClusive transPort
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loCal art: ‘limit’, anton Burdakov
need to knoW
‘versus’ at tHe CHameleon tHeater
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destination guide series
elite destination guide | Berlin
www.elitetraveler.com
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highlights of Berlin
Don’t miss out on Berlin’s wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences
‘W
ith an eye toward the future,
with resolve in our hearts, let us
remember history, and answer our destiny,
and remake the world once again.’
Those were the words of Barack Obama
as he addressed Berlin in 2008, and they
go some way to capturing the spirit of the
place. Sat on one of history’s fault lines,
the German capital has become adept at
‘remaking’ itself, and today you’ll find the
city in better shape than ever.
Brand new shops, bars, hotels and
restaurants have transformed Berlin from
battle ground to consumer haven, while
the noblest relics of the past have been
restored to their former glory.
A building site for much of the nineties,
HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI
DFB FOOTBALL CUP FINAL
MAY 12, 2012
VIP contact: Deutscher Fussball-Bund
Phone: +49 (0) 69 67 88 0
Email: [email protected]
Address: Olympic Stadium, Olympischer Platz 3
Website: www.dfb.de
Perch in a chic VIP box for the final showdown of Germany’s top teams.
Each year, 80,000 football fans fill Berlin’s Olympic Stadium for one of the
biggest matches in the European game. The winner will qualify for the
UEFA Europa League and for a nation of football enthusiasts, that’s a big
deal. The setting alone is phenomenal—constructed for the 1936 Olympics,
the famous stadium was revamped for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and tourists
swarm to the hallowed turf even when the pitch is empty.
KAUFHAUS DES WESTENS
VIP contact: Ursula Vierkötter
Phone: +49 (0) 30 21 21 0
Address: Tauentzienstrasse 21-24
Website: www.kadewe.de
The largest department store in mainland Europe, it takes a seasoned
shopper to take on Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West).
Its eight floors brim with exclusive goods, and you could spend a lifetime
plumbing its every nook and cranny. Known affectionately as ‘KaDeWe’
(pronounced kah-day-vay), the store opened in 1907 but was destroyed in
World War II when a US fighter plane crashed through the atrium. To boost
Berliners’ morale, reconstruction began almost immediately, and the 1950
reopening was a major coup for the crippled city. Today you’ll find a temple of
consumption like no other, and a foray through its halls is a rare treat indeed.
Passionate and iconoclastic, Berlin is like
the teenage sibling of Munich or Frankfurt,
and will reward those who love a surprise.
BErLIN OLyMPIC STADIUM
VIP contact: Oliver Eller, General Manager
Phone: +49 (0) 30 22 61 12 00
Address: Unter den Linden 77
Website: www.kempinski.com
During its hundred year history, the Adlon has weathered some pretty major
storms and has always emerged with its dignity intact. Kaiser Wilhelm II was
the hotel’s first guest, and since then a pantheon of well-known heads has
rested on its pillows. Queen Elizabeth II, Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin are
just some of the names in the guest book, and it was from an Adlon balcony that
Michael Jackson famously displayed his baby to the world. The hotel’s phoenixlike revival in the last decade has garnered all kinds of praise, and it remains
the grande dame of Berlin refinement.
Berlin has now bloomed into a modern
metropolis, and this new lease of life
is infectious. The streets are alive with
young, creative types lured here by the
freewheeling spirit, and for art and music
there are few better cities to visit right now.
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Only elite
Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experiences
FLOATPLANE ‘DUCk 01’
FLOATPLANE LUNCH FLIGHT
VIP contact: Commander Frank Hellberg
Phone: +49 (0) 30 53 21 53 21
Website: www.air-service-berlin.de
Taking off and landing on water, a floatplane is one of the most thrilling
and graceful ways to fly. Starting on the Spree River near the city center,
Air Service Berlin will welcome you with a flute of Gosset champagne by
the riverside. Once snugly onboard the floatplane, you’ll take off from the
river and soar high above the urban hubbub, over the old town of Köpenick
and the fields and forests beyond, and land on the lake by Huberthushöhe
Castle. More champagne will greet you, followed by a three course lunch at
the enchanting lakeside restaurant. After a leisurely meal, you’ll take to the
skies again and return to Berlin with the calming hum of the plane.
DRAG RACING NITROLYMPX
ANNUALLY IN AUGUST
VIP contact: Jutta Halter, Hockenheimring Hospitality Manager
Phone: +49 (0) 62 05 95 00 (general) / +49 (0) 62 05 95 01 95 (hospitality)
Address: Hockenheimring Motodrom, 68766 Hockenheim
Website: www.hockenheimring.net / www.nitrolympx.com
In the south of Germany near the city of Mannheim, the Hockenheimring
racetrack hosts the very best of German motorsport. Each year, 50,000
motor fans descend on the Hockenheimring for the Drag Racing Nitrolympx,
a breathtaking display of four-wheeled power. Reaching speeds of up to
300mph, ‘dragsters’ race two at a time from a standing start, in a straight
line, for a quarter of a mile. The fastest accelerating vehicles on earth, these
cars can achieve 0 – 60 mph in less than a second and need parachutes to
stop them after the finish line. Celebrities and business leaders bustle for a
spot in the South Grandstand, where the VIP suites offer service fit for a king.
If you visit on the Saturday you’ll see the notorious Night Show,
a frenzy of motor stunts and pyrotechnics. For a very good hotel in
Mannheim, Elite Traveler recommends the Steigenberger Mannheimer
(www.mannheim.steigenberger.de).
DRAG RACING NITROLYMPICS
HOPPEGARTEN RACECOURSE
VIP contact: Harriet Roske, Bunker International Group
Phone: +44 (0) 20 73 68 42 82
Website: www.hoppegarten.com / www.bunkerinternational.com
The largest and most illustrious racecourse in Germany, the Hoppegarten
has long been a haunt for Berlin’s elite. When he wasn’t unifying Germany,
the Iron Chancellor Bismarck could be found trackside, having a flutter and
quaffing the bubbly. Today, the great and the good mingle in the new Club
Stand, while chefs from gourmet restaurant Aigner work their magic behind
closed doors. Contact Harriet Roske and watch the drama unfold from a VIP
table or a sofa in the private bar. After the race, wander past the old red brick
pavilion and see the silverware presented under the shade of ancient oaks. Of
the ten race days throughout the year, the most extravagant are Ladies’ Day
in June and the Grosser Preis von Berlin in July.
RACING AT THE HOPPEGARTEN RACECOURSE
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CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS
We asked Berlin’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day in the city
Doina Kocherhans
anne raBer
heaD concierGe, hotel De roMe
Phone: +49 (0) 30 46 06 09 0
Website: www.hotelderome.com
After a sumptuous breakfast at the Hotel de Rome, rent bikes and
visit the organic market at Kollwitzplatz. Walk along the fashionable
Kastanienallee to Hackescher Markt and drop in on some art galleries
and trendy boutiques. Head past Museum Island and Berlin Cathedral
and back to the Gendarmenmarkt for lunch at Borchardt, before jumping
on your bikes to ride along Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate,
the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, and Potsdamer Platz. Spot
leftovers of the Berlin Wall near Checkpoint Charlie, and check out the
stylish shops along Friedrichstrasse, by which time you’ll be more than
ready for a spa treatment back at Hotel de Rome. Once refreshed, head
to Kreuzberg for a Korean meal at Kimchi Princess, followed by drinks at
Luzia, Würgeengel, or any of the nightspots on Mariannenstrasse. For the
real night owls, clubbing at Watergate is a must.
Best restaurants
Parioli
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Address: Behrenstrasse 37
Doina Kocherhans
Grill Royal
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Address: Friedrichstrasse 105B
Guest experience ManaGer, hotel lux 11
Phone: +49 (0) 30 93 62 80 0
Website: www.lux-eleven.com
A trip to the top of the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) is a must for breathtaking
views of Berlin. Lux 11 is just minutes away from shops, museums,
galleries, restaurants and nightclubs, so guests are spoilt for choice. For
clubbing, Weekend is always busy and its rooftop terrace is a city hotspot.
Cantina Tausend
Cuisine: Asian and Ibero-American
Address: Schiffbauerdamm 11
Best shoppinG
The Corner
For: Exclusive fashion for men and women.
Address: Französische Strasse 40
Best restaurants
Schönbrunn
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Address: Am Friedrichshain 8
Best to Do
Take a day trip to the beautiful town of Potsdam.
Grill Royal
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Address: Friedrichstrasse 105B
Chill out at the Badeschiff (outdoor pool)
Address: Eichenstrasse 4.
White Trash
Cuisine: German, Tex-Mex and American diner classics
Address: Schönhauser Allee 6/7
anne raBer
Best shoppinG
Adidas Originals Store
For: Urban footwear and fashion.
Address: Münzstrasse 13
Best to Do
Open Air Karaoke at Mauerpark
Address: Falkplatz 1
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thoMas MunKo
thoMas MunKo
heaD concierGe, ritz-carlton hotel
Phone: +49 (0) 30 33 77 76 00 2
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Take a gallery tour with an expert guide from GoArt! Berlin
(www.goart-berlin.de), explore the local fashion scene in the Mitte
district, tucked away in turn-of-the-century courtyards, and visit the
Boros Collection of contemporary art on Reinhardtstasse. In 2008,
Christian Boros and his wife Karen Lohmann made their collection
of contemporary art available to the public in a converted concrete
bunker in Mitte, where both the works and the bunker space are part
of a combined art concept. Exhibits include sculptures, installations
and performance art. For families with children, don’t miss the
Kids’ Afternoon Tea at the Ritz-Carlton.
Best restaurants
Margaux
Cuisine: French
Reinstoff
Cuisine: Classic haute cuisine
Address: Schlegelstrasse 26c
Best shoppinG
Cabinet at Quartier 206
For: Avant-garde urban wear for men and women.
Address: Friedrichstrasse 71
Mario Weihrich
concierGe, hotel intercontinental
Phone: +49 (0) 30 26 02 0
Website: www.berlin.intercontinental.com
Best restaurants
Hugos
Cuisine: French Mediterranean
Address: Budapester Strasse 2
Vau
Cuisine: German
Address: Jägerstrasse 54
Reinstoff
Best shoppinG
Bread & Butter Trade Fair
Date: 6 – 8 JULY, 2011
For: Cutting edge urban wear.
Address: Berlin Tempelhof Airport
The Corner
Kids Corner
For: Exclusive fashion for children and babies.
Address: Wilmersdorfer Strasse 98
Mientus
For: Extensive selection of luxury fashion
brands.
Best to Do
Take an historic tour of Berlin’s subway
system in a U-Bahn Underground Cabrio Tour,
or call Daniel Hurst and his team of huskies
for year-round sled tours of the Tiergarten.
Keen historians can discover the murky
secrets beneath Berlin’s streets on a Berlin
Underworld Tour or take a Trabi Safari city
tour in a convertible version of the iconic East
German car.
Daniel Hurst: +49 (0) 17 19 42 06 59.
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Mario Weihrich
Best sKY Bars
Solar
Address: Stresemannstrasse 76
Puro
Address: Tauentzienstrasse 11
seBastian schönfisch
concierGe, GranD hYatt hotel
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 53 12 34
Website: www.berlin.grand.hyatt.com
Enjoy a top-class breakfast at Chipps on
Jäger Strasse, followed by a guided tour
of the Reichstag. After lunch at Käfer
Dachgarten, and coffee and cake at Café
Einstein spend the afternoon exploring the
shops of the Mitte district, in particular along
Rosenthaler Strasse and Neue Schönhauser
Strasse.
Best restaurants
Facil
Cuisine: Traditional International
Address: Potsdamer Strasse 3
Reinstoff
GranD hYatt hotel
Weinbar Rutz
Cuisine: German
Address: Chausseestrasse 8
Best shoppinG
The Corner
Best to Do
Visit Museum Island and the Jewish Museum,
stroll on Unter den Linden and around
Hackescher Markt, and take a day trip to
Potsdam.
nicolai laaser
JohnnY pireDDa
concierGe, hotel sofitel
chief concierGe, GranD hotel esplanaDe
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 37 50
Website: www.sofitel.com
Start the day with a private tour of one of Berlin’s many great
museums; the Egyptian bust of Nefertiti at the Neues Museum
is a personal favorite. Have lunch at Café Quchnia on the
Gendarmenmarkt, before exploring the surrounding area.
Dine at Weinbar Rutz and round your night off with a drink at
the Newton Bar.
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 47 80
Website: www.esplanade.de
After breakfast at the Grand Hotel Esplanade, take a private
sightseeing tour of the Reichstag and Museum Island. Hit the shops at
the Hackesche Höfe courtyards and have a late lunch, before heading
back to the Esplanade for a massage at the Afino Spa and dinner at
Sankt Moritz, Il Sorriso or Filou. End your evening with live music at
Harry’s New York Bar at the Esplanade.
Best restaurants
Weinbar Rutz
Cuisine: German
Address: Chausseestrasse 8
Best restaurants
Sankt Moritz
Address: Regensburger Strasse 7
Vau
Cuisine: German
Il Sorriso
Cuisine: Italian
Address: Kurfürstenstrasse 76
Brechts
Cuisine: Traditional Austrian and Modern International
Address: Schiffbauerdamm 6-7
Filou
Cuisine: Italian
Address: Bleibtreustrasse 7
Best shoppinG
Galeries Lafayette
For: Exclusive French fashion, perfumes and accessories, as well as
new collections from young Berlin designers.
Address: Friedrichstrasse 76-78
Best shoppinG
KaDeWe
For: Almost everything under the sun. High-end fashion, jewelry, perfumes,
technology, books and toys. The huge gourmet floor is an epicure’s dream.
Best to Do
Attend a concert by the Berlin Philharmonic, or spend a night at
the opera.
Best to Do
Museum Island
Address: Bodestrasse
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Where to Stay
Whether a sumptuous bed, a spectacular view or service beyond compare – choose from our stunning selection of hotels
LIbRARY, HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI
bATHROOM, ROYAL SUITE
FELIX CLUb RESTAURANT AT THE HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI
TOP SUITE
VIP contact: Oliver Eller, General Manager
Phone: +49 (0) 30 22 61 10 02
Website: www.kempinski.com
Queen Elizabeth II stayed at the Adlon on her last trip to Berlin, and her name
joins an impressive list of guests to tread the carpets here. Overlooking the
Brandenburg Gate and Berlin’s diplomatic quarter, the Adlon boasts a unique
location in the heart of the city, and remains the last word in regal grandeur.
Not one for the shy and retiring, the Adlon has 302 rooms, 80 suites, 15
conference rooms, two ballrooms and a large spa. Among its four restaurants
is the Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon, while the hotel’s very own Felix is one
of the glitziest nightclubs in town. First opened in 1907 under the auspices of
Kaiser Wilhelm II, the hotel soon acquired legendary status on the world stage.
Destroyed by fire in 1945, the Adlon was rebuilt in the nineties and has since
reclaimed its place as a Berlin icon.
ROYAL SUITE
Square footage: 2,580
Nightly rate: $16,750 (with expansion to 4,520 ft² for $26,820)
Why we love it: With such an esteemed guest list, comfort and security
are par for the course at the Adlon. The Royal Suite is suitably majestic,
with a fireplace, plush furnishings, marble features and antiques
aplenty. The suite includes a living room, conference room, bedroom
with separate dressing room, a lady’s lounge, and a bathroom with
Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna and fitness area. Guests can enjoy a flatscreen
Protocol Internet television with 100 channels and DVD player, and an
ISDN telephone connection with a cordless phone for in-house use.
The Royal Suite offers a 24hour butler service, an exclusive limousine
service and a private safe room. Fresh fruit and mineral water are
replenished daily and views from the suite include Potsdamer Platz, the
lively hub of modern Berlin. This is the accommodation of choice for
royalty, rock stars and political leaders.
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Where to Stay
FISCHERS FRITz AT THE REGENT
THE REGENT bAR
THE REGENT EvENT ROOM
AFTERNOON TEA AT THE REGENT
THE REGENT
TOP SUITE
VIP contact: Janina Schwander, Reservations Supervisor
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 33 8
Address: Charlottenstrasse 49
Website: www.regenthotels.com/berlin
With views onto the stunning Gendarmenmarkt and some of the biggest tourist
attractions and shopping streets on your doorstep, you cannot fault The Regent
for location. Renowned for its efficient, discreet service, The Regent attracts a
host of celebrities and high profile business guests. The design is opulent yet
tasteful with antiques, chandeliers and extravagant textiles, and the colonial style
of the rooms offers unobtrusive luxury. The meeting and conference facilities
are unparalleled, while many will come to The Regent for the restaurant alone –
Fischers Fritz is the only Berlin establishment with two Michelin stars.
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Square footage: 1,400 
Nightly rate: $3,880
Why we love it: Available with two or three bedrooms, the eighth
floor Presidential Suite features Biedermeier furniture, woven fabric
wallpaper and a marble fireplace. The suite includes a kitchenette
with separate service entrance, equipped with a microwave, espresso
machine, fridge and cooking facilities. The marble bathroom has two
vanities with two basins, a deep soaking bathtub, separate walk-in
shower and a lavatory in a separate room. Presidential Suite guests
can benefit from 24 hour room service, a shoe shine service and twice
daily housekeeping. The balcony looks on to the magnificent French
Cathedral and Concert Hall on the Gendarmenmarkt, and offers
panoramic views of the city beyond.
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Where to Stay
HOTEL DE ROME LObbY
bEbEL SUITE
HOTEL DE ROME bALLROOM
HOTEL DE ROME
TOP SUITE
VIP contact: Thies Sponholz, General Manager
Phone: +49 (0) 30 46 06 09 0
Housed in a former bank, Hotel de Rome is one of the few Berlin hotels to
occupy a pre-war building. Built in 1889, this neoclassical gem has been
lovingly restored by Rocco Forte, and certainly makes its presence known on
the expansive Bebelplatz. There are elegant nods to its banking past—
a spa in the old bank vault, a swimming pool laced with gold—yet as with
so much in Berlin, the hotel’s interior is very much à la mode. Just off
Unter Den Linden in the fashionable Mitte district, Hotel de Rome enjoys a
winning location and has become a favorite destination for the elite traveler.
bEbEL SUITE
Square footage: 1,290 Nightly rate: $5,450
Why we love it: A long balcony extends the full width of the suite and
affords charming views onto Bebelplatz. The bedroom has parquet flooring
and a large separate dressing room with a marble bath, with the option
to add a second bedroom via a connecting door. The spacious living room
is furnished in a refined, contemporary style, and opens on to a separate
dining room with an attached kitchen. Leading off the vestibule are a guest
lavatory on one side and a walk-in cupboard on the other. The design is a
collaboration between Tommaso Ziffer and Olga Polizzi, who also designed
the interior of the prestigious Hotel de Russie in Rome. There are some
clever reinterpretations of original architectural features, for example the
suite doors have been made to mimic bank vault doors.
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Where to Stay
SCHLOSSHOTEL IM GRUNEWALD
RESTAURANT vIvALDI AT THE SCHLOSSHOTEL IM GRUNEWALD
KAISER SUITE
SCHLOSSHOTEL IM GRUNEWALD
TOP SUITE
VIP contact: Tania Saez de Guinoa, General Manager
Phone: +49 (0) 30 89 58 40
Address: Brahmsstrasse 10, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Website: www.schlosshotelberlin.com
In a secluded spot on the fringe of the Grunewald forest, the Schlosshotel
is an exquisite retreat deep in West Berlin. The 14th century villa was once
home to the Kaiser’s lawyer, and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, designer
Karl Lagerfeld created what we see today. Better known for his haute couture,
Lagerfeld has designed the Schlosshotel with that oh-so-Berlin blend of old
and new, and the result is something light, fresh and utterly immaculate.
Summer dining on the quiet lawn is a delight none of the inner city hotels can
beat. Little wonder Sean Connery and Leonardo DiCaprio keep coming back.
KAISER SUITE
Why we love it: A perfect combination of tradition and novelty,
the Kaiser Suite melds original 1940s frescoes with Lagerfeld’s
tasteful modern flourishes. The suite includes two bedrooms,
a living room, an antique library, a dining room and two marble
bathrooms and is well connected with phone, Apple iMac with free
Wi-Fi, HD TV with DSL, UMTS and DVD player. The minibar and use
of the spa is included in the room rate and the terrace looks over the
hotel’s extensive private garden. The suite is particularly popular with
celebrities as an escape from baying fans, and to maintain this privacy
the Schlosshotel strives to limit the total number of rooms in the
hotel to the current 53.
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Where to Stay
LUX 11 PENTHOUSE
LUX 11
LUX 11
VIP contact: Dirk Dreyer, General Manager
Phone: +49 (0) 30 93 62 80 0
Address: Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 9 - 13
Website: www.lux-eleven.com
Nestled among trendy bars, boutiques and galleries, Lux 11 is Berlin’s
most fashionable design hotel, and that’s a title for which there is much
competition. With so many new hotels popping up, designers must do
something pretty special to impress discerning guests, and husband
and wife team Claudio Silvestrin and Giuliana Salmaso have certainly
done that. Champions of minimalism, they have created suave, sensual
spaces—largely white with splashes of bright pink—and the result has
proved a big hit with the hip media crowd. The 72 apartments each have a
kitchenette, DVD player, fax machine and iPod docking station, and many
have a courtyard-facing balcony.
TOP SUITE
PENTHOUSE
Why we love it: A two-bedroom suite with a large open plan kitchen,
fireplace and living room furnished by celebrated designer
Kati Meyer-Brühl. The suite also features a rooftop terrace facing
the iconic TV Tower, with excellent views onto Alexanderplatz.
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Where to Stay
HENRY MILLER SUITE
THE SAvOY
TIMES bAR AT THE SAvOY
VIP contact: Hans Eilers, General Manager
Phone: +49 (0) 30 31 10 30
Address: Fasanenstrasse 9-10
Website: www.hotel-savoy.com
Berlin’s seminal grand hotel, the Savoy has a rich history that few of its
rivals can match. Greta Garbo, Henry Miller and Thomas Mann have all
swept through her corridors, and the lavish 1940s style evokes a glamorous
bygone era. Shoppers will love the nearby Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s most
famous shopping promenade, and many of the major sights are within
easy reach. The wood-panelled, leather-clad bar is a gentleman’s dream,
not least for its humidor—one of only 90 worldwide licensed to sell Cuban
Havana Cigars. The Savoy has long been synonymous with charm and
comfort, and the hotel remains a show business favorite to this day.
TOP SUITE
HENRY MILLER SUITE
Square footage: 485  Nightly rate: $300
Why we love it: Suites are the Savoy’s forte, and the original marble
columns and gold fittings make an instant impression. The Henry Miller
Suite – named after its former occupant – offers a spacious bedroom with
a living room, cozy sitting area, flat-screen TV, hi-fi system, telephones,
a trouser press, a walk-in closet and a large safe. The marble bathrooms
are equipped with a separate lavatory, separate shower and bath tub with
Jacuzzi. All rooms provide highspeed DSL and Wireless LAN internet access.
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Where to Stay
TOP OF THE TOWN SUITE
THE MANDALA
TOP SUITE
VIP contact: Lutz Hesse and Christian Andresen
Phone: +49 (0) 30 59 00 50 00 0
Website: www.themandala.de
A sleek, modern affair, the Mandala offers a tranquility that belies its central
position. The design is refreshing and contemporary, and attracts the sort of
creative crowd for which Berlin is now renowned. However, in its pursuit of
style the Mandala never sacrifices comfort, and you’ll find it easy to extend
your stay here. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Facil, has won great acclaim
in food circles, and its retractable glass roof makes for a pleasant summer
supper. The first floor Qiu bar is a popular nightspot in its own right, and
should you venture beyond the hotel doors, you’ll soon find the smart new
restaurants, cinemas and casinos of Potsdamer Platz.
TOP OF THE TOWN
Why we love it: The eleventh floor penthouse offers a clean, white
respite from the city buzz below, with exceptional views of the Tiergarten
(Berlin’s largest park) and much else besides. Opening a window will
let in a breeze without the hurly burly of Potsdamer Platz and floor to
ceiling windows on three sides let floods of light in, setting off the milky
décor beautifully. The suite has its own bar, an open plan living room with
dining and meeting area, a workspace with Mac, high speed DSL and
WLAN access, and a separate bedroom with bathtub and whirlpool. The
Mandala’s mission is to create comfortable living spaces for guests who
will call Berlin home for a while, and the Top of the Town Suite achieves
this perfectly. This is an ideal inner city suite for relaxing days and a
peaceful night’s rest.
GRAND HOTEL ESPLANADE bERLIN
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 47 80
Fax: +49 (0) 30 25 47 82 22
Address: Lützowufer 15, 10785 Berlin
Website: www.esplanadeberlin.com
The Grand Hotel Esplanade Berlin is a lifestyle hotel that combines the
typical attributes of a metropolitan city with warm and attentive service.
The hotel is lively, cosmopolitan, and very much individual - in short: a
modern-day grand hotel that reflects the culture of the city of Berlin and
puts the well-being of its guests first. Because of the hotel’s excellent location
between Potsdamer Platz and Kurfürstendamm, the Grand Hotel Esplanade
is the perfect starting point for trips to all the capital’s hotspots. The 354
rooms and 40 suites guarantee an unforgettable visit in an unrivalled feelgood ambiance. Bright, natural colors, soft fabrics and generous panoramic
windows give the rooms an inviting and airy feel. The hotel’s absolute
highlight is the legendary Harry’s New York Bar where the bar team presents
a selection of over 200 cocktails and live music with the best entertainers in
the industry. Stimulate your senses at the afino Spa that offers wellness at its
very best with a pool, a state-of-the-art fitness room, three specialist saunas
and a beauty spa.
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Where to Dine
F
or a nation not famed for its cuisine,
Germany can now lay claim to some
of the best dining in Europe. In the last
twenty years, Michelin inspectors have
beaten a path to Berlin and dealt stars left,
right and center. Head to the Mitte district
HUGOS
LUTTER & WEGNER
toP ChoiCe
trADitionAL
HUGOS
Maitre d’: Olaf Rode
Phone: +49 (0) 30 26 02 12 63
Website: www.hugos-restaurant.de
Style / Ambiance: Michelin-starred chef Thomas Kammeier has put Hugos
firmly on the map among Berlin’s gourmet restaurants. Kammeier’s creations
have been impressing diners since he took over the kitchen in the late nineties,
with his seafood creations winning particular acclaim. The wine list will please
even the most demanding buffs, and the views of the city are astounding.
Located on the 14th floor of the Hotel InterContinental, Berlin vistas don’t come
much better than this.
T
for award-winning German, French or
Asian fare or stray further afield for some
of the best Turkish food outside Ankara.
R
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LUTTER & WEGNER
Manager: Kathrin Loitzsch
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 29 54 0
Address: Charlottenstrasse 56
Website: www.restaurantlutterundwegner.de
Cuisine: Bavarian
Style / Ambiance: A gastronomic institution, Lutter & Wegner has been serving
traditional Bavarian fare on the Gendarmenmarkt since 1811, and you will not
find a better schnitzel in Berlin. With a wealth of foreign foods in the city, Lutter &
Wegner harks back to more Teutonic tastes and the princely wood-clad building
throngs with locals and tourists alike. Highlights include the Wiener schnitzel and
the sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), and as one of Berlin’s most revered wine
merchants, Lutter & Wegner will find you the perfect tipple for your dish.
R
DestinAtion guiDe series
15
Where to Dine
hAute Cuisine
FIRST FLOOR
Maitre d’: Martin Riese
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 02 10 20
Website: www.firstfloor.palace.de
Cuisine: French
Style / Ambiance: Climb one flight of stairs at the imposing Hotel Palace Berlin, and you’ll find First Floor,
a place of inspirational nouvelle cuisine. First Floor consistently wins over the Michelin inspectors, who
have awarded chef Matthias Diether a star every year since 1997. The spacious dining room seats 40
guests, and the same number of bottles can be found on the ‘water menu’. Indeed, mineral waters from
18 different countries await the more sensitive palates, from 12,000-year-old Canadian glacier water to
Tasmanian rain water. For more traditional libation, First Floor keeps a heavenly wine cellar, and head
sommelier Gunnar Tietz recently won Gault Millau’s Sommelier of the Year 2011.
KING CRAb & mANGO AT FIRST FLOOR
stYLish
GRILL ROYAL
GRILL ROYAL
Restaurant Manager: Jessica Paul
Phone: +49 (0) 30 28 87 92 88
Address: Friedrichstrasse 105b
Website: www.grillroyal.com
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Style / Ambiance: This gourmet steakhouse has caused quite a stir
since it opened four years ago. Penélope Cruz, Damien Hirst and
Marilyn Manson are just some of the glitterati to join local devotees.
The retro chic décor brings James Bond to mind, with Ikora lamps
from the sixties, smoked mirror partitions and even a whole speedboat,
just for show. The meat and fish hangs in massive glass door fridges,
allowing you to pick the piece which takes your fancy, while the open
kitchen means there are no cook’s secrets here. Chef Michael Jäger
is a connoisseur of quality meat and his dishes will impress even
the most devout carnivores. The surf ’n’ turf is a particular favorite.
In the summer, the river-facing window opens so diners can enjoy a
cool breeze drifting in from the Spree.
MoDern
FACIL
FACIL
Manager: Edwin Manuel Finster
Phone: +49 (0) 30 59 00 51 23 4
Website: www.facil.de
Cuisine: Traditional International
Style / Ambiance: After years in limbo between East and West Berlin,
Potsdamer Platz has now reclaimed its place as a commercial hub, and Facil
has played a starring role. In the quiet atrium of the modern Mandala Hotel,
Facil has become a popular choice for the Mitte fashion set, lured by the stylish
design and dazzling food. With a retractable glass roof and a terrace adorned
with bamboo and maple, this is one of the most serene dining spots in the
otherwise vibrant district. Michelin-starred chef Michael Kempf regularly
revises the menu with ever more ambitious dishes.
16
Where to Dine
toP ChoiCe
VAU
VAU
Maitre d’: Manuel Finster
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 29 73 0
Website: www.vau-berlin.de
Cuisine: German
Style / Ambiance: A master of German game and fish dishes, Michelin-starred chef Kolja Kleeberg makes
his mark in Vau with bold variations on traditional recipes. He believes that a dish should contain no more
than three products, and that guests should enjoy his food as if eating at a friend’s house. The result is a
warm, bistro atmosphere that offers an antidote to the more formal Michelin restaurants. The distressed
oak floors and Venetian plaster walls are charming, and with a prime spot on the Gendarmenmarkt, it’s
no surprise that Vau has a large fan club. Dishes include brawn and rillette of rabbit with chicory, walnut
and orange cream, and fried veal tongue with watercress, beetroot and horseradish.
hAute Cuisine
mARGAUX
Head Chef: Michael Hoffmann
Phone: +49 (0) 30 22 65 26 11
Website: www.margaux-berlin.de
Cuisine: French
Style / Ambiance: Margaux is in good hands with Michelin-starred
Michael Hoffmann running the show. He creates haute cuisine at its
finest, coupling classic techniques with his own flair for new flavors.
A connoisseur of herbs, Hoffmann’s concoctions have won him worldwide
repute, particularly among vegetable lovers. Many of the ingredients
come from the chef’s own vast garden outside Berlin, which produces
a myriad of rare species. The wine list is exceptional, and German
vineyards are well represented.
mARGAUX
toP ChoiCe
VEAL, CELERY, YUzU & VANILLA AT REINSTOFF
REINSTOFF
Manager: Sabine Demel
Phone: +49 (0) 30 30 88 12 14
Address: Edison Höfe, Schlegelstrasse 26
Website: www.reinstoff.eu
Cuisine: Avant-garde haute cuisine
Style / Ambiance: When Reinstoff opened in 2009 it quickly became the most
talked about restaurant in town. Chef Daniel Achilles won a Michelin star just six
months after opening and Gault Millau’s ‘Newcomer of the Year’ in 2010. Reinstoff
remains one of the most innovative places to eat in the capital with its industrial
black interior and unique mix of haute cuisine and molecular gastronomy.
The menu labels dishes as ‘quite near’ or ‘far away’ according to where the
ingredients were sourced, with ‘quite near’ dishes containing familiar flavors and
‘far away’ more exotic ones. For some outstanding combinations try the goose
liver, mache gazpacho, hazelnut and vinaigrette, or the Fürstenberg shoat with
braised cabbage and chickpeas. Each course is paired with the perfect wine and
with such a piquant range of dishes you can happily spend a whole evening here.
17
Where to be pampered
Be transported to another world of relaxation and beauty with our top therapists and spas
SpA de Rome
VIP contact: Christoph Klinkhammer
Phone: +49 (0) 30 46 06 09 11 60
Address: Hotel de Rome, Behrenstrasse 37
Treatments and facilities: Housed in a peaceful sanctum beneath a former
bank, there are few spas more characterful. What was once a gargantuan
jewel vault now encloses a 65-foot swimming pool, six treatment rooms
and a state-of-the-art gym, punctuated by marble columns and lined with
golden Bizazza mosaic. The Spa de Rome therapists pride themselves on
their holistic approach, and the harmony of the mind, body and spirit is
their guiding philosophy. In the summer, spa guests can adjourn to the
fifth floor terrace where soft sun beds await.
Signature treatments: A highlight is the ‘Tropical Hawaiian Essence’, a
nourishing whole-body treatment based on a Hawaiian ritual using organic
Ala Lani products from Hawaii including peeling, wrapping and Lomi-style
massage. The team also specializes in traditional Ayurvedic treatments,
which can be booked with two masseurs for special four-hand attention.
Alongside these, the Spa de Rome offers classic massages and beauty
treatments with cosmetic facial treatments, manicures and pedicures.
Adlon dAy SpA
SpA de Rome
Adlon dAy SpA
Top Therapist: Katja Wentlandt
Phone: +49 (0) 30 30 11 17 20 0
Website: www.adlon-day-spa.de
Treatments and facilities: The Hotel Adlon never does things by halves, and
their legendary Day Spa is no exception. Covering almost 10,000 square feet,
the spa offers a wide range of treatments, massages and beauty programs
based on both traditional methods and advanced cosmetic research. The
spa features an Aveda hairdressing salon, three spa suites, 13 treatment
rooms and a yoga studio, allowing visitors to relax and rejuvenate in the
most capable hands. The attention to detail is impeccable. On arrival, guests
are greeted with a cup of tea, a soft pair of slippers and the warmth of a
fireplace, and the service is faultless from start to finish.
Signature treatments: Alongside signature treatments from Comfort Zone
and Dermalogica, the spa also offers body scrubs and massages from
across the world—classical Swedish, Royal Thai and Balinese or Lomi Lomi
temple massages to name a few. If you’re short on time you can choose the
‘on the run’ treatment with two therapists working at once to complete a
session in under an hour.
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What to do ➤ during the day
S
ince the Iron Curtain fell in 1989,
no city in Europe has come alive
like Berlin. When the Berlin Wall was
demolished, the capital was united
for the first time in decades and its
people were determined to start afresh.
Handsome new buildings sprung from
the rubble, dour grey concrete got a
lick of paint, and lush green parks
flourished once again. Despite this
thirst for innovation, Berliners still take
pride in their pre-war history, and the
city is studded with some breathtaking
memories of Prussia. Here are some of
the highlights.
City StroLL
BRANDENBURG GATE, UNTER DEN LINDEN
UNTER DEN LINDEN
Address: Mitte district
Marlene Dietrich once sang, ‘As long as the old linden trees still bloom,
Berlin is still Berlin’, and to this day this grand tree-lined boulevard
remains the city’s backbone. No trip to the capital would be complete
without a stroll from Schlossplatz at the east end to the Tiergarten
at the west, passing some of Berlin’s most significant landmarks en
route. Heavily bombed during World War II, the avenue has since had
a major facelift, and what we see today has the impact intended by the
city’s Prussian forbears. Top sights include the Deutsches Historisches
Museum and the Staatsoper (State Opera House), although the
Brandenburg Gate is by far the headline act.
CuLturaL
MUSEUM ISLAND
Phone: +49 (0) 30 26 64 24 24 2
Address: Bodestrasse
Website: www.smb.spk-berlin.de
In 1999, UNESCO named Museum Island a World Heritage Site, and as
a cluster of Berlin’s five most important museums, this is the perfect
destination for a day of culture. Standing triumphantly on the Spree River,
the island complex includes the Pergamonmuseum, Bode-Museum,
Neues Museum, Altes Museum and the Alte Nationalgalerie. They
contain an enthralling collection of art and relics from ancient Greek to
early modernist, with the 170-159 BC Pergamon Altar perhaps the most
noteworthy of the permanent exhibits. The nearby Schlossbrücke (Castle
Bridge) and Berlin Cathedral are also important Berlin sites, and on a
sunny day, the grassy Lustgarten is a perfect spot to rest tired feet and
picnic.
MUSEUM ISLAND
CuLturaL
GENDARMENMARKT
Address: Between Charlottenstrasse & Markgrafenstrasse
Hailed by many as Germany’s most beautiful square, the
Gendarmenmarkt should be high on any visitor’s list. Designed by
Johann Arnold Nering in 1688, the original square survived the best
part of three centuries before Allied bombs destroyed most of its
proudest pieces. Thankfully, meticulous reconstruction has brought
the square back to life and new businesses clamor for a spot near its
cobbles. Particular crowd-pleasers are the German Cathedral and the
French Cathedral—both early 18th century—as well as Karl Schinkel’s
early 19th century Concert House. The annual Christmas Market in the
square is one of a kind and a real slice of traditional German festivities.
GENDARMENMARKT
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What to do ➤ during the day
NEUE NATIONALGALERIE AT THE KULTURFORUM
PHILHARMONIE © REINHARD FRIEDRICH / BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER
CuLturaL
CHECKPOINT CHARLIE
CuLturaL
CHECKPOINT CHARLIE MUSEUM
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 37 25 0
Website: www.mauer-museum.com
It is impossible to escape the legacy of the Berlin
Wall when exploring the German capital today.
What is now a thriving, unified city was, for
almost 30 years, two cities divided by a fortified
barrier. With typical determination, some 5,000
Berliners still managed to defect from East to
West, using a variety of ingenious methods. Their
stories are told at Checkpoint Charlie, the former
border crossing that remains one of the most
potent symbols of the Cold War. The museum
also commemorates those who died while trying
to defect, making a tour of the site as poignant as
it is inspiring. Make the most of your visit with a
private guided tour.
REICHSTAG
KULTURFORUM
Phone: +49 (0) 30 26 64 24 24 2
Address: Potsdamer Strasse
Website: www.smb.museum
With echoes of Museum Island, this complex of
galleries has rooted itself deeply into Berlin’s
cultural landscape. The Gemäldegalerie is famed for
its Old Masters, particularly works by Frans Hals and
Rembrandt, while the nearby Neue Nationalgalerie
houses an extensive collection of 20th century
paintings. Modernist heavyweight Mies van der Rohe
designed the Neue Nationalgalerie in the 1960s and
for modern art lovers, the building alone is worth
the trip. The Kulturforum complex also includes
the Berlin Philharmonie, one of the world’s most
prestigious concert halls and home to the renowned
Berlin Philharmonic. Private tours can be arranged
for all sites within the Kulturforum.
CuLturaL
REICHSTAG
Phone: +49 (0) 30 22 73 21 52
Address: Platz der Republik 1
Website: www.bundestag.de
The restored glass cupola on the German
parliament building has become one of the most
admired feathers in Norman Foster’s cap, and
rightly so. The dome is impressive enough from the
outside, but only by climbing up its glassy guts can
you appreciate its full glory. This feat of engineering
has revived the much-maligned building both
physically and symbolically, and as a microcosm of
Berlin’s history, the Reichstag is without compare.
Hire a private guide for a compelling insight into the
site’s history and architecture.
20
What to do ➤ during the night
B
erlin nightlife is the stuff of legend.
Sexy new bars and clubs have
enriched the old mix of beer halls
and burlesque, and you’ll find the
drinks keep flowing way past the small
hours. The coolest bars are in Mitte,
Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain—
stomping grounds of Berlin’s in crowd—
while the edgy Kreuzberg will suit the
more adventurous. Music is sacred
here—while local techno sets trends
across the world, the State Opera and
Berlin Philharmonic cater well for the
classically inclined. Here’s a glimpse of
some elite essentials.
Spindler & Klatt reStaurant
Bar
Spindler & Klatt
VIP contact: Jeremias Stüer
Phone: +49 (0) 30 31 98 81 86 0
Address: Kopenicherstrasse 16-17
Website: www.spindlerklatt.com
The pinnacle of understated glamour, this sassy
new supper club has raised the bar among
Berlin’s many riverside nightspots. Slender white
futons line the wood-planked terrace, lending a
beach feel straight out of Miami or LA. Swathes
of white curtain enclose the laid-back bar and
restaurant, where Berlin’s bright young things
recline and dine and swill flash cocktails. At 11pm
the dance floor opens and the party shifts up a
gear, with DJs spinning oven-fresh techno until
sunrise. With an über-cool VIP lounge, Spindler &
Klatt is an A-lister’s paradise—don’t be surprised
to rub shoulders with Kanye West or Estelle.
Spindler & Klatt terrace
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tauSend
Bar
tauSend
Phone: +49 (0) 30 27 58 20 70
Address: Schiffbauerdamm 11
Website: www.tausendberlin.com
Anonymous from the outside, guests enter Tausend through a bare iron
door beneath the Paris-Moskau railway and first timers could be forgiven
for thinking twice. However, keep faith and you will discover one of the
hottest new nightspots in Berlin. Tausend has swiftly become the place to
be seen, and several Hollywood bigwigs have loafed on its sofas. The mood
is dark and seductive, with curved steel walls and plenty of mirrors. The
vast bar is well stocked and well staffed, and you would be hard pushed to
find a better Moscow Mule in Berlin.
tauSend cantina
cluB
WeeKend
VIP contact: Sven Hess
Phone: +49 (0) 30 24 63 16 76
Address: Alexanderstrasse 7
Website: www.week-end-berlin.de
Berlin’s movers and shavers do a lot of their moving and shaking at this
respected Mitte nightclub. Like some of the best venues in town, it’s no
great shakes from street level, but the real beauty lies within. As you enter
the cold Soviet high rise on Alexanderplatz, ignore your better instincts
and take a lift to the twelfth floor. There you’ll find a slick bar and pulsating
dance floor, a crowd of keen clubbers and a chic rooftop terrace that
has made Weekend a household name. VIPs can reserve a corner of the
terrace or a table in the bar before the mayhem begins.
WeeKend
22
caBaret
cHaMeleOn tHeater
VIP contact: Friederike Krause
Phone: +49 (0) 30 40 00 59 0
Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 40/41
Website: www.chamaeleonberlin.com
Liza Minnelli owes much to the Berlin cabaret scene. Her performance in
‘Cabaret’ earned her an Oscar and global stardom, and forty years later
Berlin vaudeville lives on. The Chameleon Theater is reminiscent of the
Bob Fosse film, yet this is very much cabaret for the 21st century. The
former ballroom was recently refurbished with high-tech rigging, lighting
and sound, and the globetrotting acts are spectacular. Book a table by the
stage and marvel at singers, dancers, contortionists and tumblers, while
attentive waiters circulate. Delicious Mediterranean food is served one
hour before the show and during the interval, and the wine is supplied by
distinguished local merchant, the Wein & Glas Compagnie. For more exotic
refreshment, the bar staff conjure some truly remarkable cocktails. You’ll
find the theater within the Hackesche Höfe, a complex of courtyards with
some wonderful art nouveau features and a splendid Berlin site on its own.
cHaMeleOn tHeater Gala
‘SOap’ at tHe cHaMeleOn tHeater
‘VerSuS’ at tHe cHaMeleOn tHeater
23
classical Music
Berlin pHilHarMOnie
Berlin pHilHarMOnic
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 48 89 99
Address: Herbert-von-Karajan-Strasse 1
Website: www.berliner-philharmoniker.de
One of the world’s best symphony orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic
regularly scoops critics’ awards and plays to packed houses across the
world. Its home is the Philharmonie, a striking modernist concert hall
with legendary acoustics. Designed by Hans Sharoun in the early 1960s,
the Philharmonie soon set the standard for new concert halls far beyond
German shores. Principle conductor Sir Simon Rattle has become a worldrenowned maestro in his own right, and whenever he takes the baton tickets
sell fast. As well as major symphonies, the orchestra performs chamber
concerts in the attached Kammermusiksaal, and the open air summer
concerts are idyllic (see Featured Events). Philharmonie Intendant Martin
Hoffmann will gladly arrange a private reception room for VIPs.
Berlin pHilHarMOnic
Berlin pHilHarMOnie
JaZZ
a-trane JaZZ cluB
a-trane JaZZ cluB
Phone: +49 (0) 30 31 32 55 0
Address: Pestalozzistrasse 105
Website: www.a-trane.de
In the Golden Twenties, Berliners couldn’t get enough of jazz, and since
the fall of the Wall the craze has returned. Today you’ll find true jazz
aficionados at A-Trane. Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and Arthur
Blythe have all graced the stage here, and the nightly line-up is always first
rate. The genres are eclectic; blues, soul, funk and nu jazz sit alongside
more traditional styles, and the Saturday night jam sessions always keep
you guessing. In short, a cozy, casual place to enjoy world-class jazz.
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What to do ➤ Featured events
T
o overcome such a troubled past, Berlin
today finds a lot to celebrate. From the
weird and wonderful to the refined and
relaxed, the year’s events offer something
for everyone. Making the most of the
seasons, Berlin creates river beaches
in the summer and festive feasts in the
winter. Carnivals erupt at the drop of a hat,
BERLIN PHILHARMONIC AT THE WALDBÜHNE
JUNE 24, 2012
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 48 89 99
Address: Waldbühne Forest Theater, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Website: www.berliner-philharmoniker.de
Every summer, the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic performs an open air
concert at the Waldbühne, a unique forest amphitheatre on the outskirts of
the city. Translating as the ‘forest stage’, the Waldbühne was modelled on the
ancient Greek Theater of Epidaurus (3rd Century BC) and is one of Europe’s
biggest and most picturesque outdoor venues. The auditorium seats 23,000
spectators and the tree-sheltered space has divine acoustics. Traditionally,
the orchestra ends its season here, finishing the performance each year with
Berliner Luft from Paul Lincke’s operetta Frau Luna. For the best seats in the
house, book a place in the covered VIP enclosure.
MSV DUISBURg
DFB FOOTBALL CUP FINAL
MAY 12, 2012
VIP contact: Deutscher Fussball-Bund
Phone: +49 (0) 69 67 88 0
Address: Olympic Stadium, Olympischer Platz 3
Website: www.dfb.de
Football is big business in Germany. The Bundesliga is one of the top three
national football leagues in Europe and commands the highest attendance figures
in the world. As Germany’s performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup proves, the
country has some of the best young players on the planet, and the DFB (German
Football Federation) Cup Final sees 22 of them in action. The final at Berlin’s
Olympic Stadium is a major date in the sporting calendar and tickets are like gold
dust. The setting is a tourist magnet in its own right – built for the 1936 Olympics,
the famous stadium underwent a thorough revamp for the 2006 FIFA World Cup,
and the new VIP boxes offer the perfect vantage point to watch the drama unfold.
CHARLOTTENBURg PALACE
CHRISTMAS MARKET
fireworks ignite the New Year sky and music
spills from halls and parks. Come to Berlin
with an open mind and you’ll be seduced
and inspired by all the city has to offer.
BERLIN PHILHARMONIC AT THE WALDBÜHNE
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
LATE NOVEMBER - END OF DECEMBER, ANNUALLY
Website: www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk
Only the flintiest of hearts could resist the charms of a German Christmas market, and needless to say, Berlin
boasts some of the best. Around 60 markets pop up at the end of November and the rosy-cheeked crowds
come flocking. Germany has a rich history of Christmas markets and to this day you’ll find traditional crafts
and many local treats. The scent of baked apples, roasting chestnuts and gingerbread wafts among stalls of
wooden dolls and lambskin shoes. The largest market is in Spandau Old Town in West Berlin, while the more
central Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most pretty. The Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace arguably
shows this magnificent site at its best, or for something more hair-raising, try the toboggan run at Potsdamer
Platz. Whichever market you choose, warm yourself with a glühwein (mulled wine) and have a good explore.
Tap your foot to a vaudeville band, sing a carol or don a pair of ice skates. Whether you have children with you
or not, you are sure to leave with a big Yuletide smile.
25
WHAT TO DO ➤ SHOPPING
W
hile consumer goods were scarce
under communism, today business
is booming in the old Soviet sector.
Friedrichstrasse is the main retail street
in East Berlin and for international
fashion it now rivals West Berlin’s great
Kurfürstendamm. Berlin also has many upand-coming fashion designers of its own,
and visitors keen for an original or one-off
should investigate the local talent. Head
to the Hackesche Höfe neighborhood in
Mitte or to Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg
for stunning home-grown collections.
While the fashion scene thrives, Berlin has
much else to tempt the curious shopper.
Flea markets overflow with antiques, and
for interior design, you’re in the land that
spawned the Bauhaus.
richest pickings on Fasanenstrasse and
Bleibtreustrasse. Friedrichstrasse is
Ku’damm’s eastern counterpart, with
department stores Galeries Lafayette and
Quartier 206 taking center stage. Just
north of Hackescher Markt in Mitte are
the charming Hackesche Höfe, a maze
of courtyards teeming with trendy shops
and bijou cafés. For antique treasures
and a real Berlin experience, browse the
weekend Trödel Markt flea market on
Strasse des 17 Juni.
BeST SHOPPING AreAS / DISTrIcTS
L
abel hunters will find all the big
brands along Kurfürstendamm (or
‘Ku’damm’ to locals), the historic heart
of Berlin shopping and home to the
mammoth KaDeWe. Chic boutiques
nestle in its side streets, with the
DePArTmeNT STOreS
Phone: +49 (0) 30 21 21 0
VIP contact: Ursula Vierkötter
Website: www.kadewe.de
The most distinguished department store in
Berlin, Kaufhaus des Westens promises retail
bliss for the Elite Traveler. KaDeWe (as it is more
commonly known) contains an exceptional range
of products, from luxury fashion and scents to
exotic fruit and ostrich eggs. The palatial store
offers personal shoppers, a shipping service,
a wedding and gift service, a hotel and home
service, a tailor, hairdressers, beauty lounges,
buggy rental and a bureau de change. The recently
expanded luxury boulevard on the ground floor
houses jewelry and accessories from the highest
caliber brands, and the next three floors are
devoted to menswear and women’s wear from
the world’s most elite fashion houses. The sixth
floor gourmet department has to be seen to be
believed, with a staggering selection of wines,
cheeses and that old German favorite, sausages.
Over its one hundred year history, KaDeWe has
earned a reputation for excellence and abundance,
and you’ll find the VIP service second to none.
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DePArTmeNT STOreS
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
VIP contact: Joahir Osman
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 94 80 (general) /
+49 (0) 15 22 42 20 92 0 (personal shopping)
Website: www.galerieslafayette.de
The Berlin branch of the famed French
department store, Galeries Lafayette
enjoys pride of place on the upmarket
Friedrichstrasse. Built during the postWall boom of the nineties, the swish glass
building was designed by superstar architect
Jean Nouvel, and the contents of the shop
are equally formidable. Products are almost
exclusively French and include highly sought
after labels, perfumes and accessories. For
more local produce, check out the store’s
Labo Mode section, which showcases new
collections from young Berlin designers.
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
27
ALI THOMPSON
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
Phone: +49 (0) 30 21 01 61 86
Address: Nürnberger Strasse 50-55
www.ali-thompson.de
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.dvf.com
ANYA HINDMARCH
DIOR
QUARTIER 206
www.anyahindmarch.com
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.dior.com
APARTMENT
Phone: +49 (0) 30 28 04 22 51
Address: Memhardstrasse 8
www.apartmentberlin.de
ARMANI COLLEZIONI
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
PEEK & CLOPPENBURG
www.armani.com
QUARTIER 206
DePArTmeNT STOreS
BALENCIAGA
THE CORNER
www.balenciaga.com
BURBERRY
Phone: +49 (0) 30 42 08 33 58
Address: Frankfurter Allee 95-97
www.f95store.com
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 54 81 1
Address: Kurfürstendamm 183
www.burberry.com
QUARTIER 206
QUARTIER 206
F95
www.celine.com
PEEK & CLOPPENBURG
Phone: +49 (0) 30 21 29 00
Address: Tauentzienstrasse 19
www.peek-cloppenburg.com
THE CORNER
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 67 09 40
www.thecornerberlin.de
FASHION & AcceSSOrIeS
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.alexandermcqueen.com
DOLCE & GABBANA
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
QUARTIER 206
www.dolcegabbana.com
DONNA KARAN
F95
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 94 62 40
www.quartier206.com
DKNY
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
QUARTIER 206
PEEK & CLOPPENBURG
www.donnakaran.com
QUARTIER 206
www.donnakaran.com
EMPORIO ARMANI
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
PEEK & CLOPPENBURG
www.emporioarmani.com
CELINE
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
CHANEL
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 51 42 4
Address: Kurfürstendamm 188-189
www.chanel.com
CHLOÉ
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 71 90 90
Address: Kufürstendamm 185
www.zegna.com
ESCADA
Phone: +49 (0) 30 23 86 44 9
www.escada.com
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
QUARTIER 206
www.chloe.com
GESINE WESSELS
CHRISTIAN LACROIX
KADEWE
www.christian-lacroix.fr
D&G
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
PEEK & CLOPPENBURG
www.dolcegabbana.com
28
Phone: +49 (0) 15 12 26 44 31 3
Address: Meinekestrasse 7
www.gesinewessels.de
GIORGIO ARMANI
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
QUARTIER 206
www.giorgioarmani.com
GUCCI
PRADA
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 56 30 0
www.gucci.com
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
QUARTIER 206
www.prada.com
HERMÈS
RALPH LAUREN
Phone: +49 (0) 30 32 70 83 75
www.hermes.com
HUGO BOSS
Phone: +49 (0) 30 28 88 45 50
Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 49
www.hugoboss.com
JIMMY CHOO
QUARTIER 206
www.jimmychoo.com
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
PEEK & CLOPPENBURG
www.ralphlauren.com
QUARTIER 206
MARC JACOBS
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.marcjacobs.com
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.ferragamo.com
MIENTUS
SKODA
KADEWE
www.johngalliano.com
Men’s fashion
Phone: +49 (0) 30 32 39 07 7
www.mientus.com
Phone: +49 (0) 30 28 07 21 1
Address: Alte Schönhauser Strasse 35
www.claudiaskoda.com
JIL SANDER
MISSONI
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 67 02 0
www.jilsander.com
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.missoni.com
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
www.soniarykiel.com
JOHN GALLIANO
SONIA RYKIEL
STELLA MCCARTNEY
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.stellamccartney.com
JOSEPH
MIU MIU
KADEWE
www.joseph.co.uk
QUARTIER 206
www.miumiu.com
KENZO
MOSCHINO
KADEWE
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
www.kenzo.com
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 94 61 55
www.moschino.it
LANVIN
MULBERRY
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.lanvin.com
KADEWE
www.mulberry.com
LOEWE
NARCISO RODRIGUEZ
VERSACE
KADEWE
www.narcisorodriguez.com
KADEWE
www.versace.com
KADEWE
www.loewe.com
LOUIS VUITTON
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 25 2
www.louisvuitton.com
MANOLO BLAHNIK
QUARTER 206
www.manoloblahnik.com
TOMMY HILFIGER
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 92 08 76
www.de.tommy.com
VALENTINO
Phone: +49 (0) 30 31 01 61 66
www.valentinofashiongroup.com
OSCAR DE LA RENTA
VIKTOR & ROLF
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
www.oscardelarenta.com
KADEWE
QUARTIER 206
APARTMENT
www.viktor-rolf.com
PORSCHE DESIGN
Phone: +49 (0) 30 88 71 78 30
www.berlin.porsche-design.de
29
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
KADEWE
www.viviennewestwood.co.uk
Need to kNow
Private jet termiNals
ExEcUJEt AvIAtION GROUp
FBO
VIP contact: Elke Scheib
Phone FBO: +49 (0) 30 8875 4700
Email FBO: [email protected]
Location of facility: Berlin Schönefeld Airport
charter
Phone Charter: +49 (0) 30 8875 4747 (24 hours)
Email Charter: [email protected]
Website: www.execujet.net
The ExecuJet Aviation Group is a leading global business aviation
organisation offering a diverse range of services including
pre-owned and new aircraft sales, aircraft management for private and
commercial registered aircraft, aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance,
aircraft completions management and fixed base operations.
Headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, ExecuJet has operations in six
regions – Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and
South Africa – embracing a workforce of over 800 experienced staff.
flight crew, the new FBO facility offers a pilot lounge, a fully equipped
work room with complimentary internet connection, fax, print facilities
and beverages. Refreshments are provided for the conference rooms,
telephone and work zones, or whilst just relaxing in the lounge and bar
areas. The business aviation terminal is ideal for guests, providing a
quiet and private environment, where professional and friendly staff will
take care of all individual requirements and preferences upon request.
Berlin Facility
The ExecuJet Berlin FBO offers a VIP passenger lounge that provides
the perfect environment to conduct business or relaxation. For visiting
ExecuJet Europe and Middle East offers a charter fleet of more
than 15 aircraft, ranging from all types of business aircraft for all
desired journeys.
GLOBEGROUND vIp LOUNGE
GLOBEGROUND BERLIN
VIP contact: David Wilder
Phone: +49 (0) 30 4101 3093
Airport addresses:
Berlin Tegel Airport, 13405 Berlin
Berlin Schönefeld Airport, D-12529 Berlin
Website: www.globeground-berlin.com
Berlin Tegel and Berlin Schönefeld are the capital’s two main airports and
GlobeGround is the largest private jet handling team at both. They offer a
complete ground-handling service package, with state-of-the-art equipment
certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. The package includes baggage handling,
limousine hire, hotel reservation, guided city tours, and personal security.
Meetings, receptions, press conferences as well as charter and helicopter
flights can be organized upon request, and all services are adapted to suit the
needs of the guest. The GlobeGround VIP lounges at Berlin Tegel and Berlin
Schönefeld attract prominent figures in politics, business, sport and culture.
OxyGEN AvIAtION
Phone: +44 (0)1403 237 010
Website: www.oxygenaviation.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/oxygenaviation
Services: Oxygen Aviation is synonymous with excellence in private
jet travel. By consistently providing an unsurpassed level of service,
Oxygen Aviation has become a major force in the private jet market
that offers total worldwide coverage.
It offers a full aviation solution; aircraft charter, sales,
management, block-hours and consultancy. You have choices
where to spend your time, money and energies, and you will be
sure to have more of each of these, once you begin traveling with
Oxygen Aviation.
30
Need to kNow
UsefUl INformatIoN/traNsport
WHEN BEST TO GO
The best time to visit Berlin is from late spring to
early autumn. May, June, September and October
are ideal months as the weather is relatively
warm and the tourist crowds are smaller. Berlin
is known for its sudden rain showers throughout
the year and winter gets cold and snowy.
LOCAL CUSTOMS
Smoking in public places such as bars and
restaurants is illegal, though many bars
ignore this.
LANGUAGE
German is the native language but you’ll find
many Berliners speak good English.
CLIMATE
CURRENCY
EURO
EXCHANGE RATE
$1 = EUR 0.7361, £1 = EUR 1.175
COUNTRY DIALLING CODE
+49
24 HOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT
Ambulance: 112, Fire Services: 112, Police: 110
EMBASSY CONTACTS
US: + 49 (0) 30 83 05 0
UK: + 49 (0) 30 20 45 70
TIME ZONE
GMT + 1 hour
POPULATION
3.5 million
RELIGIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC
Berlin is said to be the atheist capital of Europe,
with more than 60% of the population claiming no
religious affiliation. Of the rest, 22% are Protestant,
9.4% Roman Catholic, and 8.8% Muslim (largely
among the Turkish immigrant community).
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The principle public holidays in Berlin are New
Year’s day, Good Friday, Labour Day, Day of
German Unity, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and
Ascension Day.
TYPICAL OPENING HOURS
Normal business hours for shops are between
10am and 8pm, Monday to Saturday, while the
bigger shopping centers stay open until 10pm on
weekdays. Smaller shops may close between 2pm
and 4pm on Saturdays, except in the four weeks
before Christmas when they stay open until 6pm.
dress informally. Warm clothes are essential
in winter and a waterproof jacket and umbrella
are recommended in spring and autumn. Shorts,
t-shirts and sandals are perfectly acceptable in
the summer. Germans are generally comfortable
with nudity, so don’t be shocked to see the
occasional topless sunbather in parks.
ATTIRE
Berlin is a very liberal city and people tend to
Mean temperature (°C)
Total rainfall
(mm)
Number
of rainy days
2
46
17
-3
3
40
15
March
0
8
33
2
April
4
13
42
13
May
8
19
49
12
June
12
22
65
13
July
14
24
73
14
August
13
23
69
144
September
10
20
48
12
October
6
13
49
14
November
2
7
46
16
December
-12
3
43
17
Month
Daily
minimum
Daily
maximum
January
-3
February
EXCLUSIvE TRANSPORT
INTERLINE
Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 17 77 0
Address: Behrenstrasse 17-20
Website: www.interline-berlin.de
Interline prides itself on its safe and efficient service. Serving individual and business customers from a wide
range of industries, Interline chauffeurs and pilots will ensure that you get from A to B safely, in comfort and,
most importantly, on time. Their limousine fleet includes new Mercedes, BMW and VW models, while their
aircraft range includes Cessna, Embraer, Challenger, Falcon and Global Express planes. Interline offers local,
national and international transportation.
DIAMOND DRIvE
Phone: +49 (0) 30 75 45 56 29/30
Address: Grazer Platz 10
Website: www.diamonddrive.de
Diamond Drive provides luxury limousines equipped with massage seats and entertainment systems, available
24/7 for airport transfers, on demand transportation and sightseeing tours. Whether you want a swift transfer
or a tranquil tour, your chauffeur will tailor your journey to suit your particular needs. Your sightseeing route is
planned according to your interests and schedule, and led by a multilingual chauffeur-guide. Vehicles available
include the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8.
31

berlin - Elite Traveler

Transcription

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