Destination GuiDe series - Elite Traveler · 2020. 5. 17. · brands. Address: Wilmersdorfer...

Dest inat ion Gu iDe ser i es

BerL in

elite guide to Berlin

2elite destination guide | Berlinwww.elitetraveler.comwww.elitetraveler.com 2

HigHligHts of Berlin 3

only elite 4 Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experiences

ConCierge reCommendations 5 We asked Berlin’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day in the city

WHere to

➤ stay 8

➤ dine 15

➤ Be PamPered 18

WHat to do

➤ during tHe day 19

➤ during tHe nigHt 21

➤ featured events 25

➤ sHoPPing 26

need to knoW

➤ Private jet terminals 30

➤ useful information 31

➤ exClusive transPort 31

sony Center, Potsdamer Platz

Berlin skyline

loCal art: ‘limit’, anton Burdakov

‘versus’ at tHe CHameleon tHeater

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destination guide series

www.elitetraveler.comelite destination guide | Berlin

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highlights of BerlinDon’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,

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.

Passionate and iconoclastic, Berlin is like the teenage sibling of Munich or Frankfurt, and will reward those who love a surprise.

HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKIVIP contact: Oliver Eller, General ManagerPhone: +49 (0) 30 22 61 12 00Email: [email protected]: Unter den Linden 77Website: www.kempinski.comDuring 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 phoenix-like revival in the last decade has garnered all kinds of praise, and it remains the grande dame of Berlin refinement.

DFB FOOTBALL CUP FINALMAY 12, 2012VIP contact: Deutscher Fussball-BundPhone: +49 (0) 69 67 88 0Email: [email protected]: Olympic Stadium, Olympischer Platz 3Website: www.dfb.dePerch 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 WESTENSVIP contact: Ursula Vierkötter Phone: +49 (0) 30 21 21 0Email: [email protected]: Tauentzienstrasse 21-24Website: www.kadewe.deThe 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.

KAUFHAUS DES WESTENS

HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI BErLIN OLyMPIC STADIUM


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Only elite Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experiences

DRAG RACING NITROLYMPXANNUALLY IN AUGUSTVIP contact: Jutta Halter, Hockenheimring Hospitality ManagerPhone: +49 (0) 62 05 95 00 (general) / +49 (0) 62 05 95 01 95 (hospitality)Email: [email protected]: Hockenheimring Motodrom, 68766 HockenheimWebsite: www.hockenheimring.net / www.nitrolympx.comIn 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).

FLOATPLANE LUNCH FLIGHTVIP contact: Commander Frank HellbergPhone: +49 (0) 30 53 21 53 21Email: [email protected] Website: www.air-service-berlin.deTaking 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.

HOPPEGARTEN RACECOURSEVIP contact: Harriet Roske, Bunker International GroupPhone: +44 (0) 20 73 68 42 82Email: [email protected] Website: www.hoppegarten.com / www.bunkerinternational.comThe 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.

FLOATPLANE ‘DUCk 01’

DRAG RACING NITROLYMPICS

RACING AT THE HOPPEGARTEN RACECOURSE


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CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONSWe asked Berlin’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day in the city

Doina KocherhansGuest experience ManaGer, hotel lux 11

Phone: +49 (0) 30 93 62 80 0 Website: www.lux-eleven.comA 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.

Best restaurantsSchönbrunnCuisine: Mediterranean Address: Am Friedrichshain 8

Grill RoyalCuisine: SteakhouseAddress: Friedrichstrasse 105B

White TrashCuisine: German, Tex-Mex and American diner classics Address: Schönhauser Allee 6/7

Best shoppinGAdidas Originals StoreFor: Urban footwear and fashion.Address: Münzstrasse 13

Best to DoOpen Air Karaoke at MauerparkAddress: Falkplatz 1

anne raBer heaD concierGe, hotel De roMe

Phone: +49 (0) 30 46 06 09 0Website: www.hotelderome.comAfter 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 restaurantsParioliCuisine: Mediterranean Address: Behrenstrasse 37

Grill RoyalCuisine: Steakhouse Address: Friedrichstrasse 105B

Cantina TausendCuisine: Asian and Ibero-AmericanAddress: Schiffbauerdamm 11

Best shoppinG The CornerFor: Exclusive fashion for men and women.Address: Französische Strasse 40

Best to Do Take a day trip to the beautiful town of Potsdam.

Chill out at the Badeschiff (outdoor pool)Address: Eichenstrasse 4.

Doina Kocherhans

anne raBer


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CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS

Mario Weihrich concierGe, hotel intercontinental

Phone: +49 (0) 30 26 02 0Website: www.berlin.intercontinental.com

Best restaurantsHugosCuisine: French Mediterranean Address: Budapester Strasse 2

VauCuisine: German Address: Jägerstrasse 54

ReinstoffCuisine: Classic haute cuisineAddress: Schlegelstrasse 26c

Best shoppinGBread & Butter Trade Fair Date: 6 – 8 JULY, 2011 For: Cutting edge urban wear.Address: Berlin Tempelhof Airport

The CornerFor: Exclusive fashion for men and women.Address: Französische Strasse 40

Kids CornerFor: Exclusive fashion for children and babies.Address: Wilmersdorfer Strasse 98

MientusFor: Extensive selection of luxury fashion brands. Address: Wilmersdorfer Strasse 73

Best to DoTake 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.

Best sKY BarsSolarAddress: Stresemannstrasse 76

PuroAddress: Tauentzienstrasse 11

thoMas MunKo heaD concierGe, ritz-carlton hotel

Phone: +49 (0) 30 33 77 76 00 2Website: www.ritzcarlton.comTake 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 restaurantsMargauxCuisine: FrenchAddress: Unter den Linden 78

ReinstoffCuisine: Classic haute cuisine Address: Schlegelstrasse 26c

Best shoppinGCabinet at Quartier 206For: Avant-garde urban wear for men and women. Address: Friedrichstrasse 71

thoMas MunKo

Mario Weihrich


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CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS

seBastian schönfisch concierGe, GranD hYatt hotel

Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 53 12 34 Website: www.berlin.grand.hyatt.comEnjoy 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 restaurantsFacilCuisine: Traditional InternationalAddress: Potsdamer Strasse 3

ReinstoffCuisine: Classic haute cuisineAddress: Schlegelstrasse 26c

Weinbar RutzCuisine: GermanAddress: Chausseestrasse 8

Best shoppinGThe CornerFor: Exclusive fashion for men and women. Address: Französische Strasse 40

Best to DoVisit Museum Island and the Jewish Museum, stroll on Unter den Linden and around Hackescher Markt, and take a day trip to Potsdam.

nicolai laaser concierGe, hotel sofitel

Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 37 50 Website: www.sofitel.comStart 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.

Best restaurantsWeinbar RutzCuisine: GermanAddress: Chausseestrasse 8

VauCuisine: GermanAddress: Jägerstrasse 54

Brechts Cuisine: Traditional Austrian and Modern InternationalAddress: Schiffbauerdamm 6-7

Best shoppinG Galeries LafayetteFor: Exclusive French fashion, perfumes and accessories, as well as new collections from young Berlin designers.Address: Friedrichstrasse 76-78

Best to DoAttend a concert by the Berlin Philharmonic, or spend a night at the opera.

JohnnY pireDDa chief concierGe, GranD hotel esplanaDe

Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 47 80 Website: www.esplanade.deAfter 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 restaurantsSankt MoritzCuisine: French MediterraneanAddress: Regensburger Strasse 7

Il SorrisoCuisine: ItalianAddress: Kurfürstenstrasse 76

FilouCuisine: ItalianAddress: Bleibtreustrasse 7

Best shoppinGKaDeWeFor: Almost everything under the sun. High-end fashion, jewelry, perfumes, technology, books and toys. The huge gourmet floor is an epicure’s dream. Address: Tauentzienstrasse 21-24

Best to DoMuseum IslandAddress: Bodestrasse

GranD hYatt hotel

www.elitetraveler.com

Where to Stay

elite destination guide | Berlin8

Where to Stay Whether a sumptuous bed, a spectacular view or service beyond compare – choose from our stunning selection of hotels

HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKIVIP contact: Oliver Eller, General ManagerPhone: +49 (0) 30 22 61 10 02Email: [email protected]: Unter den Linden 77Website: www.kempinski.comQueen 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.

TOP SUITE 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.

LIbRARY, HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI

FELIX CLUb RESTAURANT AT THE HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI

bATHROOM, ROYAL SUITE

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Where to Stay

THE REGENT VIP contact: Janina Schwander, Reservations SupervisorPhone: +49 (0) 30 20 33 8Email: [email protected]: Charlottenstrasse 49Website: www.regenthotels.com/berlinWith 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.

TOP SUITE PRESIDENTIAL SUITESquare 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.

FISCHERS FRITz AT THE REGENT THE REGENT bAR

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE REGENTTHE REGENT EvENT ROOM


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Where to Stay

HOTEL DE ROMEVIP contact: Thies Sponholz, General ManagerPhone: +49 (0) 30 46 06 09 0Email: [email protected]: Behrenstrasse 37Website: www.hotelderome.comHoused 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.

TOP SUITE 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.

HOTEL DE ROME bALLROOM

HOTEL DE ROME LObbY

bEbEL SUITE


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Where to Stay

SCHLOSSHOTEL IM GRUNEWALD VIP contact: Tania Saez de Guinoa, General ManagerPhone: +49 (0) 30 89 58 40Email: [email protected]: Brahmsstrasse 10, Charlottenburg-WilmersdorfWebsite: www.schlosshotelberlin.comIn 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.

TOP SUITE KAISER SUITE Square footage: 2,150 Nightly rate: $6,600 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.

KAISER SUITE

SCHLOSSHOTEL IM GRUNEWALD

RESTAURANT vIvALDI AT THE SCHLOSSHOTEL IM GRUNEWALD


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Where to Stay

LUX 11 VIP contact: Dirk Dreyer, General ManagerPhone: +49 (0) 30 93 62 80 0Email: [email protected]: Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 9 - 13 Website: www.lux-eleven.comNestled 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 Square footage: 1,720 Nightly rate: $1,000 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.

LUX 11 PENTHOUSE

LUX 11


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Where to Stay

THE SAvOY VIP contact: Hans Eilers, General ManagerPhone: +49 (0) 30 31 10 30Email: [email protected]: Fasanenstrasse 9-10Website: www.hotel-savoy.comBerlin’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.

HENRY MILLER SUITE

TIMES bAR AT THE SAvOY


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Where to Stay

THE MANDALA VIP contact: Lutz Hesse and Christian AndresenPhone: +49 (0) 30 59 00 50 00 0Email: [email protected]: Potsdamer Strasse 3Website: www.themandala.deA 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 SUITE TOP OF THE TOWN Square footage: 2,150 Nightly rate: $7,707 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.

TOP OF THE TOWN SUITE

GRAND HOTEL ESPLANADE bERLIN Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 47 80 Fax: +49 (0) 30 25 47 82 22Email: [email protected]: Lützowufer 15, 10785 BerlinWebsite: 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 feel-good 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

For 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

for award-winning German, French or Asian fare or stray further afield for some of the best Turkish food outside Ankara.

trADitionALtoP ChoiCe

LUTTER & WEGNERManager: Kathrin LoitzschPhone: +49 (0) 30 20 29 54 0Email: [email protected]: Charlottenstrasse 56 Website: www.restaurantlutterundwegner.deCuisine: BavarianStyle / 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.

HUGOSMaitre d’: Olaf RodePhone: +49 (0) 30 26 02 12 63 Email: [email protected]: Budapester Strasse 2Website: www.hugos-restaurant.deCuisine: French MediterraneanStyle / 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.

LUTTER & WEGNERHUGOS

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Where to Dine

MoDern

FACILManager: Edwin Manuel FinsterPhone: +49 (0) 30 59 00 51 23 4Email: [email protected] Address: Potsdamer Strasse 3 Website: www.facil.deCuisine: Traditional InternationalStyle / 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.

FACIL

stYLish

hAute Cuisine

GRILL ROYALRestaurant Manager: Jessica PaulPhone: +49 (0) 30 28 87 92 88 Email: [email protected]: Friedrichstrasse 105bWebsite: www.grillroyal.comCuisine: SteakhouseStyle / 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.

GRILL ROYAL

FIRST FLOORMaitre d’: Martin RiesePhone: +49 (0) 30 25 02 10 20Email: [email protected] Address: Budapester Strasse 45Website: www.firstfloor.palace.deCuisine: FrenchStyle / 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


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toP ChoiCe

REINSTOFFManager: Sabine DemelPhone: +49 (0) 30 30 88 12 14Email: [email protected]: Edison Höfe, Schlegelstrasse 26Website: www.reinstoff.euCuisine: Avant-garde haute cuisineStyle / 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.

hAute Cuisine

mARGAUXHead Chef: Michael HoffmannPhone: +49 (0) 30 22 65 26 11Email: [email protected]: Unter den Linden 78Website: www.margaux-berlin.deCuisine: FrenchStyle / 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

VAUMaitre d’: Manuel FinsterPhone: +49 (0) 30 20 29 73 0Email: [email protected] Address: Jägerstrasse 54Website: www.vau-berlin.deCuisine: GermanStyle / 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.

VAU

VEAL, CELERY, YUzU & VANILLA AT REINSTOFF

Where to Dine

elite destination guide | Berlinwww.elitetraveler.com 1818

Where to be pampered Be transported to another world of relaxation and beauty with our top therapists and spas

Adlon dAy SpATop Therapist: Katja WentlandtPhone: +49 (0) 30 30 11 17 20 0Email: [email protected]: Behrenstrasse 72Website: www.adlon-day-spa.deTreatments 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.

SpA de RomeVIP contact: Christoph KlinkhammerPhone: +49 (0) 30 46 06 09 11 60Email: [email protected]: Hotel de Rome, Behrenstrasse 37Website: www.hotelderome.comTreatments 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.

SpA de Rome

Adlon dAy SpA


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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.

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.

CuLturaL

MUSEUM ISLAND Phone: +49 (0) 30 26 64 24 24 2Email: [email protected]: BodestrasseWebsite: www.smb.spk-berlin.deIn 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.

CuLturaL

UNTER DEN LINDEN Address: Mitte districtMarlene 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.

City StroLLBRANDENBURG GATE, UNTER DEN LINDEN

MUSEUM ISLAND

GENDARMENMARKT

What to do ➤ during the day


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CHECKPOINT CHARLIE MUSEUM Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 37 25 0Email: [email protected]: Friedrichstrasse 43-45Website: www.mauer-museum.comIt 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.

CuLturaL

REICHSTAGPhone: +49 (0) 30 22 73 21 52Email: [email protected]: Platz der Republik 1 Website: www.bundestag.deThe 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.

CuLturaL

KULTURFORUMPhone: +49 (0) 30 26 64 24 24 2 Email: [email protected]: Potsdamer StrasseWebsite: www.smb.museumWith 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

NEUE NATIONALGALERIE AT THE KULTURFORUM

CHECKPOINT CHARLIE

REICHSTAG

PHILHARMONIE © REINHARD FRIEDRICH / BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER


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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

Spindler & Klatt terrace

Spindler & KlattVIP contact: Jeremias Stüer Phone: +49 (0) 30 31 98 81 86 0Email: [email protected]: Kopenicherstrasse 16-17Website: www.spindlerklatt.comThe 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.

Bar

T R A V E L E R

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tauSendPhone: +49 (0) 30 27 58 20 70Email: [email protected]: Schiffbauerdamm 11Website: www.tausendberlin.comAnonymous 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.

Bar

WeeKendVIP contact: Sven HessPhone: +49 (0) 30 24 63 16 76Email: [email protected]: Alexanderstrasse 7 Website: www.week-end-berlin.deBerlin’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.

cluB

WeeKend

tauSend cantina

tauSend



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cHaMeleOn tHeaterVIP contact: Friederike Krause Phone: +49 (0) 30 40 00 59 0Email: [email protected]: Rosenthaler Strasse 40/41Website: www.chamaeleonberlin.comLiza 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.

caBaret

‘VerSuS’ at tHe cHaMeleOn tHeater

‘SOap’ at tHe cHaMeleOn tHeater

cHaMeleOn tHeater Gala



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a-trane JaZZ cluBPhone: +49 (0) 30 31 32 55 0Email: [email protected]: Pestalozzistrasse 105Website: www.a-trane.deIn 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.

Berlin pHilHarMOnic Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 48 89 99Email: [email protected]: Herbert-von-Karajan-Strasse 1Website: www.berliner-philharmoniker.deOne 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 world-renowned 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.

JaZZ

classical Music

Berlin pHilHarMOnic

Berlin pHilHarMOnie

Berlin pHilHarMOnie

a-trane JaZZ cluB


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What to do ➤ Featured events

To 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,

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

BERLIN PHILHARMONIC AT THE WALDBÜHNEJUNE 24, 2012Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 48 89 99Address: Waldbühne Forest Theater, Charlottenburg-WilmersdorfEmail: [email protected]: www.berliner-philharmoniker.deEvery 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.

DFB FOOTBALL CUP FINALMAY 12, 2012VIP contact: Deutscher Fussball-BundPhone: +49 (0) 69 67 88 0Address: Olympic Stadium, Olympischer Platz 3Email: [email protected]: www.dfb.deFootball 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.

MSV DUISBURg

CHRISTMAS MARKETSLATE NOVEMBER - END OF DECEMBER, ANNUALLYWebsite: www.germany-christmas-market.org.ukOnly 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.

CHARLOTTENBURg PALACE CHRISTMAS MARKET

BERLIN PHILHARMONIC AT THE WALDBÜHNE

elite destination guide | Berlinwww.elitetraveler.com

WHAT TO DO ➤ SHOPPING

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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 up-and-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.

Label 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

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

DePArTmeNT STOreS

KAUFHAUS DES WESTENS Phone: +49 (0) 30 21 21 0VIP contact: Ursula VierkötterEmail: [email protected]: Tauentzienstrasse 21-24Website: www.kadewe.deThe 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.

KAUFHAUS DES WESTENS

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DeSTINATION GuIDe SerIeS



DePArTmeNT STOreS

GALERIES LAFAYETTE VIP contact: Joahir Osman Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 94 80 (general) / +49 (0) 15 22 42 20 92 0 (personal shopping) Email: [email protected]: Friedrichstrasse 76-78 Website: www.galerieslafayette.deThe Berlin branch of the famed French department store, Galeries Lafayette enjoys pride of place on the upmarket Friedrichstrasse. Built during the post-Wall 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

GALERIES LAFAYETTE



FASHION & AcceSSOrIeS

ALEXANDER MCQUEENKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.alexandermcqueen.com

DePArTmeNT STOreS

F95Phone: +49 (0) 30 42 08 33 58 Email: [email protected]: Frankfurter Allee 95-97 www.f95store.com

QUARTIER 206 Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 94 62 40Email: [email protected]: Friedrichstrasse 71www.quartier206.com

PEEK & CLOPPENBURG Phone: +49 (0) 30 21 29 00Email: [email protected]: Tauentzienstrasse 19www.peek-cloppenburg.com

THE CORNER Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 67 09 40Email: [email protected]: Französische Strasse 40www.thecornerberlin.de

ALI THOMPSONPhone: +49 (0) 30 21 01 61 86Address: Nürnberger Strasse 50-55www.ali-thompson.de

ANYA HINDMARCHQUARTIER 206www.anyahindmarch.com

APARTMENTPhone: +49 (0) 30 28 04 22 51 Address: Memhardstrasse 8www.apartmentberlin.de

ARMANI COLLEZIONIKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEPEEK & CLOPPENBURGwww.armani.com

BALENCIAGATHE CORNERwww.balenciaga.com

BURBERRYPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 54 81 1Address: Kurfürstendamm 183www.burberry.com

CELINEQUARTIER 206F95www.celine.com

CHANELPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 51 42 4Address: Kurfürstendamm 188-189www.chanel.com

CHLOÉKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEQUARTIER 206www.chloe.com

CHRISTIAN LACROIXKADEWEwww.christian-lacroix.fr

D&GKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEPEEK & CLOPPENBURGwww.dolcegabbana.com

DIANE VON FURSTENBERGKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.dvf.com

DIORKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.dior.com

DKNYKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEQUARTIER 206PEEK & CLOPPENBURGwww.donnakaran.com

DOLCE & GABBANAKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEQUARTIER 206www.dolcegabbana.com

DONNA KARANQUARTIER 206www.donnakaran.com

EMPORIO ARMANIKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTE PEEK & CLOPPENBURGwww.emporioarmani.com

ERMENEGILDO ZEGNAPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 71 90 90Address: Kufürstendamm 185www.zegna.com

ESCADAPhone: +49 (0) 30 23 86 44 9Address: Friedrichstrasse 176-179www.escada.com

GESINE WESSELSPhone: +49 (0) 15 12 26 44 31 3 Address: Meinekestrasse 7www.gesinewessels.de

GIORGIO ARMANIKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEQUARTIER 206www.giorgioarmani.com

QUARTIER 206



GUCCIPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 56 30 0 Address: Kurfürstendamm 190-192www.gucci.com

HERMÈSPhone: +49 (0) 30 32 70 83 75Address: Kurfürstendamm 58www.hermes.com

HUGO BOSSPhone: +49 (0) 30 28 88 45 50Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 49www.hugoboss.com

JIMMY CHOOQUARTIER 206www.jimmychoo.com

JOHN GALLIANOKADEWEwww.johngalliano.com

JIL SANDERPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 67 02 0Address: Kurfürstendamm 185www.jilsander.com

JOSEPHKADEWEwww.joseph.co.uk

KENZOKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEwww.kenzo.com

LANVINKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.lanvin.com

LOEWEKADEWEwww.loewe.com

LOUIS VUITTONPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 25 2 Address: Kurfürstendamm 56-57 www.louisvuitton.com

MANOLO BLAHNIKQUARTER 206www.manoloblahnik.com

MARC JACOBSKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.marcjacobs.com

MIENTUSMen’s fashionPhone: +49 (0) 30 32 39 07 7Address: Wilmersdorfer Strasse 73www.mientus.com

MISSONIKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.missoni.com

MIU MIUQUARTIER 206www.miumiu.com

MOSCHINO Phone: +49 (0) 30 20 94 61 55Address: Friedrichstrasse 71www.moschino.it

MULBERRYKADEWEwww.mulberry.com

NARCISO RODRIGUEZKADEWEwww.narcisorodriguez.com

OSCAR DE LA RENTAKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.oscardelarenta.com

PORSCHE DESIGNPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 71 78 30Address: Kurfürstendamm 190-192www.berlin.porsche-design.de

PRADAKADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEQUARTIER 206www.prada.com

RALPH LAUREN KADEWEGALERIES LAFAYETTEPEEK & CLOPPENBURG www.ralphlauren.com

SALVATORE FERRAGAMOKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.ferragamo.com

SKODAPhone: +49 (0) 30 28 07 21 1Address: Alte Schönhauser Strasse 35www.claudiaskoda.com

SONIA RYKIELGALERIES LAFAYETTEwww.soniarykiel.com

STELLA MCCARTNEYKADEWEQUARTIER 206www.stellamccartney.com

TOMMY HILFIGERPhone: +49 (0) 30 88 92 08 76Address: Kurfürstendamm 217www.de.tommy.com

VALENTINOPhone: +49 (0) 30 31 01 61 66Address: Kurfürstendamm 57www.valentinofashiongroup.com

VERSACEKADEWEwww.versace.com

VIKTOR & ROLFKADEWE QUARTIER 206APARTMENTwww.viktor-rolf.com

VIVIENNE WESTWOODKADEWEwww.viviennewestwood.co.uk

QUARTIER 206


Need to kNow Private jet termiNals

GLOBEGROUND BERLIN VIP contact: David WilderPhone: +49 (0) 30 4101 3093Email: [email protected] addresses: Berlin Tegel Airport, 13405 BerlinBerlin Schönefeld Airport, D-12529 Berlin Website: www.globeground-berlin.comBerlin 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 010Email: [email protected]: www.oxygenaviation.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/oxygenaviationServices: 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.

ExEcUJEt AvIAtION GROUp FBOVIP contact: Elke ScheibPhone FBO: +49 (0) 30 8875 4700Email FBO: [email protected] of facility: Berlin Schönefeld AirportcharterPhone Charter: +49 (0) 30 8875 4747 (24 hours)Email Charter: [email protected]: 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.

Berlin FacilityThe ExecuJet Berlin FBO offers a VIP passenger lounge that provides the perfect environment to conduct business or relaxation. For visiting

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.

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


Need to kNow UsefUl INformatIoN/traNsport

WHEN BEST TO GOThe 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 CUSTOMSSmoking in public places such as bars and restaurants is illegal, though many bars ignore this.

ATTIREBerlin is a very liberal city and people tend to

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.

LANGUAGEGerman is the native language but you’ll find many Berliners speak good English.

CURRENCYEURO

EXCHANGE RATE$1 = EUR 0.7361, £1 = EUR 1.175

COUNTRY DIALLING CODE+49

24 HOUR EMERGENCY CONTACTAmbulance: 112, Fire Services: 112, Police: 110

EMBASSY CONTACTSUS: + 49 (0) 30 83 05 0UK: + 49 (0) 30 20 45 70

TIME ZONEGMT + 1 hour

POPULATION3.5 million

RELIGIOUS DEMOGRAPHICBerlin 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 HOLIDAYSThe 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 HOURSNormal 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.

EXCLUSIvE TRANSPORT

Mean temperature (°C)Total rainfall

(mm)Number

of rainy daysMonth Daily minimum

Daily maximum

January -3 2 46 17

February -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

CLIMATE

DIAMOND DRIvEPhone: +49 (0) 30 75 45 56 29/30Email: [email protected]: Grazer Platz 10Website: www.diamonddrive.deDiamond 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.

INTERLINEPhone: +49 (0) 30 20 17 77 0Email: [email protected]: Behrenstrasse 17-20Website: www.interline-berlin.deInterline 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.

Destination GuiDe series - Elite Traveler · 2020. 5. 17. · brands. Address: Wilmersdorfer...

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