PRESS KIT THE UNOFFICIAL GUEST HOUSE FOR HEADS OF STATE… 2 ACCOMMODATION 4 PRESIDENTIAL SUITES 5 DINING AT THE ADLON 7 SIGNATURE DISH 11 CELEBRATING AT THE ADLON – EVENTS 12 RELAXING AT THE ADLON 13 THE FLOR-ART-IST 14 THE FAIRY GODMOTHERS – LADIES IN RED 15 TRADITIONAL SERVICE WITH STYLE – THE BUTLER 16 THE MANAGING DIRECTOR 17 THE HISTORY OF THE HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI 18 FAMOUS GUESTS AND ANECDOTES 20 THE ADLON SUMMARY 21 THE UNOFFICIAL GUEST HOUSE FOR HEADS OF STATE… “Adlon oblige!” Lorenz Adlon (1849 – 1921) The sheer fascination that begins upon arrival, with the breath-taking view of the famous Brandenburg Gate – equally impressive by day or by night – gets guests in the mood for a memorable stay at the legendary Hotel Adlon Kempinski. The Hotel Adlon owes its name to its original owner, Lorenz Adlon, who invested 20 million gold marks and two years into the creation of the hotel, which first opened on 23 October, 1907. After burning down in WWII and literally being re-born from the ashes, admittedly with some decades delay, the new Adlon has quickly reclaimed its reputation as Berlin’s most illustrious hotel since its re-opening in 1997. Today, the hotel is once again the gathering place of heads of state, royals, politicians, stars and starlets, intellectuals, artists, designers, entrepreneurs, charming roughs and quirky characters, which ensures that there will never be a dull moment once one enters the magnificent world that is the Adlon. Rebuilt from the original designs of the previous Hotel Adlon, the classic building reflects the grandeur of the ‘Unter den Linden’ boulevard perfectly, where it proudly stands right next to one of Germany’s most historic landmarks - the Brandenburg Gate. 304 spacious rooms and 78 lavish suites, three restaurants (one of which was awarded two Michelin stars), two bars, 15 meeting and event rooms plus the grand ballroom and the Adlon Palais, a fitness centre with an indoor pool and an exquisite Adlon Spa by Resense are just some of the facilities of this grand hotel. The hotel’s location is the most prestigious in the German capital; any major outdoor event in the city will have its start or finish at the Brandenburg Gate and therefore will be at the 2 hotel’s doorstep. It’s in the middle of the governmental and Embassy district as well. Berlin’s most significant sights and monuments are only a stroll away. A comprehensive cultural repertoire, such as the Museum Island and exclusive shopping opportunities, is easily accessible via public transport which is within walking distance. 3 ACCOMMODATION “I want to be alone” Greta Garbo (1905-1990) Guest Rooms & Suites The Adlon houses 304 rooms and 78 suites, some of them overlook the ‘Unter den Linden’ boulevard and the Brandenburg Gate. Spoilt for space, all rooms have at least 35 sqm of floor space. Two rooms for disabled guests are available with an interior and space modified for wheelchairs, in addition to two similarly modelled bathrooms. There are also six unique rooms which offer hypoallergenic pillows and fabrics to accommodate guests with allergies. 40 suites are separately accessible from Behrenstrasse, and feature living and working areas and a kitchenette for long-stay guests. All hotel floors and door borders are made of valuable limestone, while the walls and doors have tasteful mahogany and cherry furnishings. Ezra Attia Associates (London) and AB Living Designs (Sweden) are responsible for the interior design. A heavy focus has been placed on the guest bathrooms; with black granite, pale marble and noble wooden furnishings, they boast vanities, a bathtub and an integrated multifunctional dressing table. One of the technical highlights is the electronic key card system, which simultaneously turns on the lights and air-conditioning when it opens the door. Each room has an extra quiet fax and an individual fax number and offers satellite TV and high-speed Internet access, in addition to wireless-LAN all over the hotel, two telephones with DECT-Systems, including a portable phone. Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) can be used all over the hotel as well. A personal safe, a mini-bar, and variable multipurpose plugs, and PC-access points are part of the standard equipment. Instead of normal switches, the rooms are equipped with easy-to-handle consoles with which the circulation and humidity of the air, and the room temperature can be regulated, and the nightlight for the room and the bathroom can be switched on and off. The consoles are hidden discreetly in the bedside tables. 4 PRESIDENTIAL SUITES Most luxury hotels around the globe have one Presidential Suite, but the Adlon has three – the “Royal Suite”, the “Impérial Suite” and the Presidential Suite “Brandenburger Tor”. All three suites feature five rooms (the Impérial Suite is over 220 sqm in size, while the other two are over 185 sqm), are individually furnished and offer elaborate security features. Additional rooms can be connected to all three suites upon request, taking the Impérial Suite up to a possible 420 sqm of total floor space. The Impérial Suite has been designed in compliance with the latest safety standards and specifications implemented by the German State and Federal Bureaus for Criminal Investigations to make it one of Germany’s safest hotel suites. Two private elevators from the garage lead directly into the suite. The security features, such as the armouring on the main entrance door, are discreetly covered by clever interior design, which includes European furnishings and décor with an occasional touch of Asian accents. The suite comprises of a living room, an office, a conference room, and a bedroom with an adjoining dressing room. Furthermore, there is a lady’s lounge with a four-poster bed, and a second bathroom with a whirlpool bath, a Finnish sauna, and a massage and fitness area. A panic room, an open fireplace, and a butler’s kitchen complete the suite. The Presidential Suites ‘Brandenburger Tor’ and ‘Royal Suite´ both overlook the Brandenburg Gate and the ‘Unter den Linden’ boulevard. They are designed and furnished in the style of a 1920’s luxury apartment. They both include a reception room, two elegantly furnished bedrooms, a spacious living room with an open fireplace, an office, and an elegant bathroom with a sauna, a steam shower, and a Jacuzzi. Additionally, there is a small conference room which can easily be used for board meetings or exclusive dinner parties, a fully equipped kitchen, and an additional guest bathroom. Both suites comply with the highest safety 5 standards. Apart from steel-enforced walls, they feature bullet-resistant windows, their own air-conditioning system, and video surveillance upon request. 6 DINING AT THE ADLON “Hendrik Otto convinces with his very personal style of interpreting classical cuisine in a creative and subtle way. His skills and talent make a perfect overall impression.” Gusto der kulinarische Reiseführer, 2013 Edition Since its opening in 1907, fine dining has always been a key element in the Adlon’s tradition of gracious hospitality. Even Lorenz Adlon, the legendary hotel’s founder, sang the praises of ‘the comforts and pleasures of indulgence’. The Hotel Adlon offers an astonishing choice of high-class culinary venues: Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer Under the motto “tradition eats modern” the Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer presents a perfect mélange of traditional and modern influences. The classic menu is reminiscent of the hotel’s illustrious past, with offerings, such as ‘Adlon-style fillet of sole’ or the famous ‘Canard a la presse’. The European-inspired, imaginative and contemporary creations of the young cooking artist are exciting as well. Success proves him right: under Chef Hendrik Otto the Gourmet restaurant Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer received the much coveted award of culinary excellence for the first time in 2011: two Michelin stars. Additionally, Hendrik Otto has been awarded as “Berlin’s Master-Chef 2012” and “Cook of the year 2013”; in an overall result the seven most-known German restaurant guides officially claimed the Lorenz Adlon Esszimer to be the best restaurant in Berlin. Restaurant Quarré The timeless restaurant Quarré relies on honest craftsmanship focusing on the product. Chef Eyck Zimmer offers both local Brandenburg specialities on his menu, but also national and international classics – always with a modern twist. You’ll find Brandenburg Burrata with cherries, pumpernickel, macadamia, but also German meatballs in caper sauce and Filet of German Färse beef. 7 Zimmer is familiar with an international setting: before moving to Hotel Adlon Kempinski, the 46-year-old was responsible for the direction and design of the cuisine in the restaurant “Skykitchen” in Berlin’s andel’s hotel, which has been awarded one Michelin star. From 2010 to 2014, he was Chef de Cuisine in one of the most renowned private members’ clubs in the world, the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The native of Thuringia spent almost 16 years of his career in England: restaurant Head Chef at The Ritz, Executive Chef at Claridge’s and Chef de Partie at The Dorchester are just a few of the stations of his career in London. A service just like Berlin: dynamic, open-minded, versatile – for restaurant manager Grischa Wolff this is a given, when describing the restaurant’s style. “We aim to reflect Berlin in the service we offer: dynamic, open-minded, down-to-earth. We want to relate to our guests on an equal footing and show them that we are not only part of this multifaceted city because of our unique location at the Brandenburg Gate, but also because of our cuisine and our service,” continues the charismatic restaurant manager. Before moving to Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Grischa who was born in Bielefeld, spent two years in the same position at the Brasserie Desbrosses in the Ritz Carlton Berlin.