"The Adlon Kempinski enjoys an exceptional location next to the Brandenburg Gate, with views of Unter den Linden. However, arriving by car can be quite complicated. Following Google Maps took us to the rear entrance rather than the main entrance, where access requires a room card or waiting for someone to open the doors. The surrounding roads are also confusing, with the main street ending in a U-turn by the Brandenburg Gate and the side street behind the hotel closed due to the adjacent British Embassy.
Temporary parking is available for bag drop off at the back, but the hotel’s on-site parking is extremely expensive, with an additional city charge applied to the room.
Check-in was disappointing, with long queues and a very busy reception area, leaving numerous guests waiting. Fortunately, a particularly helpful lady in red came to our rescue. Despite arriving at 2 pm, our room was not ready. We left our luggage with the bell staff, only for one bag to go missing, which was an unfortunate start to our stay.
Our room (422&424) was comfortable, with traditional wood panelling, carpeting and classic old-world décor. The views were a highlight, with Unter den Linden directly below and the Brandenburg Gate visible to the left from the window. The room featured a red upholstered headboard, a writing desk with a magazine shelf behind it, a drinks cabinet and a central wardrobe with the television mounted above it. The bathroom had a bathtub and a separate, rather small shower.
The spa is one of the hotel’s highlights and is complimentary for resident guests, although it is a textile-free facility. It features a swimming pool, gym, Turkish steam room, Finnish sauna and a less intensely heated sauna, as well as an excellent cold plunge pool. The relaxation area is particularly impressive, offering a peaceful environment away from the busy hotel.
The swimming pool is relatively small and can become quite noisy when people are swimming, but it is perfectly functional. The gym is spacious and well equipped for general workouts, with two cross-trainers, two treadmills and a selection of weight machines. However, the free-weight section could be improved, particularly with only one weight bench available.
Breakfast was excellent, with a generous buffet featuring smoked salmon, caviar, German specialities such as herring and a variety of German style salads. There was also an egg station serving reasonably good omelettes, alongside other egg dishes. The sausages were a particularly nice touch, as was the availability of champagne rather than just Sekt or Prosecco.
We particularly enjoyed breakfast in the overflow area of the Quarré restaurant, which was quieter when we arrived shortly after it opened at 8:30 am. The main breakfast area on the first floor was considerably busier and noisier, with difficulty finding a table. I would therefore recommend requesting the quieter overflow seating.
The second morning, we had breakfast on the first floor area which was busy, but fortunately we were moved from the main restaurant to a overflow rooms. These beautifully panelled rooms feature impressive frescoes depicting different periods of German history, with lovely views of Unter den Linden and the Brandenburg Gate. The food selection was broadly similar to that offered elsewhere, but the more intimate surroundings made for a much more enjoyable experience. There is also outdoor seating above the ground-floor lounge, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant within the hotel.
Check-out itself was quick, but the luggage arrangements were once again problematic. We waited approximately 15 minutes for our bags to be located and brought to the rear entrance. The staff member originally assigned to bring them to our taxi had finished her shift, and another member of staff eventually delivered them, making the process unnecessarily stressful.
Overall,impressive grand hotel with an unbeatable location, elegant rooms, an excellent spa and a very good breakfast however the bag issues at the start and end makes it a less than perfect stay."
