Pulling up in tree-lined Eislebener Strasse outside the Brandenburger Hof is a delight. In summer, avocado-cushioned benches provide a prelude to the chic home-style comforts inside the stuccoed façade of this genuine urban family palace. Left to crumble in the Bauhaus style and then rescued by a sympathetic family of property developers, the boutique hotel is a rare gem run by a woman who once ran Relais Châteaux in Germany. The revamped independent boutique hotel focuses on providing a ‘feel at home’ environment, finished with top notch service.
The facilities
The ground floor is devoted entirely to guest comfort with cosy public spaces set around a Japanese-style winter garden. There’s a library, wine-salon and four ‘Berliner Salons’ outfitted with an eclectic selection of contemporary pieces saluting a traditional past. Clearly, the owner of this house has an appreciative eye for a Frank Lloyd Wright chair, Philippe Starck lamps, Missoni textiles, Chinoisiere wallpaper, Art Deco cutlery, Swarovski crystal chandeliers and the bold forms of Bauhaus chairs and lighting.
Service at the Brandenburger Hof is second to none and is a luxurious accompaniment to a few days of fabulous food and intriguing culture. With Berlin’s relatively contemporary history staged mostly in the 20th century, the extremely helpful concierge can help plan day-trips to galleries, museums, lakes, palaces and memorials. In the evening, the hotel focuses guests on its award-winning cuisine (1 Michelin star, 16 Gault Millet points and a plethora of German awards). Dine in, then be coiffured and made up at the beauty salon, then let the limo whisk you away to the Opera.
The focus at the elegant Brandenburger Hof is strictly on food and on experiencing German culture. Don’t come expecting a day spa, a simple meal or an easy wine. Do bring a curious palette hankering for a fine German wine (the cellar stocks about 850 bottles of the country's best), an appetite for Mediterranean-flavoured local gastronomy and an expectation of the sort of finely tuned service which seems to be there when you need and not when you don’t.
The rooms
For sleeping, stretch to a demi-suite with a hide-away plasma TV, courtyard views and the luxury of a separate bathroom and toilet. Even better are the Opera-themed, sunlight-saturated suites with ample space and excellent luggage storage. If you must settle for a double room, ask for a city view overlooking the tree-lined street. They are of a better shape than the courtyard view rooms and with the view of the neighbouring classic homes enforce the atmosphere of a home away from home.
Hotel hotlists
“A luxe boutique hotel combining sleek Bauhaus style and designer touches from Stark and Missoni with a warm, homely atmosphere.”
