Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Ideally located to explore the most modern district of Germany's capital city, the Ritz-Carlton Berlin has established itself at the heart of Potsdamer Platz. An elegant first class hotel, it is just a stone's throw away from the city centre. Its hushed atmosphere is sure to please vacationing couples as well as business travellers.
Ritz Carlton - © EASYVOYAGE
Ritz Carlton - © EASYVOYAGE
The hotel stands on Potsdamer Platz next to the Sony Centre skyscraper with its fascinating architecture. Only a short distance from the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and other monuments, the Ritz Carlton benefits from the proximity of an efficient transport system (underground line U2 Potsdamer Platz and suburban S1 and S2). It is close to Potsdamer Bahnhof, built on the remains of Berlin's oldest railway station (1838). The main station (Alexander Platz) is a 10 minute drive away, or just 6 underground stations away from the hotel (U2 line, direction Pankov). Several of Berlin's major attractions are accessible on foot: the Opera, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the New National Gallery, and Charlottenburg Palace. Shopping addicts will love Potsdamer Platz Arkaden (Arcades), with 50 shops open every day, and Friedrichstrasse (Friedrich Street) with its boutiques.
Despite the building's modern style - it was built in 2004 - the interior offers everything that frequent visitors of Ritz Carlton establishments are accustomed to. Two automatic doors (careful of the draught!) open onto a highly refined entrance hall that boasts an abundant use of marble, huge carpets, a massive stairway, a baby grand piano, fireplaces, and window displays of products by prestigious brands... Everything is right here! There are also 2 armchairs in which guests recline while their shoes are being polished; a first class treatment! If you enjoyed the entrance hall, you'll be enthralled by the splendid La Prairie spa centre. It is a high tech well-being centre where guests can exercise (small fitness room, large swimming pool under a star-filled sky) or relax (jacuzzi, deckchairs, 4 massage rooms, 2 beauty parlours, a sauna, and Turkish baths). Another feature of the Ritz Carlton is the fact that it provides 5 computers in its large business centre.
The hotel opened in 2004 and offers 303 accommodation units that come in 6 categories and occupy 11 floors: superior, executive, deluxe, big suite, suite with a view, and presidential suite. Some of the rooms are among the biggest and most expensive in the city. Prices for a night range from £340 to £6,000 and can reach an astronomical £13,000 for the suites. The hotel's interior is designed by Peter Silling (from Cologne) whereas the furniture is inspired by the German imperial style. In fact, the entire hotel is a tribute to this style: parquet floors in the entrance and wall-to-wall carpet in the rooms, ancient paintings, green bedspreads, chests and furniture made of rare wood... As for the amenities, you can't get any closer to perfection: large twin beds or single king size bed, phone, individual air conditioning, Internet connection, plasma screen TV, DVD player, minibar, safe, trouser press, umbrella, bathrobes, slippers, courtesy bottle of water, and control panel in the bedside table. You can close the curtains without getting out of bed! The bathroom is an attraction unto itself: heated floor, shower and bathtub, double sink, set of scales, and hospitality products by the prestigious Bulgari brand.
If you want the best view, request a room on the upper floors looking out over Potsdamer Platz: the Sony centre lights up in blue at night, creating a very special atmosphere.
The 2 top floors of the hotel are reserved for guests staying in the Executive suites: they include free snacks and drinks, a concierge service, and free Internet access.
As far as the cuisine is concerned, the Ritz Carlton has banked on French gastronomy. The Desbrosses brasserie doesn't yet boast a Michelin star but it can be proud of its menu and its prices: starters (salads, soups), local specialities (flammekueche), international dishes (steak and fries) starting at £13, seafood for £24, barbecues for £16... It can also be proud of its double purpose: half brasserie, half bakery! You can even buy some typically French products here: olive oil, vinegar, tomato juice, etc. The establishment serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and brunch from noon till 3:00pm on Sundays in a very French setting. The hotel's management had all the furniture imported from an authentic 19th century brasserie. Other well kept secrets of the hotel include the tea lounge (where tea is served true to custom from 2:00pm till 6:00pm) and the dark Curtain Club.
Despite the establishment's young age, the restaurant and the lobby of the Ritz Carlton were completely renovated in 2007. The hotel also took advantage of the opportunity to have air conditioning installed.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, hammam, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath, wellness
tennis, gym, mountain bike, fitness, sports
Sarah M.
Très bel hôtel et belle vue côté chambre . Personnel très accueillant
Chambre restauration
Petit déjeuner pas toujours diversifié
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