The location: In the heart of the historical district in what was East Berlin. Some 12km from Tegel airport, it is spitting distance from Unter Den Linden and the Opera House and surrounded by palaces, neo-classical buildings, cathedrals and elegant squares. Built in 1889 to house the head office of Dresdner Bank.
The check-in: Swift and efficient. A very useful sheet of information handed over listing how to use the room phone etc.
The room: One of the historical suites, expansive in size (55m2) with 20-ft-high ceilings, openable windows to match, all mod cons (flatscreen TV, iPod docking station etc) and deeply stylish furnishings such as dramatic black linen-studded headboard, saddle-stitched leather screen backdrop to the TV/minibar area and chrome standard lamps. Brilliant marble bathroom with high specification fittings such as limestone vanity top and mosaic floors, with robe, slippers, generously-sized toiletries and large walk-in shower. Stick to rooms on 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors if you want high ceilings.
The business: Five hi-tech meeting rooms (wifi, touch-panel controls etc) with natural light; each can sit 40 in theatre style. Also, a spectacular columned Palm Court Ballroom with original mosaic floor – originally the bank’s cashiers hall – with a capacity of 120 to 140 in dining room style, or up to 250 for receptions.
The restaurant: Parioli restaurant seats 120 but it feels like a much smaller, sexy space with private banquets against the wall, a further private dining room and sublime Italian and generally Mediterranean cuisine. Inner courtyard for al fresco dining too, if it’s ever warm enough!
The facilities: Plenty of meeting space, a business centre, 146 guest bedrooms (if your budget stretches go for one of the Historic Suites on the 1st floor, the former wood-pannelled directors' offices), 4th-floor wrap-around terrace, stylish Bebel Bar and basement spa with gym, sauna, steam, gold mosaic-backed 20-metre pool and novelty pedicure and manicure treatment room in the bank’s vault. There's underground parking as well.
The CHECKOUT: Swift, and out of the door in seconds, quite literally.
The verdict: Stunning boutique hotel with Rocco’s sister Olga Polizzi’s unmistakable design stamp, melding neo-classical building with dramatic contemporary interior. Great staff, including English doorman Steve. And great prices because of the over-supply of five-star hotels in the city.
The details: Behrenstrasse 37, D-10117 Berlin. Tel: +49 304606090. Part of Leading Hotels of the World. Tariff states rates from 400 Euros but with 22 deluxe hotels in the city this can easily nosedive to 145 Euros.
See: www.roccofortehotels.com Gillian Upton
