Germany has always been a country that held great interest for me but somehow I never made it there; so an opportunity to visit Berlin and a stay at Regent Berlin represented a big fat tick off the bucket list. The timing was perfect too, with the hotel all dressed up for the festive season and the nearby Christmas Markets in full swing.
The entrance to the Regent Berlin is suitably grand for one of the most luxurious hotels in the city and the marble foyer was taken up by a huge fluffy Christmas tree. With chandeliers dripping from the ceiling, huge paintings framed in gold and silk wrapping the chairs, the hotel has that classic old-fashioned elegance that is both beautiful but still homely.
With giant gold baubles and a mulled wine cart, the hotel has truly bought the festivities to life within its walls.
Also fully clad in marble with gold trimmings, the reception desk is equally opulent and grand, a fine introduction to a stay at such a grand hotel.
My deluxe room had the same classic elegance that I’d already seen downstairs and was very spacious for an entry-level room in a city hotel. I could also see the high level of quality in the fittings such as the beautifully made wooden head boards, classic Beidermeier furniture and luxurious fabrics.
In particular I loved the large antique writing desk which was beautifully designed but also useful with multi-national plug sockets.
I did feel that the room could have been slightly lifted with a little more colour but the view of the Gendarmenmarkt gave me the sense of place that I always look for in a luxury hotel. The location is perfect as other popular sights such as The Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Opera House, as well as lots of shopping and museums are only a stone’s throw away.
Also feeling hungry from travelling it wasn’t long before I dug into the welcome amenities and I was particularly excited to see traditional German gingerbread for me to nibble on.
The best bit of the room was the stunning bathroom, with its huge shower and bath.
The Regent Berlin though luxurious it is still subtle and despite the abundance of marble fittings, it never felt over the top or garish.
There’s plenty of places to have a bite to eat or drink at the Regent Berlin. The warm red tones of the Tea & Lobby Lounge and the open fireplace make it one of the cosiest places in the hotel to order a drink and just pass away the day. The hotel even has a resident certified Tea Master Gold and Roland Pröh can offer a wealth on advice on what tea to choose whilst providing the history and how to drink it. The hotel serves 40 different types of tea, so just as well there’s someone there to guide you!
Another place for afternoon tea is the hotel’s Regent Bar and with caramel-coloured soft leather sofas, plenty of dark wood and a collection of rare whiskies and cognacs, this space feels a little like a gentleman’s club. It was at this point that I was introduced to my companions of this press trip; Simon and Mario from GQ SuperTramp , fashion bloggers Petar from Milan and Livia from Frankfurt, Patrick, a London lifestyle journalist and Monique and Marcus De Caro who write a blog focussing on honeymoons and romantic travel.
They take afternoon tea pretty seriously at Regent Berlin and with a glass of Veuve Cliquot poured, we were presented with our gorgeous tea tower.
A mixture of classic sandwiches, generously piled high.
Huge warm fluffy scones.
And plenty of fresh pastries based on the idea of a quintessential British afternoon tea. The bar is also famous for its martinis, prepared entirely bespoke at your table from the martini trolley and presented in hand crafted glasses.
Finally the jewel in the crown of Regent Berlin is their main restaurant, two Michelin star Fischers Fritz. The restaurant is highly regarded as one of the top restaurants in Berlin and is also famous for its Kitchen Table experience which allows diners exclusive access to viewing the central pass. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to sample the French-inspired menu from Chef Christian Lohse. The chef has worked in renowned kitchens such as the Guy Savoy in Paris and the Dorchester in London where he was personal chef to the Sultan of Brunei. However, I did get to experience breakfast in the hallowed dining room.
In keeping with the rest of the hotel, the ceiling drips with crystal chandeliers, a fire-place adds a warming heart to the rooms and the walls are lined with light woods and artwork.
An elegant buffet marks the focal point of the room but there’s a perfectly formed à la carte menu too.
A silver tower of smoked meat, cheeses and preserves as well as a basket brimming with bread is bought to the table as standard.
And you can also order hearty plates of waffles and pancakes, omelettes, eggs Benedict or a smoked salmon and champagne breakfast. It really is something rather special.
A stay at the Regent Berlin really captures the old world glamour that I’d hoped for on a festive trip to the German capital. A place of timeless elegance, great service and a perfect location.
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Regent Berlin
Charlottenstraβe 49
10117 Berlin
Germany
I was a guest of Regent Berlin and Visit Berlin for the purposes of this review.