The Schlosshotel Grunewald, Berlin, Germany *****
Feb 3rd, 2009 by Håkan
It looks like a Schloss. It feels like a Schloss. I’d say it’s a Schloss!
It feels like a Schloss in the inside as well. Luckily for guests, the staff are friendly rather than formal.
You may book the Grand Kaiser Suite – which with 250 square meters is the largest hotel room in Berlin – or you might just book yourself an ordinary room such as this.
Sleepy? Junge leute, the Schlosshotel Grunewald have got the beds for you, ja.
Bathtub? Check. Shower? Check. Sink? Check? Mahogany panels? Check? Marble? Check.
The Vivaldi restaurant… the Schlosshotel’s in-house centre of culinary hedonism.
This is not a hotel. This is a Schloss!
I don’t exactly go ooh! and aah! over places that pride themselves to be posh, stuffy or classic. And the word ‘Schloss’ is of course German for castle. It may not be a castle but it sure as heck is a gianormous mansion built for a certain Mr. Walther von Pannwitz, a personal advisor to the Kaiser Wilhelm. To expect anything else than massive amounts of gold-leaf, thick carpets and glass chandeliers would be wrong. This is, after all, Germany. Ja, ja… Telefunken. After serving as a casino for British officers after the second world war, the building was in decay until the late 80s until five Berlin families bought it. They decided to bring in a designer with star quality to give their Schloss a complete overhaul.
If you see a white-haired man with sunglasses…
…then it’s probably the man behind the Schlosshotel’s new look: German fashion guru Karl Lagerfeld. His presence is mostly felt on the majestic ground floor, where it’s eight meters from floor to ceiling. Heavy wooden panels meet Arne Jacobsen lamps. “Hunting mansion meets Bordello” as a magazine once described it. Cosy? You bet! The check-in routine deserves a honorable mention. “Please, take a moment to review this form. All correct? Good, now, please follow me!” You’re then whisked to the English styled bar and offered a glass of Champagne. That’s it. No credit card routines. No fuss. When you’ve finished your glass, your luggage is waiting in your room.
Rooms are small, if you’re not staying in Karl’s own suite.
Karl Lagerfeld uses one of the suites as his own when in town, but you’re free to book it. With 250 square meters it’s the largest hotel room in Berlin (I stayed in a slightly smaller room). And most of the 54 rooms are nice and (you guessed it…) cosy. Unlike many Berlin hotels, WiFi and minibar are free. And as you are staying some 15 minutes from Berlin itself, the need for fine dining is met in-house. The Vivaldi restaurant is certainly not cheap but very, very good. Plus: the breakfast in the Le Jardoin is better than most hotels that I’ve stayed in. Sashimi, a monster fruit plate, swift service, an excellent choice of bread and cheese… The management at the Schlosshotel know what makes a traveller happy. The question may not be if you should go to Berlin but if you should book a weekend at the Schlosshotel Grunewald (as it’s not really in Berlin). One of the best. Sehr gut. Ausgezeichnet. Fabelhalt.
The Schlosshotel Grunewald
Brahmsstrasse 10
D 14193 Berlin
Germany
+49-30-895-840
Click here to book the Schlosshotel Grünewald through TabletHotels.com
