Hotel de Rome rooftop bar, Berlin

Berlin and London

01-Aug-08

BERLIN

While classic sights showcase Berlin's history, from the Holocaust Memorial to the Brandenburg Gate, the city has its sights firmly set on the future. Germany's number one city destination ranks among the top three European city destinations after London and Paris, according to the tourism authority, and reports a new tourist record for 2007 - the fifth record in a row. The city now features more than 22 five-star hotels, and clients can choose from up to 1,500 different events per day.

"The positive trend in Berlin tourism is continuing," says Hanns Peter, chief executive of Nerger, Berlin Tourismus Marketing. "The growth is due primarily to international visitors, who are discovering Berlin in ever greater numbers. In particular, Berlin is becoming more popular with British, Italians, Danes and Spaniards. Among Germans, Berlin also remains a popular destination."

To highlight the city's luxury offering, Berlin Exklusiv has launched an association of 13 of the city's luxury hotels organised under the umbrella of Berlin Tourismus Marketing. The initiative presents the top-class offerings in culture and entertainment. Meanwhile, luxury hotels continue to up their game - The Ritz-Carlton apartment opens in October. The hotel's Ritz-Carlton Suite was updated last year following demand for high-level-security suites. It now features bullet-proofed windows and window frames, enforced doors, floor and ceiling, a tap-proof independent telephone system and video control of the entrance.

BERLIN: THE FACTS

What to see
The Scharf-Gerstenberg Museum opened in the Stuler Building, near Charlottenburg Palace, in July. It exhibits more than 250 works by surrealist artists including de Goya, Masson, Redon and Magritte on three floors.

Permanent exhibition KPM WELT takes clients on a 500m tour through the production facilities of the oldest craft enterprise still situated in Berlin: KPM, the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, which Frederick the Great bought in 1763.

Client days out
Madame Tussauds arrived in Berlin in July. Hotel Adlon's weekend package offers exclusive guided tours behind the scenes and a four-course dinner. www.kempinski.com

Shop at the western end of the Kurfurstendamm between Bleibtreustrasse and Olivaer Platz, home to the likes of Burberry, Bulgari, Chanel, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent. Department store KaDeWe celebrated its centenary last year and offers 60,000sqm on eight floors, including a large food department.

Evenings out
Gourmet restaurant Fischers Fritz, housed at The Regent Berlin, picked up its second Michelin star last year. Chef Christian Lohse offers fish and seafood specialities, and a private dining room for up to 15 people is also available. www.fischersfritzberlin.com

Hugos restaurant offers panoramic views and light Mediterranean cuisine. It boasts one Michelin star and 18 Gault Millau points. Guests have the opportunity to take cookery courses with head chef Thomas Kammeier. www.hugos-restaurant.de

Pyronale 2008 (5-6 September) showcases the world's best pyrotechnology. The shows are accompanied by music. www.pyronale.biz

Getting there
Air Berlin flies to Berlin four times a day from London Stansted. www.airberlin.com

Getting around
Buses, trains, trams and taxis are all available.

When to go
Spring and autumn are popular times to visit.

My Berlin - Hanns Peter Nerger, CEO,Berlin Tourismus Marketing

- How many visitors does Berlin get each year?
Around 17.3 million bed nights were registered in 2007 for guests from both Germany and abroad. The German capital draws around 146 million visitors every year.

- Which famous names have visited the city recently?
Every February, Berlin becomes the temporary capital of the film world. This year, Madonna and the Rolling Stones visited the Berlinale, Berlin's international film festival.

- What are Berlin's unique luxury selling points?
Whether it is fashion and design, contemporary art and galleries, or the club and multimedia scenes, Berlin represents the "state of the art" in every respect.
It is the only city in the world with three running opera houses that have a total capacity for 4,411 opera fans. In addition, there are 150 theatres and stage venues for all entertainment genres, more than 175 museums and collections and approximately 300 galleries.
There are also more than 5,500 restaurants, bars, pubs, trattorias and bodegas offering food and drink from all over the world. No other major city can point to 12 Michelin stars and three Chef's Hats 11 times over.

- Where do you recommend for designer shopping?
Whether visitors seek unusual stylish individual pieces, prefer famous designers, or are looking for modern art or antiques, there is nothing you cannot find here. Berlin is also scoring a hit as the first large German city with the most liberal store hours in the entire country.
The new shopping row is formed by the boulevard Unter den Linden and Friedrichstrasse. The centres of interest are the exclusive Friedrichstadtpassagen with Quarters 205 and 206, as well as the Galeries Lafayette in Quarter 207.

WHAT'S NEW IN BERLIN

- Jeffersons offers a private jet package to Berlin from Luton, with champagne and canapes including Beluga caviar on board, limousine transfers and two nights at the Hotel de Rome. www.jeffersons.com

- Hotel de Rome has opened a rooftop bar (pictured), overlooking the Bebelplatz, St Hedwig's Cathederal and the TV tower. www.roccofortecollection.com

- In September, the O2 World venue is due to open near the Ostbahnhof railway station. www.o2world.com

- Tim Raue, 2007 Chef of the Year, opened a restaurant complex at the Adlon Palais in June. Ma Tim Raue mixes Chinese cuisine with regional food, while Uma offers Japanese cuisine. www.ma-restaurants.de

- A cuboid-shaped art gallery opens at the Schlossplatz on 18 October, for two years. www.kunsthalle-berlin.de

BERLIN: BUYER'S CHOICE

Dominic Rossi, Reservations Manager, Kirker Holidays

- Any suite
Brandenburger Hof
Client fit: Those seeking a slightly more traditional style of service and luxury.
Why: This hotel is a favourite with Kirker clients, due in part to its elegant combination of contemporary design and fin de siecle style. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Quadriga, is also a main attraction and has a unique collection of German wines for the connoisseur.
Price: From EUR495 (£394) including breakfast.
Contact: www.brandenburger-hof.com

- Brandenburg Gate Suites
Hotel Adlon Kempinski
Client fit: Romantic couples.
Why: One of the great hotels in Europe, due to its location just by the Brandenburg Gate, it has now been completely refurbished and is perfect for a romantic stay in Berlin. The Adlon has a Michelin-starred restaurant as well as an indoor swimming pool. Its Brandenburg Gate Suites would be the perfect accommodation for a romantic retreat, with their spectacular views of this iconic landmark.
Price: From EUR3,600 (£2,862) inclusive of breakfast and airport transfer.
Contact: www.kempinski.com

- The Bebel/The Historic Suites
Hotel de Rome
Client fit: Couples, and lovers of contemporary design.
Why: Not far from the Brandenburg Gate, the building used to be the headquarters of the Dresdner Bank. The former jewel vault has been transformed into a spa with a 20m indoor swimming pool. The Bebel Suite is for couples who like state-of-the-art luxuries such as a walk-in wardrobe, dressing room and a bespoke kitchen.
Price: From EUR4,100 (3,241) for The Bebel, EUR2,400 (£1,897) for The Historic.
Contact: www.roccofortecollection.com

LONDON

The past few months have provided challenges for travellers to London - not least the well-publicised hiccups overshadowing Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 launch while food and travel costs rise up against the credit crunch - nevertheless, the city undeniably continues to reinvent its luxury travel offering.

"London is one of the world's most popular destinations for luxury travellers," says James Bidwell, chief executive of Visit London. "In the past two years, the main change has been the number of visitors coming from Asia, in particular from India. The markets that have seen the largest increase between 2006 and 2007 are Saudi Arabia and Brazil."

The capital has seen a growing number of spas, while the development of larger suites and catered apartments is proving to be a big pull for international travellers.

The luxury hotel scene continues to provide creative packages and launches to entice new and repeat custom, including The Draycott Hotel and Cotswold House's four-night Town & Country Escape. Kensington's Milestone Hotel, London, has opened the Mistinguett Suite, dedicated to the Paris music-hall star, Sofitel London Heathrow, directly linked to Terminal 5, opened in July, while The Franklin opens in October, with 40 rooms and a spa. Hoteliers are also looking ahead to the 2012 Olympics. Von Essen plans to launch its first new-build hotel in Battersea in June 2009 as part of the Metropolitan collection, while Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is due to open in 2010.

LONDON: THE FACTS

What to see
The Imperial War Museum London's 'For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond' exhibition is a must for would-be spies. Both The Ritz and Brown's Hotel are celebrating with special packages including tickets. www.iwm.org.uk
The Hayward launches the 'Andy Warhol: other voices, other rooms' exhibition on 8 October. It run until 18 January 2009 and shows works from the 1950s through to the 1980s. www.haywardgallery.org.uk

Client days out
To help clients face the day ahead, 51 Buckingham Gate's Spa at Fifty-One offers the 3.5-hour Sodashi Jet Lag Recovery Programme, including a recovery kit, body mask, facial and lunch. www.51-buckinghamgate.com
Foodies can indulge in cookery classes with Moti Mahal's head chef Anirudh Arora, followed by a three-course lunch and wine tasting. www.motimahal-uk.com
Try the Laduree Tea at The Athenaeum, fusing the traditional English and French rituals with finger-sandwiches, toasted crumpets, scones, rose champagne and macaroons.

Evenings out
Following its initial hugely acclaimed, sellout run, War Horse returns to the National's Olivier Theatre in September, and is suitable for 12-year-olds and above. www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
The Gore Hotel hosts a Burlesque Soiree on 19 September. www.gorehotel.com

Getting there
Air and rail choices now include Heathrow's T5 and Eurostar's St Pancras terminal. Eurostar increased its London to Paris trains to 18 per day. Clients can take private trains or carriages from London to anywhere in the UK or Europe. www.trainchartering.com

Getting around
Check for maintenance-related closures on the underground at weekends. Taxis are readily available.

When to go
London's weather is fickle, but expect around 6 degsC in the winter, and around 20 degsC in the summer.

My London - James Bidwell, chief executive, visit london

- How many visitors does London get each year, and from which regions?
In 2007, there were more than 25 million visitors. The largest number of overseas travellers are from the US, followed by France, Germany and Spain.

- Which rich and famous names have visited the city recently?
Christian Slater, Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman and Jeff Goldblum have all walked the boards in London's West End while Mariah Carey and Prince have come to the city to promote new albums. Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss all have homes in the city.

- What are London's USPs for luxury travellers?
There really is something for everyone. From top-quality hotels to gorgeous little boutiques, and the best of British cuisine to food from around the world, as well as an array of entertainment to suit every taste. The river and landscape give London a lot of character, and it's a great way to see how history blends easily with the city's modern aspects.

- Where are the best restaurants?
London has 46 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the only Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in Europe.

- Where do you recommend for designer shopping?
The capital's top department stores such as Harrods or Selfridges. Visitors can shop for food in style with a visit to Fortnum & Mason or Harvey Nichols. For a truly unique shopping experience, the Burlington Arcade in Mayfair is home to some traditional independent shops.

WHAT'S NEW IN LONDON

- St James's Hotel and Club opens in September after extensive renovation. www.stjameshotelandclub.com

- Agents can book The British Pullman Orient Express through the Luxury Train Club. www.luxurytrainclub.com

- Brown's Hotel is launching bespoke services such as personal shoppers. www.brownshotel.com

- The May Fair, official hotel of London Fashion Week, has express spa treatments to soothe fashion fatigue. www.themayfairhotel.co.uk

- Dukes Hotel, in St James's Place, celebrates its own and Ian Fleming's birth centenary this year with the Bond about Town package. www.dukeshotel.com

- Clients can view exclusive artworks from The Kings Road Art Gallery while enjoying art-themed treats at The Cadogan Hotel's Afternoon ARTea. www.cadogan.com

- The Savoy closed in December 2007 for a 16-month, £100m-plus renovation.

BUYER'S CHOICE

Andrew Stevens, Director, Luxury Vacations UK

- The Conservatory Suites
The Halkin, Belgravia
Client fit: Young professional couples, perhaps combining business with pleasure. The business facilities at the hotel are excellent.
Why: A contemporary modern hotel in a great location close to Knightsbridge. It has a really intimate feel, with only 41 rooms. The suites, named because of the large windows which flood the room with sunlight, are located on the third and fourth floors and offer fantastic views. The experience is complemented with dinner at Nahm, the first Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in Europe. We loved the CD jukebox with a huge choice of music.
Price: From £850 per night.
Contact: www.halkin.como.bz

- Any apartment
The Milestone Hotel & Apartments, Knightsbridge
Client fit: Families.
Why: Perfect for families looking for the flexibility of staying in an apartment, but with all the facilities of a five-star hotel. The two-bedroomed apartments are traditionally decorated and furnished but with modern facilities. Ideal for an extended stay in London.
Price: From £3,493 plus VAT for seven nights.
Contact: www.milestonehotel.com

- The Linley Suites
Claridges, Mayfair
Client fit: VIPs.
Why: For those looking for luxury, glamour and impeccable service. We loved the hotel's Art Deco style and decor, particularly these one-bedroomed suites, designed by British furniture and design company Linley. Early-evening cocktails in the bar are an absolute must.
Price: From £1,680.
Contact: www.claridges.co.uk.