USD
Boundless Space Meets Classic Luxury at InterContinental Berlin
Written by Nate Robinson
An unwavering commitment to excellent and spectacular pool, sauna and spa facilities set InterContinental Berlin apart.
The InterContinental Berlin has seen countless famous guests pass beneath its checkerboard facade – including US Presidents, film director Alfred Hitchcock and the thrilling Michael Jackson – but retains the timeless hospitality and warm service that originally set it apart upon opening in 1978. Family-friendly sensibilities, strong dining options and one of the best spas in the city firmly position it as one of Berlin’s best five-star stays.
What’s the neighbourhood like?
InterContinental Berlin backs onto one of the city’s most dramatic green spaces, the mammoth Tiergarten – Berlin’s answer to New York City’s Central Park – and is a two-minute walk from the historic Berlin Zoological Garden.
The abundance of greenery makes exploring western Berlin a true delight. Wander down tree-lined paths and past rolling green lawns (and jolly beer gardens) to find yourself in Potsdamer Platz, the city’s urban heart, or in nearby central Mitte, home to iconic sights like Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
The hotel’s immediate surrounding area, Breitscheidplatz, is also well worth exploring: it connects directly to the city’s legendary Kurfürstendamm shopping avenue and is packed with restaurants, upscale shopping malls and modern galleries (including the Helmut Newton Foundation and C/O Berlin).
The nearest train station hub, Berlin Zoologischer Garten, is a 10-minute walk away and direct connections to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) make arrivals and departures a breeze; the trip takes approximately 45 minutes one-way.
Where am I sleeping?
Upon stepping into my Premium Room (from A$312), my first feeling is of smug satisfaction. I was so impressed with the space I erroneously believed the hotel had upgraded me.
Though a respectable 42m2 in size, the newly renovated room feels enormous – a dividing wall between the living/sleeping area and a massive ensuite bathroom lend it the home-away-from-home feeling of a suite. Bright, German expressionist-inspired art hangs on the walls, and two massive windows allow plenty of sunlight and sweeping views over Berlin Zoological Garden. I can almost hear the giant pandas munching their bamboo.
It’s in this room that I realise that InterContinental Berlin’s motto, ‘the luxury of space’, is more than a catchy slogan: a massive wardrobe for my clothes, a small work desk (again with those gorgeous park views) and a generously-sized bath and separate rain shower make it easy to spread out. Each of the hotel’s 558 rooms can be interconnected for groups, and a sofa bed is a good option for families travelling with young children.
InterContinental guests receive complimentary use of the TimeShifer jet-lag app, which after a long flight from Melbourne is a nice touch.
What’s on the menu?
While I was there, InterContinental Berlin’s regular buffet breakfast venue, L.A. Cafe, was closed for renovations. The hotel adapted with fuss-less efficiency, hosting guests in the ground-floor Potsdam Ballroom. The staff were careful to ensure there were enough table configurations for every type of traveller, from solo travellers to inter-generational families (including a designated kids’ play area). At one point – just as I thought the ballroom may be approaching capacity – they immediately opened a second, connecting ballroom, with an entire second buffet. The whole process took less than 10 minutes.
Breakfast itself was excellent, with plenty of cereal and fresh fruit, several live egg-cooking stations, a sparkling wine bar, charcuterie, coffee service and the most extensive bread station I’ve ever seen. It was here I learned to love the brötchen, a crusty bread roll best enjoyed with butter and cold cuts (both in abundance).
InterContinental Berlin has two other dining venues, including the acclaimed house of modern French cuisine Hugos, located on the hotel’s 14th floor. A holder of a Michelin star since 1999, Hugos is a legend in Berlin’s fine dining scene – booking your table ahead of your arrival in the city.
Don’t sleep on the hotel’s more relaxed lobby restaurant, Marlene, named in honour of beloved Berlin actress Merlene Dietrich. The menu ranges from restaurant classics (cheeseburgers and Caesar salads) to Europe’s all-star favourites (veal schnitzels served with a light potato salad and filet mignon). I especially enjoyed the crème brulée, served in a seductively wide bowl, flambéd to perfection and generously heaped with lingonberries, ice cream and preserved peaches.
And how about drinks?
Marlene is also home to a newly renovated long bar, and while the cocktail menu sticks closely to the classics – their take on my own nostalgic favourite, the gin fizz, felt like it sent me hurtling back to a simpler time – the attentive bar staff took every request in their stride. It’s a comfortable place to enjoy a quiet cocktail, and I often found myself there between evening adventures.
With a spectacular backdrop of the Berlin cityscape and an extensive wine list, Hugos also makes for a wonderful place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail.
What are the facilities like?
Such is the reputation of InterContinental Berlin’s sauna, spa and pool that I’d heard rave reviews about the facilities even before I’d even arrived. At over 1,000m2, it’s the largest wellness centre in Berlin, and the hotel charges guests extra for access (EUR10 per day for pool access; EUR20 for combined pool and sauna; use by Club InterContinental guests is complimentary). It lives up to the hype: sprawling across the eastern side of the building, the alpine-inspired spa area includes a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a massive pool and soothing whirlpool and a leafy sun terrace that backs so subtly onto the Tiergarten beyond that originally I thought it was the garden itself. Befitting the destination, there’s also a fantastic sauna, multiple spa treatment rooms and a poolside bar.
The hotel’s club floor includes 70 rooms and suites and offers access to the newly renovated Club InterContinental lounge. Perks include daily breakfast, afternoon tea, canapes and refreshments, plus plenty of quiet, well-connected space for work or leisure. InterContinental Berlin boasts a tremendous 55 meeting rooms, several of which can be accessed directly from the Club InterContinental lounge – reservation is complimentary for Club guests, a nice touch for those travelling for work.
What sets InterContinental Berlin apart?
The spa and pool facilities deserve the acclaim – they surpass anything else I saw in my time in Berlin. The hotel’s warm, accommodating and efficient service is just as remarkable, and it was made continuously clear to me throughout my stay that whatever I needed, they’d be there to help.
This applied to every other guest in the building, from my bar-mate who wanted an espresso martini at 11.30pm to families trying to find the nearest train station. With 558 rooms, this is a tremendous feat in itself.
Who will love InterContinental Berlin?
While it’s true that you can’t please everyone, it’s hard to imagine who wouldn’t be impressed by InterContinental Berlin’s oodles of space, lightning-fast service and exceptional pool area. Families are by far best accommodated here – the location alone makes it the perfect spot for a family-friendly Berlin escape – but business and solo travellers will also find themselves well-accommodated, with a spacious Club Lounge and excellent dining options.
The writer was a guest of the hotel.
