Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin review

Berlin is one of Europe’s most compelling capitals, where history, culture and contemporary life sit side by side with little sense of separation. Grand boulevards give way to cutting-edge galleries, cafés spill out beside world-class museums, and each neighbourhood carries a distinct identity of its own. Standing at the very heart of it all, directly opposite the Brandenburg Gate, the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, one of the city’s best-known historic hotels.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. © Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

Located at the eastern end of Unter den Linden, close to the Reichstag, the Tiergarten and Germany’s political centre, the hotel occupies one of Berlin’s most prominent addresses. Despite the constant movement outside, with tourists, officials and traffic passing through the area, the atmosphere inside is notably calm, composed yet fantastically grand.  Inside, marble floors, chandeliers and traditional detailing define the public spaces, alongside selected artworks, including several pieces by German Impressionist Paul Paeschke, whose work depicts Berlin during an earlier period of change, a wonderful  nod to the original Hotel Adlon, which opened in 1907 on Pariser Platz next to the Brandenburg Gate and quickly became one of Europe’s leading hotels, attracting royalty, politicians, artists and international visitors.

The original building was largely destroyed in 1945 during the Second World War. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1997, restoring the Adlon as one of Berlin’s leading luxury hotels.

Lobby with Elephant fountain, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. © Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

Stay

With a total of 385 elegant rooms and suites, two top-tier restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, and a spacious spa, the hotel meets the highest demands of even the most discerning guests.

Rooms start from well-sized entry-level options (around 35–42m²), featuring marble bathrooms, elegant interiors and modern amenities such as Nespresso machines and flat-screen TVs. Many rooms also offer views over Unter den Linden or the hotel’s courtyard setting. Suites increase significantly in space and comfort, ranging from junior suites with extra living areas to larger signature suites with features such as kitchenettes, dining spaces and panoramic views of landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate. At the top end, the hotel’s largest suites include expansive layouts, private dining rooms, spa-style bathrooms, and services such as butler assistance.

View of Brandenburg Gate from Suite, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. © Gerard Alvarez/ Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

During our stay at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, we were fortunate enough to be staying in one of the hotel’s Brandenburg Gate Suites, with direct views across to the Brandenburg Gate from both the living room and bedroom windows. It has to be said, waking up to one of Berlin’s most recognisable landmarks right outside the window every morning, and seeing the most beautiful summer sunsets, was a genuine highlight of the stay.

The suite itself was spacious and thoughtfully laid out, with separate living, work and sleeping areas that made it feel more like a private apartment than a hotel room. The living room featured a working fireplace, large seating areas, a dining table, desk space, and practical touches including printing facilities.

Präsidenten Suite Bedroom. © Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.jpg

The bedroom featured a vast four-poster bed and led into a generous walk-in dressing room, which proved particularly useful as we were in Berlin for Gallery Weekend, now in its 22nd year and a format that has since set the tone for gallery weekends across Europe. With that in mind, I had arrived with a suitably extensive wardrobe for a packed itinerary of dinners, openings and events across the city.

Pariser Platz Suite, Bath. © Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

The marble bathroom was equally impressive, complete with double sinks, a walk-in shower, bathtub and ample storage space, allowing us to fully unpack and settle in comfortably. Throughout the suite, the personal touches also stood out. Waiting for us on arrival was a personalised welcome tray with pastries, chocolate-covered strawberries, fresh fruit and dried figs, alongside champagne, and a beautifully made chocolate model of the hotel itself, which is also available to purchase in the hotel’s gift shop, where there is a curated selection of Kempinski-inspired gifts and keepsakes.

Personalised welcome tray received upon arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Image credit MTotoe. Courtesy of FLO London.

Eat & Drink 

The hotel offers a mix of casual spaces alongside more formal dining options. The main restaurants are Brasserie Quarré, located right by the Brandenburg Gate, serving French–German brasserie-style dishes such as steaks, fish, salads and classic mains, and Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, offering tasting menus in a more formal setting.There is also the Lobby Lounge & Bar, which operates throughout the day for coffee, cocktails and lighter dishes, as well as Adlon To Go, with coffee, pastries and snacks for guests on the move.

Adlon Terrace at Brandenburg Gate, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. © Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

Breakfast each morning was excellent and easily one of the best hotel breakfasts we have experienced in Berlin. Despite the hotel being fairly busy during our stay, the atmosphere remained calm and relaxed. I was seated in the Lorenz Adlon dining room, where the smaller number of tables creates a quieter setting away from the main breakfast area. And then there’s the view, once again, the Brandenburg Gate was right there in front of me.

Breakfast with a view at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Image credit MTotoe. Courtesy of FLO London

The selection was extensive, including hot items such as sausages, meatballs, and bacon, along with cold cuts, smoked fish, and made-to-order dishes such as omelettes and scrambled eggs. There was also a superb range of cheeses, pastries, breads, yoghurt, granola, dried fruits, and fresh fruit. In addition, champagne, caviar, and strawberries were on offer for those in a celebratory mood. The breakfast team were attentive and efficient throughout. This is absolutely a breakfast not to be missed, and worth saving enough time to fully enjoy. A nice finishing touch was the Adlon To Go bags offered at the end of breakfast, allowing guests to take pastries away with them.

“Daily Dish” room service. Image credit MTotoe. Courtesy of FLO London.

My schedule was packed throughout Gallery Weekend, but the Kempinski’s in-room dining kept me going. I particularly liked the “Daily Dish”, a rotating main with sides, plus water and coffee, simple, but exactly what you want after a long day out in the city.

Do

With the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin being so well positioned in the heart of the city, it’s easy to feel like you could just dip in and out between all the major sights on your doorstep.  You can make the most of the prime location by strolling down to view the sights before the crowds arrive. These early morning moments are a true privilege which set this hotel apart.

Brandenburg Gate in the early morning. Image credit MTotoe. Courtesy of FLO London.

There is plenty to keep guests entertained within the hotel itself. The wellness area is thoughtfully designed, centred around a gym fitted with modern equipment, alongside a pool with whirlpool, sauna, and steam facilities. A cold plunge area is also available for recovery. The spa offering is more extensive, with the Adlon Spa by Resense providing a range of facial and massage treatments. It features several treatment rooms and private spa suites, some with amenities such as jacuzzis, steam showers or saunas, as well as quiet relaxation areas with drinks and lounger

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Pool & Wellness. ©Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

The hotel also has a small selection of on-site shops. Adlon To Go is a casual café offering coffee, sandwiches and cakes with an emphasis on organic ingredients and products from local Berlin makers. Juwelier Leicht specialises in handcrafted jewellery and watches, including bespoke pieces, while Krigler offers luxury, handcrafted fragrances with a long heritage. One of the more recent additions is the Adlon Flower Atelier & Boutique, which sells seasonal floral arrangements alongside curated hotel souvenirs.

Adlon To Go. © Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

Explore 

There are countless things to see across Berlin, and the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is incredibly well positioned for exploring the city. Located right next to Brandenburger Tor station, the hotel has direct access to key U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines, making it easy to move around Berlin quickly.

Museum Island, home to institutions such as the Alte Nationalgalerie, is around a 20-minute walk away, while major contemporary art spaces including Hamburger Bahnhof, Neue Nationalgalerie, Boros Collection, Berlinische Galerie, KW Institute for Contemporary Art and the Helmut Newton Foundation are all easily accessible within minutes by car or public transport.

Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / Foto: Kulturprojekte, Alexander Rentsch

The painted East Side Gallery, one of the most famous surviving sections of the Berlin Wall, can also be reached in around 10 minutes by car or roughly 20 minutes on public transport.

The hotel is perfectly suited as a base during Berlin’s major cultural moments. These include Gallery Weekend Berlin, held annually around April and May, and Berlin Art Week, which typically takes place in September, bringing together exhibitions, fairs, artist talks and private collections across the city. The Berlin International Film Festival, better known as the Berlinale, most recently took place in February 2026 and remains one of the world’s leading film festivals, held annually. Meanwhile, the Berlin Biennale, last staged in 2025, continues its two-year cycle of contemporary art exhibitions and installations across unconventional venues throughout the city, and is expected to return in summer 2027.

With many of Berlin’s leading museums, galleries and transport links close by, the hotel works particularly well during periods when the city’s cultural calendar is at its busiest. What sets it apart, though, is how seamlessly it balances access and escape. You’re minutes from headline exhibitions and events, yet able to retreat into a calm, design-led space that feels intentionally removed from the rush outside. As I experienced first-hand, long days of gallery-hopping and city exploring are followed by genuinely restorative downtime, good dining options, and a sense that everything you need is already taken care of.

Works by German Impressionist Paul Paeschke on show throughout Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Image credit MTotoe. Courtesy of FLO London.

Getting there 

Most international flights arrive at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), from which the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is around a 35 - 45 minute drive depending on traffic, though this can extend closer to an hour at peak times. Taxi and Uber services are readily available from the airport, while the Airport Express (FEX) and S-Bahn trains offer direct public transport connections into central Berlin.

Getting around the city is straightforward thanks to Berlin’s extensive U-Bahn and S-Bahn network. The hotel is located directly next to Brandenburger Tor station, making it especially convenient for reaching museums, galleries and neighbourhoods across Berlin quickly and without needing a car.

Hotel lobby area and iconic elephant fountain. Image credit MTotoe. Courtesy of FLO London.

Price 

Rates at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin vary significantly depending on room category, views, and season. Entry-level rooms typically start from around £240–£320 per night in the low season, while higher-category rooms and suites, particularly those with views of the Brandenburg Gate, can rise substantially during peak periods and major events in the city.

Location

The Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is located at Unter den Linden 77, 10117 Berlin, Germany. 

For more information visit kempinski.com

Review by Maawura Totoe