Luxury Travel Advisor - December 2007 - (Page 22) (49-30-2033-6363) Tip: The hotel is not only pet friendly, but upon arrival, VIDs (that’s very important dogs) receive a customized bed and bowl with a personalized bone. At Hotel de Rome (www.roc cofortecollection.com), a Rocco Forte Hotel, four one-bedroom Historical Suites on the first floor are carved out of the old offices of the bank directors who once worked in the building. They’re unique for their original wood floors, walls and ceilings that date back to 1889. These rooms also boast fantastic views onto Bebelplatz Square, where the Nazis orchestrated their infamous book-burning ceremony in 1933. These four accommodations, the Opera Suite (#104), the Behren Suite (#105), the Humboldt Suite (#109) and the Renaissance Suite (#101), are all in high demand, so be sure to secure early. Rooms on floors 1 through 4 face Bebelplatz Square; for views of Gendarmenmarkt square, opt for a room on the fifth floor. Our guess is that past guests such as Liz Hurley, the Pet Shop Boys, Mario Testino, Simply Red, Matt Damon, Sharon Stone, Carla Bruni, Jude Law and Brad Pitt have enjoyed one of these suites or perhaps the top pick of the house, the one-bedroom Bebel Suite, which also has a living room, dining room and kitchen. General Manager Thies Sponholz (tsponholz@roccofortehotels.com; 49-30-460- 609-1302) keeps a mindful eye on VIP clients. To make special arrangements, however, he suggests contacting his personal assistant, Julia Schweizer (jschweizer@roccofortehotels.com; 49-30-460-609-1302). The six-room spa has an interesting variety of treatments such as the Chocolate & Cherries Jubilee Facial and the Hehi Lani, a “royal” foot treatment. Tip: For one of the best hot stone massage treatments around, request specialist Zoran Ucur. Head Concierge Anne Raber (araber@roccofortehotels.com; 49-30-460-609-1120) can make spa arrangements; she also can set up a private tour of the Reichstag, where Germany’s parliament meets, or arrange for the services Berlin Cathedral, acclaimed as the largest 19-century Protestant church, casts a regal spell over the skyline. of a personal shopper. A top dining pick outside the hotel is the trendy Borchardt on nearby Französische Strasse. The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin (www.ritzcarlton.com) opened in 2004 close to a remaining section of the Berlin Wall. It’s also adjacent to the Sony Center and Leipziger Platz. We hear that Leonardo DiCaprio recently stayed in the hotel’s best quarters, the 2,260-square-foot RitzCarlton Suite, which overlooks Potsdamer Platz, considered one of Europe’s most contemporary urban plazas. The hotel puts an emphasis on its 40 suites. We love the special touch management has made by allocating two rooms to accommodate guests who require rooms free of products and substances that can provoke health-related problems. Guests who opt for one of 37 Club Rooms enjoy access to a special lounge with a fireplace, a dedicated concierge and food service throughout the day. The hotel’s La Prairie Boutique Spa has an indoor swimming pool and five treatment rooms for facials and massage therapies. Contact Spa Manager Barbara Rünzi (barbara.runzi@ ritzcarlton.com; 49-30-33-7776490) to arrange a two-hour Jet Lag Recovery Package, or—for those clients who might be going out on the town—the Changing Room package, which combines head-to-toe body and facial treatments with services that include the steaming and pressing of evening clothes. Tip: The hotel’s location near the city’s Tiergarten means guests have access to top-notch jogging trails. For this reason, the Ritz provides a Joggers Station at its entrance with fresh towels, mineral water, fruit and route maps. 22 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | December 2007 http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.roccofortecollection.com http://www.roccofortecollection.com
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