Discover old-world glamour at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

Inspired by the elegant architecture of 1920s American skyscrapers, The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin harmoniously combines classical style elements with modern design.

The contemporary grand hotel is centrally located in Berlin-Mitte at the historic ‘Potsdamer Platz’ with pieces of the famous Berlin Wall at the doorstep. It offers guests a taste of Berlin’s ‘golden years’. Attention to detail, first-class service and a warm, welcoming atmosphere make it the perfect place to explore all the German capital has to offer.

The facts

Traveller: Nadja Warner
Room: Deluxe Room Twin
Address: Potsdamer Platz 3, 10785 Berlin
Date: May 2024
Best for: Travellers who appreciate elegant design, historic touches and first-class service in a central location near the top sights of Berlin.
Where to find The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin: Potsdamer Platz 3, 10785 Berlin
Subway station: Potsdamer Platz – Easy to reach via the underground train from the main central train station or the central bus station, 25 km from Berlin-Brandenburg airport. Limousine service upon request.

The Signature factor

Every evening at 6 pm, house guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin are treated to a very special show in ‘The Lounge’ that takes you back in time. A lady dressed in black with a purple top hat magically converts a stunning, mirrored art installation of the sun into the image of the full moon while her colleague pops the cork of a champagne bottle – which she promptly catches in her hat. The prepared champagne glass pyramid is filled with tasty bubbles and distributed to the sounds of Puttin’ on the Ritz played by a gramophone imitation – a perfect start to a night out in Berlin!

The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin concept

In the 1920s, Berlin brimmed with creativity and lavishness as a result of its booming film and cabaret industries. Today, The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin has recaptured the essence of this era. The hotel has more than 303 rooms in various categories and is a modern tribute to Art Deco design and reflects Berlin’s ever-changing cultural landscape. In the Berlin-Mitte neighbourhood, set on Potsdamer Platz, The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin is a gateway into the city’s past and a reflection of its present. Outside, hotel guests are faced with remnants of the Berlin Wall. Inside, the city’s golden age unfolds with Art Deco décor and references to the film era.

First impressions

As we‘re greeted like old friends by the cheerful porter offering a bottle of water, our gaze follows the lines of a magnificent marble staircase dominating the light, modern lobby and comes to rest at the ceiling, admiring the sparkling crystal chandeliers in gold and chrome.
“The lights symbolise the annual frenzy of camera flashes at the Berlinale film festival” explains the friendly reception staff while handing us a glass of champagne before we even have approached the check-in desk. Hints to the Art Deco style of the golden twenties are subtle but everywhere, making guests want to linger in the lobby, sipping champagne under the watchful eye of Marlene Dietrich’s portrait over the black and grey marble fireplace.

The room

The warm beige and brown tones are accented with wood panels and deep purple bedheads, making our deluxe room at The Ritz-Calton, Berlin feel welcoming and homely. It has a very long entrance hallway before opening into a 40sqm bedroom with an elegant writing desk and a small seating corner. The twin beds are placed a good distance apart and separated by a sleek bedside table with a beautiful art deco lamp. The marble bathroom has an oversized tub, separate shower and toilet with plenty of space and all the luxurious necessities one would expect.

Highlights from the mini-bar

The famous German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich is said to have loved Berlin so much that she always left a suitcase in the capital. The mini bar itself is designed to resemble a suitcase in memory of the roaring twenties film diva. It also includes a complimentary ‘Berliner Fassbrause’ which is a traditional keg soda consisting of malt and herb extracts still made according to the original 1908 recipe. Another lovely hint to city’s past is a gift bag full of ‘Berliner Mäuse’ – small, hand-decorated marshmallow mice manufactured by the same family business since 1921. You can really taste history before leaving the comforts of your room.

Top suite

Spanning 285 sqm on the 12th floor, The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin penthouse is the hotel’s largest and most lavishly appointed suite, presenting an elegant expression of luxury and panoramic views over Berlin. Thoughtfully curated down to the smallest detail, it features three bedrooms, a bathroom, a spacious living area with its own library, and a fully equipped kitchen, plus a large walk-in closet and built-in fitness station. Royal Suite guests have access to the executive Club Lounge with complimentary food and beverages, a dedicated concierge service and use of an executive board room.

Dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

Sustainable, regional, and seasonal is the culinary theme at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin. The main restaurant, POTS, serves up classic German cuisine with a modern twist. The fish, meat and cheese are sourced from regional suppliers who work with organic fertilising methods and practice humane animal husbandry. I loved that the breakfast buffet at POTS included a substantial and varied selection of vegan options. For lunch on the sunny outdoor terrace, we opted for white asparagus soup and fjord trout – a seasonal delicacy cooked to perfection with simple but delicious ingredients. The waiter was not familiar with our wish for an affogato, but duly recreated the dessert according to our instructions and served it with the brightest smile.

I wish I could take home…

The porter Esezi – never mind that he wouldn’t leave his post after greeting guests ar The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin for over 20 years! You can rock up in an old Renault and he treats you as if you have just stepped out of a shiny, brand-new Porsche or Ferrari. I have never felt more welcomed in a city hotel – his genuine smile, warmth and attention would be reason enough to return. For now, the memory will have to do: a photo with Esezi and the Berlin bear mascot.

Sustainability

The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin is certified with the ‘Green Key’ eco-label which honours its extended sustainability initiatives. The hotel minimises its environmental footprint by sustainably managing energy and water use, reducing waste and carbon emissions, and increasing the use of renewable energy. They are committed to integrate leading environmental and social practices into their supply chain and collaborate with like-minded suppliers.

Staying in

After a busy day out in town, the wellness area with stunning marble wall inlays is a calming and soothing place to relax. It features a decent-sized gym, showers, comfortable change rooms and two very generously sized saunas (steam and dry). The sparkling blue pool with waterfall and massage jets is beautiful but would feel crowded with more than four people in it, hence I felt very lucky to have it to myself.

For families travelling with small children, The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin offers a Ritz-Kids ‘Cozy Corner’, where the wonderful team provides all kinds of fun entertainment for little guests while their parents can enjoy well deserved me time at the Curtain Club. Here, you can literally taste the renaissance of a golden age with authentic drinks inspired by the 1920s. Need inspiration to choose the perfect drink? Check out the QR codes on the extensive menu and watch mini videos of Curtain Club staff dressed in roaring twenties outfits preparing delicious cocktails while listening to tunes on the small bar stage. The team also hosts the separate Cigar Club where guests can pick from more than 20 handmade cigar varieties, changing in regular intervals, in a walk-in humidor.

Furthermore, the luxury hotel welcomes four-legged friends with dog beds in various sizes, bowls, treats, wet wipes and even a cuddly plush lion as gift. In the Pawfect Concierge, the Ritz team has compiled a handy dog guide for Berlin. With the leafy Tiergarten Park just a few steps away, The Ritz-Carlton, Berline will make a city stay with your dog a breeze.

Things to do while staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

Celebrating 35 years since the fall of the wall in 2024, no visit to the German capital is complete without pondering this historic event in some shape or form. Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz, which has been redeveloped as the new centre of the city, is dominated by modern architecture with glass and grey steel. It leaves the pieces of the original Berlin Wall looking rather cheerful covered in colourful graffiti. However, sombre marks on the pavement show how this wall has cut right through the heart of the city, eventually leading you to the famous Brandenburg Gate, once a landmark of division during the Cold War but now a symbol of peace and unity. The knowledgeable Ritz concierge team has plenty of insider tips to explore sights, culture and shopping within a short walking distance plus the handy S-trains or cheerful yellow underground trains right at the doorstep will whisk visitors to all parts of Berlin in no time. I recommend getting the handy Berlin Welcome Card which includes free public transport, huge discounts to attractions and a city map.

The accolades

Green Key Award, Connosseur Circle, Der Feinschmecker, Falstaff „Zwei Gabeln“ for POTS restaurant, Germany‘s Leading Luxury Hotel, Gutso “7 Pfannen”, Wine Spectator

Insider’s tips

A visit to the Secret Champagne Garden is a true highlight and the word ‘secret’ is not just a marketing ploy. You would not be able to find this enticing green oasis without the help of staff. The entrance through a dark green corridor is hidden in plain sight along regular hotel room doors and once you step onto the third-level rooftop, you can choose to have great fun drinking Louis Roederer champagne while playing boules or just relax and enjoy innovative cocktails based on flowers and botanicals complimented with high tea delights. In the evenings this seasonal summer sanctuary with mature trees and perfectly trimmed hedges dazzles with sunset views over the nearby Tiergarten Park.

Green thumbs up?

The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin has its own bee hives on the roof top. You can sample the freshly harvested and delicious honey (still dripping out of the honeycomb) produced by up to 400,000 honey bees during the summer months at the breakfast buffet. Guests with electric car can charge them in the hotel parking garage.

Room for improvement

We were a bit challenged with the espresso machine in the room, which didn’t seem to work properly, but it was just a matter of the water container being put on incorrectly, therefore a short instruction manual might have been helpful. Of course, a ‘technician’ was dispatched immediately after a call to reception and fixed the ‘problem’ in seconds.

Final verdict

In today’s world, five stars is often just a mere number indicating a hefty price tag for a hotel room. However, The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin takes a five-star stay to the next level by offering sophisticated and elegant service while embracing their guests with warmth, as if they were a cherished, visiting friend. Moreover, it’s central and convenient location would definitely have me return when visiting Berlin. The added bonus of being child and dog-friendly makes it an excellent choice for families, whereas couples will greatly enjoy the privacy of the Secret Champagne Garden and the eclectic vibe of The Curtain Club. Overall, I couldn’t imagine a better place from which to explore all the German capital has to offer.