Description: Grand Hyatt Berlin redefines "grand." Gone are the days when craftsmanship and
ornamentation made their marks on "posh." Sophisticated simplicity conceived in divine materials, raises to previously-unimagined heights the best of everything building suppliers offer. With Minimalist decor, still warm and "homey" with rich wood, the open lobby, restaurant, and bar area
demand chic guests -- incredibly, the hotel’s website insists that men wear jackets and women "at least suits" in their lobby. A turn-off for rail travelers with efficient packing in mind? Dietrich’s Bistro and Vox Bar (over 200 whiskeys, they advertise) were packed with glamorous people of every ethnic background. The full-windowed front of the restaurant showcased their beauty to Marlene-Dietrich-Platz. Perhaps they had visited Hyatt’s top-floor Club Olympus Spa for every "treatment" ever devised! Some were there for extravagant meals from the Vox showcase kitchen. Hyatt has everything to delight.
We arrived on the ICE train from Leipzig to Berlin’s main station Zoologischergarten, then down one level for the subway to Potsdamer
Platz. The hotel was only a block to the left. The entire area is new, developed since Reunification, and a great neighborhood for strolling after dark. Shops, eateries, Daimler-Chrysler’s new musical theater, an Omnimax -- all this and upscale residential buildings, too, create a "downtown" atmosphere in this suburb of the "New Berlin."
Front desk was efficient, hospitable, and spoke English. Our room had two strong suits: it was free (Hyatt’s "Faster Free Nights" promo again), and the marble bath was outrageous! The shower enclosed with glass was larger than most full hotel baths and incorporated tub, shaving mirror, and stool on heated marble floor. The vanity area with glass shelves on the walls displayed more of Hyatt’s "Portico" brand supplies than I’ve ever been offered, and a ceiling-to-floor wood closet opposite the vanity had room for our carry-on bags, plus blankets and bathroom scales (another Hyatt "homey" touch).
"Hyatt Home" continued into our sleeping room, where more glass shelves above our hospitality area displayed a lovely vase, other decor items, some fruit, a metal pot with hotplate for warming water, an assortment of coffees, teas, and snacks, even books! The fridge was recessed into the hallway wall (out of the way), and the opposite wall was filled with more mirrored wood cabinetry than we would need for a month’s stay. The room was large with desk, chair, and ottoman. Everything was immaculate and perfect!
The view seemed very "Berlin." Twin gold buildings with seeming concave-slope roofs rising to sharp points were curiousity pieces, somewhat of a contrast to the warm "New Berlin" of minimalist indulgence Grand Hyatt exemplifies, but the greatest contrast was ahead in the 800-year-old buildings of Lutherstadt/Wittenberg, 1.5 hours by ICE.
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