The legendary Hotel Adlon Kempinski celebrated its 100^th anniversary on October 29, 2007, and what a memorable day it was, as how often does one have the luxury experience to honor such an esteemed grande dame on her milestone anniversary?

Since the Hotel Adlon Kempinski opened its doors in 1907, it has been a home away from home for royalty, world leaders, celebrities, and of course, discerning travelers. On October 29, 2007, we joined a literal who's who that gathered at the hotel to celebrate this most special day in the history of the hotel, and to also celebrate 110 years of Kempinski Hotels, hoteliers since 1897.

The red carpet welcomed guests entering the Hotel Adlon Kempinski where the celebrations began at 11:00 am in the hotels' Palaissaal. Hosted by television personality Nina Ruge, the ceremonial act began with a concert by the Beckert-Quartett (Berlin Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra) performing W.A. Mozart, Quartet in G, Presto, Adagio, Tempo di Minuetto.

After the concert, Stephan Interthal, Managing Director of the Hotel Adlon Kempinski welcomed the guests, followed by a short speech from Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin, and a greeting from Anno August Jagdfeld, Managing Director of Fundus Fonds-Verwaltungen GMBH.

   Stephan Interthal        Klaus Wowereit    Anno August Jagdfeld

The Beckert-Quartett (Berlin Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra) performed Astor Piazzolla, Tango-Ballett, followed by a greeting from Felix Adlon, the great-great grandson of Hotel Founder, Lorenz Adlon, and a greeting from Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels. The ceremony ended with Stephan Interthal presenting a check in the amount of 10,000 Euros to the Villa Souci International Children's Camp.

    Felix Adlon                                Reto Wittwer

A champagne reception followed on the Bel Etage with an exhibition of the "Adlon Oblige - 100 Years Hotel History" where guests had the opportunity to take a journey back in time through the many photographs chronicling the life and times of the hotel, as well as through the many displays of clothing, china, menus, and mementos collected throughout the years.

A celebratory luncheon followed in the restaurant Lorenz Adlon, with a menu of Homemade Smoked Red Mullet Filet with Passion Fruit and Tomato Relish; Seared Duck Breast with Quince Compote, Vinagre du Jerez Sauce and Autumn Vegetables; and Williams Christ Pear and Chocolate Moelleux with Cognac Ice Cream. The accompanying wines were 2006 Riesling Trocken Edition "100 Jahre Hotel Adlon" Weingut Robert Weil Rheingau, and 2005 Königsbacher Spätburgunder Edition "100 Jahre Hotel Adlon" Weingut A. Christmann Pfalz.

The afternoon's celebration was just the beginning though, and at 7:00 pm the grand festivities began with a cocktail reception. It was a magical evening where wait staff poured vintage 1998 Moët & Chandon Champagne from a specially created ice bar, and guests danced to music by Giorgio Di Luca and band with Singer Janéne Fundament on the Bel Etage; music by the Dizzy Swingers in the Ballroom Foyer and Winter Garden; a special performance by Anna Maria Kaufmann with the Savoy Dance Orchestra, and to the sounds of The Craig Lee Band in the Ballroom. Artists helped to commemorate the evening by creating portraits of the guests using a lit sparkler, and also by creating black paper silhouettes as a special souvenir of the evening.

Executive Chef Frabrice Lasnon, Chef Thomas Neeser, Chef Dominik Ambros and their team of chefs worked to create a sensational Gala Buffet where a few of the many items included Oysters, Lobster and Caviar from a spectacular ice bar; Scallops in Banana Leaf; Foie Gras with Mango; Savarin of Veal; Falafel of King Crab; Risotto with Périgord Truffle presented in a large Parmesan cheese wheel; Carpaccio of Brandenburg Deer with Chocolate; Prime Rib of Angus Beef; Little Apple Trees where miniature candied apples were attached to small trees with tiny wooden clothespins; Chocolate Creation with Pear-Caramel; Berry Dream; Baumkuchen; Selection of French Cheeses and Bread; and the list continued. Presentations were fantastical including an "out of this world" arrangement of skewered multi-flavored square marshmallows on a golden globe.

Accompanying beverages included 1998 Moët & Chandon Champagne; 2006 Riesling Trocken Edition "100 Jahre Hotel Adlon" Weingut Robert Weil Rheingau; 2005 Königsbacher Spätburgunder Edition "100 Jahre Hotel Adlon" Weingut A. Christmann Pfalz; 2006 Chardonnay Bramito Del Cervo, Castello Della Sala Antinori, Umbria; 2001 Château Les Fiefs de Lagrange, Château Lagrange, St. Julien; Gerolsteiner Mineral Water; Konig Pilsener; Paulaner Beer; and cocktails.

The evening celebrated the Hotel Adlon Kempinski's historical past and its future with 100 years of art and culture, 100 years of music and dance with costumed performers, 100 years of Zeitgeist and Glamour; 100 years of culinary highlights illuminated by 100 candles shining brightly over the Small Winter Garden; and a Cigar Lounge.

Speaking with Felix Adlon, he exclaimed that tonight was everything that he remembered his grandparents telling him about the hotel, and that he was very proud, as there is only one Hotel Adlon.

It was indeed a night to remember as we dined, danced, and toasted to the Hotel Adlon Kempinski's 100^th Anniversary and its future, a grande dame who never looked better!

Read about the Hotel Adlon Kempinski in the Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs' Recipes - Lorenz Adlon, Chefs' Recipes - Hotel Adlon, Chefs' Recipes - Hotel Adlon in German, and Spas sections.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski
Unter den Linden, 77
D-10117 Berlin
Germany
Telephone:      +49 30 2261 0
Fax:                 +49 30 2261 2222
Email:              This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   
www.Hotel-Adlon.de   

Read other articles on Berlin and Germany in Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs' Recipes, Arts and Antiques: Performances, Spas, and Music Scene sections.

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