Waldorf Astoria opens in Berlin
The flagship Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York must be feeling outdated in the wake of its flashy successors.
Hilton Worldwide opened its first German Waldorf Astoria hotel in Berlin on January 3.
The 232-room luxury hotel is located in the new Zoofenster skyscraper, a short walk from Kurfürstendamm, one of the city's major shopping districts.
Currently only 180 rooms across floors one through 15 are open. The rest are expected to become available at the beginning of February. At 118 meters the presidential suite on the top floor is the highest hotel suite in the city.
The design and venues are a mix of French and German. The building's exterior was designed by German architect Christoph Mackler, while the interior was headed by French design company Inter Art Etudes.
The hotel houses a restaurant run by Michelin-starred French chef Pierre Gagnaire, a recreation of former bohemian Berlin gathering spot Romanisches Café, and a spa by French beauty brand Guerlain.
For the grand opening, rooms are being offered at a discounted rate. Deluxe rooms start at €210 (US$280).
The Berlin branch is the fifth European location for the hotel group. The next Waldorf Astoria openings will be in Jerusalem and Amsterdam in 2014.
Hardenbergstrasse 28, Berlin; +49 30 814000 0; www.waldorfastoriaberlin.com
More on CNN: Europe's 10 hottest destinations for 2013
