Hotel Adlon Kempinski

The city’s only hotel with full-frontal views of the Brandenburg Gate, the sumptuous Adlon is one of Europe’s grand old dames and a favourite with visiting celebrities. It was here that Marlene Dietrich was discovered, Goebbels chased his mistress down the hall and Michael Jackson dangled his infant son from a balcony.

Starting with the gilt-edged lobby and gorgeous stained-glass atrium, the complex oozes old-style luxury from every pore, although it’s a post-war replica. There’s an uber-luxurious wellness centre with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, spa and a state-of-the-art gym. For dining, there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant in-house, and an on-site wine store, famed for holding more than a million bottles in its cellar – still a treasure trove for connoisseurs.

Even the location is grand. You’re right in the heart of the historic city on Pariser Platz – a ceremonial square stretching behind the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate.