A recent holiday paved the way for a colleague and me to venture into the homeland of fashion icons Karl Lagerfeld and Heidi Klum, hoping to explore Germany as a fashionable capital. France, Italy and the UK would have been the conventional choices if we were to seek vogue. Yet, surprisingly topping our expectations, which is an understatement of the awe we felt at the mix of the sartorial flair we witnessed, Germany — specifically Berlin, and more so Munich — proved to be an awesome choice for a stylish getaway.
Here is a glimpse of the week-long journey that made us experience, without doubt, how Berlin and Munich, when compared to its European counterparts, are equally classy and sassy.
Le grand stay in Berlin
A six-hour flight by Air Berlin from Dubai and another 30 minutes by cab from Tegel airport took us to the heart of Germany's capital, Berlin. Our initial home in the city was the Ritz-Carlton Berlin, located in a prime posh area next to the plaza called Potsdamer Platz. For those who want a classic hotel with an old-world aesthetic and great guest service, the Ritz-Carlton Berlin is the go-to option for fine holidaymakers. A five-minute walk from the hotel leads to many of Berlin's glorious spots, including the Brandenburg Gate.
To describe the Ritz-Carlton Berlin as beautiful would be a shame — it is so wonderful that we were tempted to stay indoors the whole time and just savour the inviting beds, pristine bathroom and picturesque view. We also grew fond of its friendly and efficient crew, private Club Lounge and the sumptuous breakfast buffet in the Curtain Club where the best eggs Benedict are served.
Adding glitz to our Ritz stay was the amazing warm bubble-bath experience. If you want a total treat at the end of the day, for €45 (Dh227), you'll get a bath butler who fixes the bath, complete with cute rubber ducks, rose petals and a bowl of gummy bears.
Signature experience
Walking a few blocks from the Ritz, we found the Grand Hyatt Berlin, where we tried the signature facial in its spa and wellness centre Club Olympus. The facial was helpful for skin picture-perfect for all photo ops throughout the trip. And while at the hotel, we dined alfresco in the Vox Restaurant. It offers the best nigiri and sushi in the city. Don't forget to ask for their crab soup, tasty halibut and delectable steaks.
To get close to the city's cultural and shopping districts, we decided to move to the Radisson Blu Berlin.
For Berlin lovers and newcomers alike, the location of the hotel beats everything: the Berlin Cathedral and world cultural heritage Museum Island face the hotel, while the lively scene of the Hackesche Markt is only five minutes by foot. The Unter den Linden boulevard, a long street filled with museums, universities and cathedrals, and Friedrichstrasse, the ultimate affluent shopper's haven, are only a stone's throw away.
While at the Radisson Blu, we also enjoyed fantastic views of the Berlin Cathedral and the River Spree, the Red Town Hall and Alexanderplatz. Our room faced the hotel atrium and offered us a direct view of the world's largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium called AquaDom — Caribbean feeling included.
Carefree fashion fills Berlin's streets
Aside from sightseeing and picture taking, we went people-watching to soak in Berlin's prevalent fashion statements.
We saw subgroups and were able to break them down into a few familiar styles — the hippie look, the hipster look, and the couldn't-care-less-so-I'm-just-gonna-throw-on-whatever's-clean look.
Despite their carefree attitude, people walked down the streets carrying bags of H&M and Zara as arm candies, so we knew that we needed to check the must-visit shopping spots the local folks have in the list.
Our first stop was Berlin's Kurfurstendamm, or Ku'damm as locals call it. This popular shopping artery is well-known for KaDeWe, a huge mall offering more than 200 fashion brands. From electronics to food and fashion to home accessories, KaDeWe has it all. It might be one of the best malls in Berlin, but coming from Dubai where shopping malls are almost considered second homes, let's just say KaDeWe did not truly impress.
Equally popular and more upscale was the Friedrichstrasse shopping avenue. Considered the Upper East Side of Berlin where Quartier 207 or Galeries Lafayette will stun walking tourists with its all-glass façade, Friedrichstrasse is indeed a shopping paradise for affluent shoppers. Aside from its important historical sightseeing points and the gigantic blocks offering this season's hottest sartorial choices, Friedrichstrasse is also perfect for checking out Art Deco forms, posh cafés and small speciality shops.
Bargain corner
While exploring shopping in Berlin, we also discovered that it's fun to check out the flea markets and bargain shops in the city. Most of these are open only during weekends so better check with your hotel's concierge before planning on having a go.
The night flea market by Alexanderplatz was filled with kiosks offering pashminas, accessories and vintage stuff. There were also food stalls and street performers for the guests' entertainment. The side street shops on Unter den Linden will delight tourists looking for second-hand books and quirky accessories.
Laid-back, classy in Munich
With the quiet elegance of the Charles Hotel by Rocco Forte, gone was our exhaustion from the rigorous Berlin tour, crazy weather, changing flight schedules and an hour road trip from Munich airport.
Located on Sophiestrasse, the Charles Hotel is close to the historic Königsplatz, the old town and the superb shopping area. It is a few steps from the idyllic Old Botanical Gardens, which brings peace and tranquillity, away from the city's bustle, to the hotel.
All these magnificent Bavarian views were well captured from the balcony of our room, which may have been just a tad romantic for our needs.
Aside from the sophisticated beauty of the Charles Hotel, it also boasts one of the most sought-after Italian restaurants in Munich, Davvero. Our sumptuous buffet for breakfast coupled with the charming view of the Max Palais and Old Botanical Garden was the best way to start the day.
While in Munich, we also explored the serene area in the eastern outskirts, Arabellapark and stayed at the Westin Grand Munich. The highlight of our days in the Westin Grand would be our time in the Executive Lounge, where we would go up every morning to be greeted by spread after spread of a traditional German breakfast.
Going out, walking along a sidestreet will get you right into Arabellapark, a district of speciality shops, lifestyle centres and an eclectic mix of dining choices, offering everything from Bavarian classics to traditional American diner staples. We recommend Wiener's Café — ask for the famous Wiener's Gröstl, a type of hash.
Stylish — superstylish — Muncheners
When we decided to roam around Munich like locals, we walked two blocks from the Crales Hotel towards the main railway station and took the U-bahn (underground train) U4 train bound for Arabellapark or the U5 Neuperlach Süd. Then, we hopped off two stations down at Odeonsplatz and headed to the Munich Residence. A few steps from the tourist spot will reveal Maximilianstrasse, Munich's most important shopping destination.
The seemingly quiet capital of Bavaria gave us a mighty sartorial surprise when we came to Maximilianstrasse area and its nearby streets around the Residenzstrasse. Maximilianstrasse is a haven of galleries, designer shops, luxury boutiques, jewellery stores and old buildings with old carvings and we felt at home in this upscale shopping district.
The sights were enough to compensate the time we missed in visiting Neuhauserstrasse and Kaufingerstrasse, both streets lined with large department stores and international chains.
And, of course, the most shocking fashion revelation was the parade of sixty-something men and women along Maximilianstrasse, looking dressier and sharper than their twenty-something counterparts, literally changing our impression about the city. Our eyes feasted on the number of not-so-young stylish men and women. Who would have thought that there were so many of them in Munich? At the end of this vogue trip, we had only one conclusion in mind: Berliners were carefree fashionistas, and Muncheners were the sophisticated, trendy stylistas.
— Sherry Tenorio is a UAE-based freelance writer
Berlin, Germany
FLY... Qatar Airways
From Dubai (via Doha) to Berlin for Dh3,870.
Or try Emirates Airlines, from Dubai to Munich for Dh4,820, or Etihad Airlines from Abu Dhabi to Munich for Dh3,550. Or try Lufthansa Airlines from Dubai to Munich for Dh3,350 or from Dubai (via Munich) to Berlin for Dh3,490.
— Information courtesy the Holiday Lounge by Dnata. Ph: 04 3492886
