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| Hotel
Atlantic |
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| Hamburg -
Germany |
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Extraordinary - Society
August - 2007 |
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5 Stars
& 6 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
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| ‘Welcome
to Hamburg’, in English, was the first thing I read on a pretty sign
when the train rolled without any noise into Europe's 'Venice of the North'
train station. My destination, the Grande Dame of Hamburg, the celebrated Hotel
Atlantic Kempinski, facing the famous, picturesque Aussenalster (Alster Lake).
I reached Europe's most famous (or infamous) hanseatic city this time by train.
The train arrived just 500 feet from the 'Grand Dame', besides 'she' is
conveniently located just about twenty-five minutes from Hamburg's sassy
International Airport. My driver was prepared to chauffeur me in the house
BMW
750 IL to the hotel, instead he took just my luggage since I decided to
walk. All around I felt Hamburg's gripping cosmopolitan buzz, combined with its
unique traditional, maritime, old world charm. As Hotel Atlantic Kempinski, a
gracious landmark with its white, impeccably maintained façade and
spectacular architectural details came in sight, my eyes were instantly drawn
to the shiny polished precious main entrance. Hamburg's flagship hotel opened
in 1909, then 'Grand Hotel', was accommodating guests who were traveling abroad
on fashionably famous Atlantic Ocean liners. Suddenly, the doors swung open,
and friendly, welcoming, honest smiles invited my to enter. "Guten Tag!" As I
was quickly and professionally checked in, with just the right amount of homey
touch, I admired the high ceilings of the arrival hall and its priceless art
pieces and antiques all around. |
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| My accommodations were in the clouds, the Sea Cloud
suite, that is. High-ceilinged bedrooms and suites, charmingly furnished, well
designed and comfortable with high speed WiFi, Internet access available. With
the Kempinski Hotel Atlantic Hamburg ideally located on Lake Alster, my view
was simply to die for. Little sailboats came into sight dangling on the
bluer-than-blue lake Alster, it was hard to believe that we were here actually
right in the heart of Hamburg. As a European, I was delighted to find a bidet
in the bath facilities and charmed with the maritime touches even here. There
was a ship's bull's-eye decorating the bathtub adjacent to double sinks in fine
Italian marble, complemented by darker woods. I must applaud the housekeeping
department for their creative touches; two towels were folded and placed in
eyesight featuring the house' logo as 'KEMP' and 'INSKI'. A unique wooden
treasure chest was arranged on the living room table displaying fresh,
colorful, carefully selected fruits and nearby a three-tired white porcelain
canapé étagère, protected with a tall glass dome demanding
to be raised. |
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The Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg attracts leaders
of society and celebrities for almost a century. And sure enough I ran in
Udo
Lindenberg, an internally renowned and adored rock musician, author and
painter. Mr. Linderberg resides here year-round and considers the hotel his
home. It is said that the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg has been a culinary
institution ever since the day it opened its doors, 'feeding' the success of
the meeting, wedding and banquet business. Fabulously designed and meticulously
decorated event halls mesmerize attendees, playing an important role in the
success of national and international gatherings and corporate affairs. The
Hotel Atlantic Kempinski is boasting one of the most
elegant
ballrooms in Hamburg's history, the ornate banquet room could easily be
considered as the showpiece of the hotel, combining awe-inspiring 'cathedral
ceilings' with old-world splendor. Parts of the Grande Dame are presently
receiving a major face-lift, culminating in larger accommodations and upgraded
health and beauty spa facilities by 2009, while the hotel is fully functioning
and accommodating guests in its renowned, gracious style. If the delicious
array of canapés from earlier were meant to be an inspiration to the
culinary delights to follow that evening, it sure did the trick…
Later
that evening we should experience a palate-dazzling intermezzo during dinner of
the most
fascinating
fireworks from the rooftop of the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski (guided by
Benedikt Winkels), toasting with a perfectly chilled bottle of champagne. These
breathtaking
fireworks are celebrating annual events on the Alster Lake spread over
three consecutive evenings, each night created by a different
artist. |
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“The Atlanticaner staff is professional, courteous, warm &
friendly and clearly displays pride of ownership.
Managing Hotel Director
Sebastian Heineman is highly recognized for his outstanding staff.” ~
TB |
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by
Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John
Lomitola |
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| © 2007 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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