the sense of theatre is strong, created by simple patterning and use of lighting

:: Panoramic Views

•  RECEPTION AND LOBBY. BY RESPECTING THE ARCHITECTURE AND TREATING THE SPACES SIMPLY, THE DESIGNER HAS CREATED A SIMPLE AND UNCLUTTERED FEEL TO A VERY BUSY SPACE, WITH A DISTINCTLY TRANSATLANTIC APPEARANCE •  THE WEAKNESS OF AN HOTEL WITH A THOUSAND PLUS BEDROOM HAS TO BE A RESTAURANT THAT SEAT ONLY 450 COVERS. HOWEVER THE CONTEMPORARY DESIGN ALLOWS A FEELING OF SPACE AND INTIMACY AT THE SAME TIME, WHILST A SLICK OPERATIONAL APPROACH SEEMS TO AVOID PROBLEMS •  BEDROOM TREATMENTS ARE SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE THROUGHOUT, CREATING SPACIOUS AND UNCLUTTERED ROOMS THAT FEEL A CUT ABOVE THEIR THREE STAR RATING.

With the removal of the Wall and reunification of this historic city, the centre of gravity is gradually moving eastwards helped by a massive investment in new architecture and integrated transport. On the edge of the Mittel district of Berlin (literally the middle) the hotel is on the edge of an area that shows the first signs of becoming a trendy part of the city. Whenever an area is moving upmarket it attracts artists and designers first then more weighty cultural elements of society. Just around the corner amongst a welter of cafes and 24 hour bars, the new British Council offices are opening. Not the only British influence, as also just around another corner is a huge Fish’n’chip shop…

Restoration of the town hall (Rot Rathaus) is not the only part of the restoration of the identity of the city. Rollover to see wurst... Public areas are marble clad, with the entrance from Alexanderplatz having cafes and a Burger King as well as a sense of presence. It is delightful that the Russians are returning as tourists, a reminder that the reunification of this city is but a step in Freedoms return to the whole of Europe

The challenge for the designer has been to makeover the hotel into an image befitting the first and certainly likely to be one of the largest Park Inns. With 1,003 bedrooms and large public areas the designer has risen to the challenge, presenting the rooms with an elegant simplicity that is very sophisticated. Using white and light decorations the cleanliness of the finishes makes the most of the space in the rooms. With full air conditioning they were cool and welcoming in the heat of August, and their bright feel will be welcome to travellers in the freezing cold and gloom of a central European Winter.

Despite its size and the number of guests that the rooms accommodate, the hotel retains a friendly feel, and whilst the number of staff is well down from the thousand deemed necessary under the state ownership of the old DDR (East German Government) where the comrades had one member of staff to every room, the current staff look after their guests with an open friendliness and warmth whilst working effectively.