Laurenz Demps

Who does not know the legendary hotel Adlon - and if only by the name. It was and it is still a meeting point for the rich and the famous, for politicians, royals and stars.

Who would have that ever imagined, when Lorenz Adlon bought the Palais Redern in 1905. With the support of Wilhelm II. it was not difficult for him to find financiers for his hotel project. The hotel was opened in 1907 and right from the start it attracted prominent people of that time. Luxurious interior, extraordinary service - hospitality par excellence was what every guest could expect and what every guest got. And although times changed, Lorenz Adlon and later his son Louis know exactly how to make the best out of it. Even the Second World War could changed anything - the hotel stand any air raid and the Russian invasion (as a military hospital), without any serious destructions. It seems as if they had been very lucky - until the day at the beginning of May 1945. A fire broke out and destroyed nearly the whole hotel. But soon after the hotel was reopened in a side wing, which survived the fire. The hotel business went on till 1987, when the GDR-officials decided to rebuilt the whole place and pulled down the remains from the old hotel. Times changed again, the wall fell, Germany was reunited and the heirs together with Kempinski decided to build the hotel again - and to rebuild a legend.

All this is described in the book - and many things more. You learn about the history of the hotel, about the Adlons and their staff. You read the stories told by eye-witnesses, guests and employees. You look behind the scenes - an interesting view for outsiders. Together with beautiful pictures, the history of the hotel becomes alive. You can feel the atmosphere and the spirit of the old times. Not everybody can afford to stay in the Adlon today, but this book will help you to get there - and if only by your imagination.