The Rocco Forte Hotel de Rome is an iconic luxury gem and one of the most prestigious buildings in Berlin. Originally built as the headquarters of the revered Dresdner Bank, it is now a place where heritage and stylish modernity meet. This exceptional hotel offers outstanding hospitality, sublime cuisine and first-rate facilities. The rooms, with high ceilings and soft colour schemes, combine the traditional and the contemporary, as so often is the case with Rocco Forte Hotels. Located on historic Bebelplatz, in the heart of the city, Hotel de Rome is close to Berlin’s principal attractions, including the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin State Opera, Museum Island and Fernsehturm. Unfortunately the amazing Rooftop Terrace, which offers spectacular views over the city, was closed during my stay as it was winter but the ‘fine fleur’ of Berlin goes there during the summer to enjoy cocktails and tempting appetizers as the sun sets. So this time we opted for one of the avant-garde cocktails in the hotel’s Chiaro Bar. The walls of the hotel are used for exhibitions. On this occasion we could enjoy edgy photography by Kiki Kausch. In 2020 there were equally amazing photographs of Karl Lagerfeld by photographer Daniel Biskup in a show curated by Türkan Arikan, the Hotel de Rome’s Director of Communications. The hotel’s Chiaro restaurant celebrates Hotel de Rome’s rich culinary heritage through Italian specialties refined with Japanese umami by renowned celebrity chef Tim Mälzer. At first I had thought, mmm... Italian with Japanese ... but when I tried my Bonito starter (mackerel sashimi, lardo, green pepperoni, crostini and citrus marinade), it was perfecto. And as a main I had the Merluzo (cod confit with pine nuts, piedmont hazelnut, celery and lemon-thyme). It was simply divine. We enjoyed our dinner tremendously. Can’t wait to go back.