FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

InterContinental Berlin

Dec 1, 2012
2012 / December 2012

Arrival/Check-In: The InterContinental Berlin’s chessboard façade lit up in the distance as I approached. The hotel was fully booked the evening of my arrival; a convention was taking place. Naturally, the lobby was bustling. The front desk attendant proceeded swiftly through check-in, pointing me in the general direction of the elevators, and I found my way to my room.

Guest Quarters: My room on the 12th floor offered stunning views of Berlin, including the iconic Victory Column. I indulged in the view and a bar of dark chocolate as I settled in. Ample storage space allowed easy access to my belongings. Desk space was less ample but adequate for my needs. Low-speed WiFi is complimentary for the first hour; anything beyond comes at a fee.

Speakers in the large bathroom sync with the television. I didn’t miss a word of my program as I dressed for dinner. I appreciate guestrooms with a variety of lighting options: Green, purple and yellow bulbs near the bed gave a soft or warm effect when I needed to wind down in the evening. Turndown service is available only upon request.

Services/Amenities: Boasting 558 guestrooms and suites, the InterContinental entertains business guests with a variety of meeting spaces and unique catering options. The easily convertible space in the meeting facilities can host between five and 5,000 guests. Beyond standard hors d’oeuvres, the InterContinental arranges different food bars upon request. I sampled from a tomato bar and watched as the chef created bite-sized treats from ripe tomatoes and other fresh ingredients. A make-your-own doughnut bar option is popular among guests.

A meal at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Hugos, is a must during your stay. For dinner, Head Chef Thomas Kammeier prepared a veal dish with cabbage, parsley root and truffle. It was divine. Dessert was a delectable banana ice cream. As my dining companions and I began eating, a silence fell over the room — a true sign of an outstanding meal. In addition to dinner service, Hugos hosts private dining parties. Marlene Bar, named after German actress Marlene Dietrich, is a popular spot for business travelers unwinding at the end of the night. A cigar lounge lies just beyond the bar. Surprisingly, when smokers are absent, so is the aroma of cigars.

Situated near the city zoo and shopper’s paradise KaDeWe, the InterContinental offers something for everyone.

The Experience: In a rush one morning after breakfast, I left my favorite ring on the sink in the lobby restroom. I realized it when I arrived at a meeting across town. When I returned later in the day, I inquired at the front desk. My ring awaited me in an envelope. This was a small courtesy, but one I am reminded of every time I look at my ring. I highly recommend the InterContinental Berlin to new and returning Berlin visitors.

GT Checklist

  • Doorman/valet
  • Less than 10 minutes for check-in
  • Separate tub and shower
  • Large vanity
  • High-quality towels
  • Powerful, unattached hair dryer
  • High-quality bed linens
  • Large, flat-screen television
  • Large desk with convenient outlets
  • Large, complimentary laptop safe
  • Complimentary in-room WiFi
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Stocked minibar
  • Ample lighting
  • In-room coffeemaker
  • Iron and ironing board
  • On-site restaurant and bar
  • 24-hour room service
  • State-of-the-art fitness center

InterContinental Berlin

Budapester Strasse 2
Berlin, 10787
Germany
tel 49 30 26020
ichotelsgroup.com

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Jun 19, 2025

The Spa at Terranea Debuts $4.5 Million Renovation

Located at Terranea Resort, a 102-acre oceanfront resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, The Spa at Terranea recently completed a $4.5 million renovation of its facilities, led by RVD Associates, a Los Angeles-based, full-service interior design firm. The 50,000-square-foot spa boasts new décor throughout, a new entry and lobby, modernized lockers and bathrooms, refreshed treatment rooms and lounge areas, and a revitalization of the outdoor areas.

Lech Walesa on Tour: A Conversation with a Man Who Changed the World

Some events change a nation. Some change the world.

Daily
Jun 18, 2025

Don’t Miss These 5 Exceptional Museums in Budapest

There’s a magic to Budapest that’s hard to define. It may be the light or scents or even sounds — regardless, a great way to get a feel for this beautiful location is through its outstanding collection of museums. Here are a few to consider:

Daily
Jun 18, 2025

A New Coastal Community Rises in the Dominican Republic

Real estate development firm BECCA and strategic architecture and planning partner GRITT teamed up for a new project, The Don Dom. This new gated residential complex is set to open in 2027 in the heart of Dominicus-Bayahibe, and aims to blend the ease of resort-style living with comfort and privacy.

Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive

Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.

eFlyer Reviews
Jun 18, 2025

W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal Review

On Costa Rica’s north Pacific Coast, the tranquil, 150-room W Reserva Conchal is located in a 2,300-acre, government-protected wildlife preserve encapsulating much of the country’s incredible eco-diversity. Habitats include mangroves, estuaries and a tropical dry forest; these places are home to howler monkeys, coatis, iguanas, magpie-jays, and perhaps a jaguar... if you can tear yourself from your room, that is. My Spectacular Ocean Escape was exactly that, decked out in vibrant hues to mirror the expansive views of lush foliage and tropical flowers (and ocean beyond), while incorporating indigenous patterns of tico culture. Design details included a green leather headboard and free-form leather sofa, a blue and orange mural, and tropical hardwood furnishings and paneling. A surfboard was reimagined into a shelf for the coffee station in a clever nod to the region’s surfing culture. The massive bathroom’s oversized shower looks out onto the vegetation, and my balcony was the perfect nook to sip wine with a side of sunset.

June 2025
Jun 18, 2025

Immerse in a Blissful Haven of Wellness at AVA Resort Cancun and Its New Spa

It’s hard to imagine a mother’s trip with her adult daughter could get any better. We’d lounged by what’s likely the largest pool in Cancún — perhaps even on the Riviera Maya — sharing secrets and consummate laughter. We chose gluttonously from an array of 17 compelling bars and restaurants, each with its own theme, from Mexican to Italian to Japanese; practiced yoga atop a promontory hovering over the sea; and toasted sunsets with margaritas. But now, when pampering wellness calls, we spend the day in Mexico’s buzziest new spa: The SPA at AVA. Amazingly, while at the spa, things get yet more mother-daughter, bond-making sweet ... our trip’s absolute pièce de résistance.

Explore Europe with the Best River Cruise Line this November

Experience Europe from a fresh perspective with AmaWaterways, just awarded Best River Cruise Line by Global Traveler for the third consecutive year. Step aboard, unpack once and embark on a cruise through iconic capital cities and awe-inspiring landscapes. AmaWaterways' ships, which accommodate an average of just 156 guests, offer a spacious yet intimate setting. Throughout your journey, you'll enjoy exquisite farm-to-table dining; unparalleled service; and a variety of included excursions, from city tours for gentle walkers to thrilling bike rides along the rivers.

eFlyer Lead
Jun 18, 2025

Anti-Tourism Protests Ramp Up in Europe

From firing water guns to forcing the Louvre to shut down, protests have escalated across Southern Europe in response to overtourism. Overtourism is a growing problem in popular destinations around the world, affecting the environment, cost of living, housing availability and the overall happiness of locals.