The London Lounge

I want the equivalent, in Berlin, of Claridges, in London. A hotel that is grand, old-fashioned, and fine--but whose service is intime and whose public rooms do not (like some grand hotels) remind one of a railway station.

Maybe the "Adlon Kempinski" (http://www.hotel-adlon.de) will come close to your expectations.

The original "Hotel Adlon" was inaugurated in 1907 and was a very famous hotel during the first decades of the last century until it was destroyed during WW2. It was then rebuilt about ten years ago.

It is located in "Unter den Linden" boulevard, only a few steps away from the "Brandenburger Tor".

The film “Grand Hotel” (1932), or at least the preceding novel by Vicki Baum, was supposed to portrait the Adlon Hotel in Berlin.

That’s where Garbo uttered, what must be her most famous line: “I want to be alone!“

Ah, the hotel where nothing ever happens. I've always thought the young Joan Crawford's day dress as Flaemnmchen in that movie is one of the great pieces of Hollywood dressing. Does anyone know the designer (1932)? Marabunta? (Apologies for detouring off-topic):

"Flämmchen" was the secretary.
Miss Crawford is a bit overdressed for the typing pool, I suppose.

The Schlosshotel im Grunewald.

http://www.schlosshotelberlin.com/english/history.html

It's a small hotel, restored from the old Palais Pannwitz, with an old-fashioned 18th century feel to it.