Kempinski Hotels

Kempinski's story began in 1897 in Berlin with Berthold Kempinski, a bold wine merchant and restaurateur with an adventurous approach to hospitality. Born in 1843, Berthold and his wife Helene started by importing and retailing high-quality wines, quickly gaining a reputation for introducing customer-friendly innovations that were revolutionary at the time – serving wines by the glass instead of only full bottles, offering half-portion dishes alongside full portions, and creating fixed-price menus that made luxury cuisine accessible to the middle class rather than just the wealthy elite. These practices set the foundation for Kempinski's emphasis on exceptional service and quality, transforming it from a modest wine shop into a prominent gastronomic enterprise in the heart of Berlin. In 1907, the company expanded into its first dedicated wine restaurant at Leipziger Strasse 25, which became a vibrant social hub featuring elegant dining halls including the opulent Orangerie room. This venue, which even hosted Kaiser Wilhelm II at its Emperor's Hall inauguration, solidified Kempinski's status as a leader in Berlin's culinary scene. The landmark achievement came in 1928 with the launch of Haus Vaterland on Potsdamer Platz, a sprawling entertainment and dining complex that housed 12 themed restaurants representing global cuisines with up to 2,500 seats, complete with theatrical shows that drew millions of visitors annually and established the brand as a pioneer in experiential hospitality.

After Berthold Kempinski died in 1910, his son-in-law Richard Unger took over the business and expanded it to include wine stores and restaurants in Amsterdam, London, and New York. Following World War II's devastation, which destroyed key Berlin properties including the original Kempinski restaurant, Richard's son Friedrich Unger (Berthold's grandson) returned from the United States to rebuild. In 1951, construction started on a hotel on the site of the ruined restaurant at 27 Kurfürstendamm, and it opened a year later in 1952 under the name Hotel Kempinski – marking the brand's official entry into the hotel business. This modern, progressive five-star hotel enjoyed undisputed status as the sole luxury hotel in West Berlin for 20 years, instantly becoming the place to be for Berlin's fashion-forward residents. Heads of state, celebrities and Nobel Prize-winners like Albert Einstein called it home, and during his stay in 1963, US President John F. Kennedy famously told the people of Berlin "Ich bin ein Berliner." In 1953, Friedrich Unger sold his shares and the Kempinski name to Hotelbetriebs-Aktiengesellschaft, which already managed prestigious hotels like the Baltic, Bristol, and Kaiserhof. The hotel at 27 Kurfürstendamm adopted the Bristol name and is still known today as the Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin.

Kempinski grew steadily through the decades, first in Germany with landmark properties like Hotel Atlantic Hamburg in 1957, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Munich in 1970 (through a 50% partnership with Lufthansa), and Hotel Gravenbruch Frankfurt in 1977. In 1985, when Lufthansa acquired shares in Kempinski AG, this finally enabled the hotel company to operate Kempinski hotels abroad for the first time. The company achieved several significant international milestones in the early 1990s – in 1992, Kempinski opened its first hotel in Asia, the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center (now Beijing Yansha Center), becoming the first international luxury hotel in China's capital. This pioneering move introduced classic European cuisine to discerning diners in Asia, with the hotel's Paulaner Bräuhaus becoming a beloved destination for Bavarian hospitality in Beijing's diplomatic district. The 1990s saw rapid expansion across China and the wider Asia-Pacific region, combining European luxury with local flavors. By the mid-2000s, Kempinski was well established in the Arabian Peninsula with luxurious properties in Ajman, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. In 2013, the brand unveiled its first luxury safari camp in Kenya's Masai Mara, paving the way for further adventures in Africa with new hotels in Nairobi, Accra, Djibouti, and the spectacular Seychelles. In 2017, Kempinski made its debut in the Americas with Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana – the first true luxury hotel in Cuba – housed in a glorious Belle Époque building with 130 years of history.

Booking through WhataHotel grants you access to Kempinski Club 1897 benefits at no additional cost – our rates match Kempinski's best available flexible rate. You'll receive complimentary daily breakfast for two guests per room served in the hotel's main restaurant (typically full buffet or à la carte, depending on the property), a property credit of $50 to $100 per stay to be used toward food and beverage or spa services (the exact amount varies by property, with rooms typically receiving $50-$100 and suites receiving $100), priority room upgrade of one category based on availability at check-in, early check-in and late checkout based on availability, a personalized welcome amenity reflecting the hotel's unique character, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout your stay. There is no minimum stay requirement – benefits apply even to single-night stays. All bookings are eligible for GHA Discovery loyalty program benefits, where you'll earn D$ (the program's rewards currency), tier qualification points, and member privileges. Club 1897 bookings are made at the standard flexible rate and cannot be combined with promotional rates, government rates, or other discounted rates, and benefits are only available on paid stays using cash, not points redemptions.

As Europe's oldest luxury hotel group with over 125 years of history, Kempinski has evolved through the ages while remaining authentic and true to its heritage. The brand's philosophy centers on creating "beautiful performances" and defining moments for guests, carrying the spirit of European luxury across the globe while embellishing it with subtle flavors of each destination. From the charms of the Belle Époque to the extravagances of the opulent 1970s, Kempinski has kept pace with trends in fashion and design that defined each era. Today's portfolio of 80+ five-star hotels and residences in 34 countries spans magnificent buildings, many of which echo fascinating histories that pre-date Kempinski's own – lovingly renovated iconic landmarks alongside modern architectural masterpieces. Style, quality, and individuality permeate every property, with pools, spas, gyms, bars, and restaurants that are the epitome of elegance. Hotels are all very different from one another, each reflecting the personality of its destination, yet all maintain that distinctive Kempinski brand DNA and feeling of European luxury. The brand is passionate about creating rich, meaningful, and memorable experiences, offering so much more than sumptuous bedrooms and fine dining – it's the enthralling experiences, breathtaking backdrops, unique ambience, and unforgettable memories that make it truly remarkable. Throughout the decades, properties have been frequented by film stars, world leaders, royalty, nobility, artists, writers, and musicians.

Kempinski's heritage as a wine merchant and restaurateur since 1897 continues to influence the exceptional dining experiences at properties worldwide. The brand carefully educates staff and trains for local culture, including special holidays, language requirements, and customs when entering new markets, ensuring hotels and people reflect the personality of each destination. This cultural sensitivity manifests in signature "bubbly moments" created for guests – in France it's champagne, while in the Middle East it's infused mineral water. At the same time, Kempinski weaves European touches throughout the global portfolio, such as serving the Berliner jam donut from Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin at the Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok as a subtle way of bringing that taste of Europe. Properties feature everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional local cuisine, brewpubs like the beloved Paulaner Bräuhaus in Beijing, and sophisticated wine bars honoring the brand's wine merchant roots. Many hotels occupy historic buildings with fascinating stories – Gran Hotel Manzana in Havana is housed in a 130-year-old Belle Époque masterpiece, Ç?ra?an Palace in Istanbul is a former Ottoman imperial palace on the Bosphorus, and San Clemente Palace in Venice sits on a private island. The brand's commitment to quality over quantity means each new property is carefully vetted to ensure it's a good fit for the Kempinski family and can uphold the values that have come to define the brand after 125+ years of excellence.

GHA Discovery is Kempinski's loyalty program as part of the Global Hotel Alliance, which counts 21 million members and is formed by renowned independent hotel brands that are well-established in their respective parts of the world. As a founding major shareholder of GHA, Kempinski benefits from this collaborative framework where brands share knowledge and learn from each other, making informed strategic decisions together. When you book through Kempinski Club 1897, you're still eligible to earn GHA Discovery benefits including D$ (the program's rewards currency similar to points), tier qualification points, and member privileges during your stay. The program has multiple membership tiers that unlock progressively better benefits. While D$ are not redeemable at the time of booking when using Club 1897 rates, you'll still earn them for eligible spending during your stay. The alliance structure means your loyalty is recognized across all participating brands, not just Kempinski, providing flexibility and value across a global network of independent luxury hotels. This partnership with Oracle as technology provider and the collective expertise of alliance members helps Kempinski manage risk and make better decisions, alleviating tension in the strategic planning process while maintaining the brand's focus on quality differentiation.

Kempinski Club 1897 bookings through WhataHotel have no universal minimum stay requirement across all hotels, though certain promotional offers and specific properties may have their own minimum stay conditions, especially for perks like complimentary nights or elevated upgrades. Rates are booked at Kempinski's best available flexible rate and are fully prepaid, including a $10.95 booking fee. The Club 1897 rate reflects the flexible/standard rate and cannot be combined with other discounts, promotional rates, government rates, or any other discounted rates. Club 1897 can only be booked on paid stays using cash and isn't available for points stays or award redemptions. Cancellation policies vary by property but typically allow free cancellation up to one day (24 hours) prior to arrival – check your specific booking confirmation for exact terms. Property credits ($50-$100 depending on hotel) are issued once per stay regardless of length and typically can be used toward food and beverage or spa services, though some exclusions may apply (such as minibar or room service at certain properties). Room upgrades are based on availability at check-in and typically advance you one category, while early check-in and late checkout are provided based on availability. All reservations are made directly through Kempinski's system, so you'll earn full GHA Discovery benefits and any elite privileges you've earned through the program.