Kempinski Hotels

Kempinski's story begins in 1897 when Berthold Kempinski, a successful wine merchant and restaurateur, established a fine-dining destination on Berlin's Kurfürstendamm that became the toast of the German capital. The Kempinski name became synonymous with exceptional hospitality, refined tastes, and European elegance. After World War II, the company evolved into hotel management, with the iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin—originally opened in 1907 as Europe's most luxurious hotel and host to luminaries from the Kaisers to Charlie Chaplin—rebuilt and reopened at its legendary address beside the Brandenburg Gate in 1997. Today, Kempinski is Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, operating over 80 five-star hotels in 34 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The brand remains fiercely independent, never having been acquired by a larger conglomerate, which allows it to maintain its distinctively European character and commitment to individualized luxury that honors each property's heritage and location.

Kempinski occupies a distinctive position in luxury hospitality as the only major European-heritage luxury brand that has remained independent for over 125 years. Unlike chain-operated luxury brands that enforce standardized designs, Kempinski celebrates the individual character of each property—from restored imperial palaces to contemporary architectural statements. The brand's European DNA manifests in meticulous attention to craftsmanship, formalized but warm service traditions, world-class gastronomy (many properties house Michelin-starred restaurants), and a reverence for cultural heritage that ensures each hotel tells its destination's story authentically. Kempinski's "Lady in Red" greeting service—where dedicated staff in signature red attire personally welcome and attend to guests—has become an iconic hallmark of the brand. The company also pioneered the "White Glove Services" concept, delivering highly personalized concierge experiences that go far beyond typical hotel offerings, including private jet arrangements, exclusive cultural access, and bespoke travel itineraries.

Booking through WhataHotel grants you access to Club 1897 benefits at no additional cost—our rates match the best flexible rates available directly through Kempinski. You'll receive complimentary daily breakfast for two guests, a property credit of $50-$100 USD (amount varies by hotel, applicable toward dining, spa, or other eligible services), upgrade to the next available room category upon arrival (subject to availability), early check-in and late checkout based on availability, and a personalized welcome amenity reflecting the property's destination. These perks are included with our $10.95 booking fee at the same rate you'd pay booking direct. You'll also earn GHA Discovery loyalty program points and benefits on your stay, as Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance.

GHA Discovery is the loyalty program of the Global Hotel Alliance, the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands. As a founding member, Kempinski participates fully in the GHA Discovery program, which includes over 800 hotels across 40+ brands in 100 countries. When you book Kempinski through WhataHotel, you earn GHA Discovery points and elite night credits while simultaneously enjoying Club 1897 benefits—effectively stacking loyalty rewards with exclusive perks. GHA Discovery offers four tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium) with benefits including room upgrades, late checkout, welcome amenities, and local experiences. The program's DISCOVERY Dollars can be redeemed at any GHA member property worldwide. Unlike chain-specific programs, GHA Discovery gives you access to a diverse collection of independent luxury brands including Kempinski, Anantara, Corinthia, Lungarno Collection, and many more.

Kempinski operates over 80 five-star hotels in 34 countries, with a concentration in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia:

The Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is Kempinski's crown jewel and one of the most legendary hotels in the world. The original Hotel Adlon opened in 1907 at the behest of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who wanted Berlin to have a hotel rivaling the finest in Paris and London. It quickly became Europe's most celebrated hotel, hosting royalty, heads of state, and celebrities including Charlie Chaplin, Albert Einstein, Marlene Dietrich, and Thomas Edison. After being destroyed during World War II, the hotel was painstakingly rebuilt and reopened in 1997 at its original address, Unter den Linden 77, directly beside the Brandenburg Gate. Today's Hotel Adlon Kempinski faithfully recreates the grandeur of the original while offering contemporary five-star luxury, with 382 rooms and suites, the two-Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer restaurant, a world-class spa, and one of the most storied addresses in European hospitality. The hotel remains a preferred destination for visiting dignitaries and celebrities, and its famous lobby—with the iconic elephant fountain—continues to be one of Berlin's great gathering places.

Room upgrades through Club 1897 are applied upon arrival based on availability at the time of check-in. As a Club 1897 guest, you receive priority for the next available room category above your booked room type. While upgrades cannot be guaranteed in advance, Club 1897 guests receive preferential treatment over standard bookings. At palace and heritage properties—such as Ç?ra?an Palace Kempinski Istanbul or Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin—upgrades can be particularly meaningful given the distinctive character of each room category. Early check-in and late checkout are provided based on availability with Club 1897 priority. Combining Club 1897 benefits with GHA Discovery elite status may provide additional upgrade opportunities at participating properties.

Kempinski bookings through WhataHotel are made at the best available flexible rate and include a $10.95 booking fee. Most properties have no minimum stay requirement, though some may require a 2-night stay during peak seasons or special events. You will earn GHA Discovery points and elite qualifying nights on your stay, with all GHA Discovery elite benefits applying according to your membership tier. Cancellation and modification policies follow the hotel's standard flexible rate terms. The property credit ($50-$100, varying by hotel) is issued once per stay and can be used toward dining, spa, minibar, or other eligible hotel services. For the best room selection and to ensure all exclusive perks are properly applied, we recommend booking as early as possible, particularly at heritage properties with limited room categories.