Just 15 minutes from the bustling Kurfürstendamm and the historic Breitscheidplatz lies the Hotel Sana Berlin, a four-star hotel that has brought a touch of Portugal to the heart of the German capital. Sebastian Weidtkamp, the hotel’s manager, epitomises true hospitality — indeed, ‘hospitality’ is a core value of this Portuguese hotel group, founded in 1999, which currently comprises 17 hotels. The Sana Berlin is one of three hotels with an international presence (the others are the Relais & Châteaux Auberge du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly, near Paris, and the Epic Sana Luanda in Angola). Pedro Miguel Ramos is the group’s communications director, himself a tireless ambassador for Portuguese hospitality and generosity.
The Sana Berlin enjoys a central location, with the Augsburger Straße underground station just a few steps away, and there’s always the option of exploring the city by bike with ease (Berlin is completely flat, situated on the so-called Great European Plain). The neighbourhood is quiet, and the façade is understated, sleek and modern. A true city hotel offering comfort and essential facilities for those travelling on business or on holiday with friends, family or simply enjoying a few days on their own.
After about half an hour’s taxi ride from Brandenburg International Airport, we arrive at the entrance and, as we pass through the revolving door, we can’t help but notice the sign reading ‘Excellence Concept Hotel’ — a phrase to bear in mind. We are greeted with a warm smile that feels like a hug, a feeling that has stayed with us ever since. The welcome? With a pastel de nata, one of the many touches of Portuguese hospitality deeply rooted in the art of welcoming guests, nobly cultivated by Sebastian. Even before that, on arrival, we’d already been spoilt… Who would have thought to wait for us at the airport with a tray graced by hot, comforting espressos that warmed our souls? (Sebastian, of course!)
The hotel’s interior is unmistakably urban, mirroring the exterior’s aesthetic. Dark colours characterise the communal areas, in stark contrast to the guest rooms, where white reigns supreme in lacquered glass panels, light wooden flooring and décor whose lightness is enhanced by the spaciousness of the rooms.