DEPARTURE LOUNGE
ORANIA.BERLIN
Looking to shop for Berlin fashion? There are barely any cloth- ing stores in Neukölln and Kreuzberg. It’s a lifestyle philosophy, “We don’t need more things.” Eclectic wardrobes are refreshed at LOOKING TO DISCOVER BERLIN’S WILD, ALTERNATIVE SCENE? KREUZBERG AND NEUKÖLLN ARE BERLIN’S HAVENS FOR GLOBAL BOHEMIANS, ARTISTS, AND MUSICIANS. GRAFFITI-COVERED AND GRITTY; IT’S A CULTURE DEDICATED TO CREATING AUTHENTIC, UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.
windows and graffiti and invite the community to be a part of the Orania experience by offering free live concerts in a cool concert lounge and affordable drinks. Orania.Berlin has a relaxed, friendly vibe that puts guests at ease. The hotel has 41 rooms, and the corner suite was an epic stay. Chef/owner Phillip Vogel is the culinary maestro conducting the open kitchen and restaurant lounge. The Orania Breakfast Club is the place to start the day. Oh, do I love this menu! Smoothies, Kombuchas, Moroccan Mint Ginger Lemonade, and a global menu ranging from Shakshuka to Okonomiyaki pancakes,
a Gravlax platter, avocado toast, and a glorious chia bowl. Freshly ground dark chocolate nut butter from the nut cream machine was like feasting on healthy Nutella. Dinner at Orania is a must to experience Chef Vogel’s signa- ture XBerg Peking Duck dinner for two. Inspired by Chef Vogel’s years working in Shanghai, it’s a four-course duck adventure through Asia, inspired by Japanese, Thai, and Chinese prepa- rations of the legendary dish. Music is the soul of the Orania ex- perience, with 20 live concerts a
the weekly flea markets or from the “free” piles. Everyone rides bikes and works on multiple projects. I imagine there are probably as many struggling/working DJs in Berlin as struggling/working actors in New York City. Orania.Berlin is at the border of what was East Berlin,100 meters from where the Berlin Wall stood. In 2017, Orania.Berlin opened in a restored historic building, the first independent luxury hotel in Kreuz- berg. The new hotel signaled the
gentrification of Kreuzberg, and the community rebelled. Protest- ers smashed the floor-to-ceiling windows and covered the newly restored historic landmark in graffiti. Jennifer and Philipp Vogel, the intelligent, energetic young couple running the hotel, under- stood the resistance to change. They decided to keep the smashed
month. All the artists are Berlin-based, and the concerts are free. Whether you come to Orania.Berlin to stay, enjoy a free concert, cocktails, X-Berg Duck, or just a coffee; you will love it. orania.berlin –DEBBIE SILVER
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