The Adlon is famous for being famous, but as Raffles says, it is a Kempinski. I stayed there a couple of years ago and swore never to return. The lobby swarms with tourists and convention groups, coupled with political VIPs that dominate staff. The suites are OK, but are hardly amazing. Ours had a view of the Brandenberg Gate, but was lacking in more basic comforts.

I agree that the rooms at R-C are boring. Having stayed in a suite on the Club Floor, even that underwhelmed, apart from the super comfortable bed. I used to be a big fan of the Four Seasons Berlin, but since its demise, nothing has emerged to take its place, apart from Hotel de Rome, which is better decoratively than R-C.