Dad's hotel in Berlin

QUESTION: I am taking my aged father on holiday to Germany. I am making the bookings, but he has asked me to find a specific hotel in Berlin, which remembers visiting decades back. He says the hotel was in a historic building, smart and close to the Brandenburg Gate. My agent has given me a list of hotels in the area, but he does not recognise the name. Perhaps you may have suggestions that could assist me in identifying the hotel he might be referring to. - Rory Klein

ANSWER: Hotels come and go, but the most famous hotel overlooking the Brandenburg Gate is the Hotel Adlon Kempinski. It celebrates its' 100th birthday this year, so may fit the bill. The hotel was renovated to five-star standard ten years ago and is pretty pricey. A room is likely to cost you around 300-400 US dollars a night. Less costly options close to the gate include the Melia Berlin Hotel, the NH Hotel Berlin-Mitte and the Dorint Sofitel Am Gendarmenmarkt Berlin Hotel.