History

The history of the Hotel-Pension Dittberner begins in the 1930s, specifically in 1936. Two sisters, Anne-Louise and Wally (f.) Dittberner offered accommodation for older women. During the horrors of World War II, Frau Wally Dittberner would comfort her guests during the nightly bombing raids, as they were too infirm to use available air raid shelters, and she felt responsible for their safety. The post-war era brought with it its own challenges, and ushered in a new and important chapter in the history of the Hotel-Pension Dittberner.

The early postwar years were marked by the arduous task of rebuilding and a slow return to normal life.

Elly Dittberner who grew up with her aunts Anne-Louise and Wally took over the family business. Thanks to Elly, the Dittberner regained its original charm, even though the building had been badly damaged by incendiary bombs. Along with a young anti-aircraft gunner, she shoveled the rubble from the roof into the garden and began to rebuild.

Visitors from both the western and Soviet zones of Germany, as well as Jewish emigrés came and stayed in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin. They chose to overnight along the Kurfürstendamm, between West Berlin’s Radio Tower and the Memorial Church. They came to visit their former homes, to rediscover their culture, after years of Nazi barbarism, and to see if there was anything left of their former homes in the ruins of Berlin. The big question: was it worth trying to rebuild a life in Germany?

The convenient location, reasonably-priced rooms, the familial atmosphere, and the interesting and open-minded hosts of the Hotel-Pension Dittberner gave guests a home. In the evening, discussions turned to fond memories of the twenties and thirties, the rich cultural life that had been a feature of pre-war Berlin, but they also spoke of the horrors of Nazism.

Hilda Bernstein, who later became a good friend of the family, recommended the small pension on the Kurfürstendamm to her friends. She told all her friends and acquaintances, who visited Berlin, Here you have a place to live, here you feel comfortable, here you are among good people.

The rooms then were rather improvised, the guests felt at home during their stay. An Englishman once wrote in our guest book, Your home is my castle! Berlin was – and it still may be – like a seismograph, which registers any and all disturbances of a political or economic nature, which are felt in the hotel industry.

Ludwig Lange lends an artistic flair.

The connection between art and hotel gives the Hotel Pension Dittberner its distinctive character.

1958 — Chruschtschow-Ultimatum

14^th of December – a statement by the three Western powers, who declared the demand of the Soviet occupation forces as unacceptable. Berliners were nervous, many left the city and guests stayed away! The situation started to calm down again the following year. The three Western powers gave guarantees of security, but new problems were to come.

1961 — The building of the Berlin Wall

Everyone realized what this would mean. Many tears, no staff (because at that time they came from the eastern part of town) and empty rooms!

1962 — The first Soviet harassment of Western aircraft in the air corridors, Cuban Missile Crisis

The hotel was almost booked out due to exhibitions, as a guest suddenly came at midday and nervously asked for his bill. Shortly thereafter, the second, third, fourth requests for early check-out. Only one guest remained. With desperation, Elly Lange went through the rooms, and could not understand it. Why? What had happened? Then the last remaining guest blurted out, I want my bill immediately, quick, quick, I’m leaving on the next flight out. A student is going to drive my car home for me. The Russians are coming. So, now it was clear what was going on! A period of great uncertainty began.

1963 — Kennedy in Berlin

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of this city, and therefore I am proud to say, Ich bin ein Berliner.
The crowd roared at the mention of these exhilarating and liberating words, that were personally important to us. The spectre of danger was lifted.

The Wall became an attraction, conferences and meetings were arranged, all kinds of events took place.

Many hotels were built, which meant more comfort and competition, but the number of guests at that time was still modest. After the war, Berliners and Germans were accustomed to privations, so the modest Hotel Pension Dittberner survived. We struggled with constant shortages, defects but at the same time were always able and willing to fulfill the wishes of our guests.

Elly Lange fondly remembers a foreign guest – yes, there were communication barriers – who saw her just before he left the hotel at midnight, and saw her again behind the reception counter when he returned from a night on the town at 6 a.m. and mentioned in a surprised tone, you work non-stop!. The two were able to share a laugh. This story remains unforgotten.

People got used to the border and access routes to Berlin, and so the number of guests began to grow steadily. The guests were from all professional groups, business, politics, the arts, but also simple tourists.

1970 — Rebuilding the hotel to meet contemporary needs and demands

1989 — The fall of the Berlin Wall

The whole world converged on Berlin. The city experienced a boom that would have been unimaginable forty or fifty years ago.

2009 — Economic Crisis

Measured against the hard years of war and the postwar period and the miracle of reunification, we hope to overcome this current crisis.

Guest comment on their stay at the Hotel Pension Dittberner:

• Upon arrival, you’re attuned to Berlin with its many cultural amenities and the terrific location near the Kurfürstendamm with its shops, restaurants and cafes. — a guest
• The sounds of this famous boulevard are noticeable, but without being irritating. — a guest
• The Dittberner provides a great little oasis. — a guest