Typical W Hotel: hip, comfortable, a bit minimalist in the rooms. The lobby is more like a lounge/club with large over-sized chairs, cozy seating areas, a fireplace, all across from a long bar. Only spent one night, but would stay there next time I'm in Minneapolis.

Stayed there mid-August 2003. Rooms are comfortable, across the street from a park and palace. Easy walking distance to the center of town, but far enough to avoid the noise...

Based on a July, 2008 visit:

A “new” luxury hotel opens in Düsseldorf. The Breidenbacher Hof (Koenigsallee 11, Dusseldorf, Germany), a grand old luxury hotel that once housed Tzar Alexander II closed its doors in 1999 for renovation. Nine years later, and following a complete rebuilding (i.e., the original hotel is no more), the Breidenbacher Hof is open for business again. Located on one of Dusseldorf’s most bustling shopping streets and only minutes by foot from the old part of town (Altstadt), the hotel had been rebuilt as a true luxury hotel.

The high-ceilinged marble entranceway with reception and conceriege on the right, leads to a club-like living room for hotel guests only. Staffed by a hotel attendant, coffee, cocktails and other light refreashments are served. I waited for my room (having arrived at 7am) and was surprised with a complementary upgrade from a Capella Room (e.g., a Junior Suite) to a significantly larger Executive Suite. Well appointed with rich wooden shelves and paneling and marble floors, the living room was larger than many one-bedroom apartments. An impressive dressing/closet area led to a sizeable bathroom complete with oversized sunken bathtub, large shower with both hand-held nozzle and overhead rain-pan head. A separate area contained the toilet and bidet. Plenty of counter-top space between the two full-sized sinks and recessed television in the main mirror. Bath products by Etro and towels and other lines by Pratesi.

The suite also contained two large plasma flat-screen television sets and all internal functioning (air, lights, do not disturb) are controlled from central panels in the bed and living rooms. As opposed to many systems, the controls in the Breidenbacher Hof were very simple to use. For a hotel that only opened it doors five weeks ago, the service was first class and many of the “kinks” often found in a new hotel were absent. For example, I needed to have several items of clothes laundered quickly. The hotel staff was expeditious in their laundering. Although I was only there for one night, I would return to the Breidenbacher Hof in a heartbeat to spend several more days. A hotel not only with a past, but with a bright future as well. Highly recommended.

Formerly the home to Incredible Adventures Moscow Jet Flights, Zhukovskiy houses the Gromov Flight Research Institute where test pilots (all former military) demo the newest additions/improvements to Russian Fighters. Until a few years ago, civilians could pay their way through Incredible Adventures and go for a 40-60 minute ride in a Supersonic Fighter. The company still operates, but out of Nishny... A must for adrenaline junkies!