Amidst all the challenges of the global pandemic, Phantasialand somehow managed to open the spectacular new themed world Rookburgh, including the world’s first flying launch coaster, F.L.Y.

On the one year anniversary of Hotel Charles Lindbergh opening to guests for the first time, we were finally able to become members of the Explorers' Society.

The new hotel includes 109 rooms themed as aeronaut cabins, dinner and breakfast served in Restaurant Uhrwerk and exclusive access to Bar 1919. 

Hotel Charles Lindbergh

Upon arrival at Phantasialand we used the Explorers' Society parking area, exclusively for guests of the hotel, and made our way towards the imposing industrial facade where entry is provided via an intercom system. Once inside, you find yourself in a baggage hall and then follow the signs to check-in. The stylish lobby has a pair of check-in pods and offers tantalising first glimpses into Rookburgh.

As part of check-in all guests are presented with an aeronaut briefing pack that contains a welcome to the Explorers' Society and all the information you could possibly need for your stay. Here you will find the key card for your cabin, the Flight Map of the hotel, your Boarding Pass for the park, and the exclusive Charles Lindbergh Ticket that provides quicker access to F.L.Y.

There are five Boarding Gates (the wings of the hotel) and each has four or six levels of cabins. The walkways between them offer spectacular views of Rookburgh, with unique perspectives of the area that only hotel guests can enjoy.

Each cabin is modest in size, but finished to a very high standard. They sleep up to 2 people in single beds, but cabins can be linked to accommodate larger group sizes. A mixture of quality materials including wood, leather and brass has been used to create a premium feel. There are clever design features throughout, especially in the ensuite bathrooms, making great use of the available space.

There is so much to see in Rookburgh that you're unlikely to spend a lot of time in your cabin, but for the essential time that you do, a good night's sleep is ensured and all the essentials like WiFi and TV are provided.

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Rookburgh by day

For quite a while we could barely take our eyes off the view from the hotel walkways, especially from the centrally located observation deck. The intricate scenery of towers, cranes and docks, balloons and airships, and even a locomotive, was unlike anything we have seen before. We were fascinated just watching the multiple trains on F.L.Y. whooshing through, sometimes gently gliding and other times rushing by, in and out of the hotel, above and below the walkways and buildings.

It was immediately clear that is not a hotel next to a theme park, it's a hotel inside and very much part of a theme park. The two parts are barely indistinguishable from each other. It's a masterpiece of design and innovation that will hopefully be the inspiration for theme parks around the world.

Making use of the exclusive entrance to Rookburgh (park visitors enter via a tunnel on Alt Berlin), we took our first steps into this highly immersive steampunk inspired world, where every inch of every surface has been meticulously themed, all adding to layer upon layer of storytelling.

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F.L.Y.

F.L.Y. occupies almost the entire themed area, passing over and under, around and through countless buildings and themed structures - it manages to lap the central towers of the hotel three times!

With our exclusive Charles Lindbergh Tickets in hand, we entered the dedicated entrance for hotel guests, bypassing almost the entire queue except a very small section between the lockers (for all loose items) and the station. This express entrance passes through the pre-show area so you don't miss out on anything.

After passing an impressively themed boiler room, you see the empty trains gliding into the underground station at a pace, with the seats facing the airgates where passengers eagerly await their turn. As the trains exit the station they pass through a dark ride section that further builds anticipation and the seats move seamlessly into the flying position. 

This latest generation of flying coaster by Vekoma is a marvel of engineering design, delivering a thrilling ride that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The two launches are forceful and unlike the common B&M flying coaster that seats four passengers per row, F.L.Y. has only two, offering all riders a good viewing position throughout the ride - no more restricted 'soles of shoes' middle seats. You might be wondering how it copes with getting through a high volume of guests - having four trains operating simultaneously takes care of that.

F.L.Y. is by far the most exhilarating flying coaster we have ever experienced. There are B&M flying coasters that are taller, faster and more forceful, but these sometimes lead to uncomfortable ride experiences. The old Vekoma flying coasters were pretty unpleasant to ride.

There are only two inversions, but with the number of hairpin turns, dives and twists that's in no way a limitation. It actually allows for a far more enjoyable ride that makes the most of the riders being held in a flying position, face down and towards whatever buildings, structures or bodies of water you may be rushing past at any given time.

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Restaurant Uhrwerk

Open to park visitors at lunch but exclusive to hotel guests at breakfast and dinner, the restaurant is especially atmospheric at night, dimly lit and cosy. Our table was so much in the dark that at first our waiter didn't spot us and seeing the food was a challenge until a few extra candles took care of that. The surprisingly comfortable tractor-style swivel seats were fun and the subtle industrial sounds added to the ambiance.

The menu is available as an impressively illustrated broadsheet style newspaper, or in multiple languages as a conveniently downloadable PDF on your smartphone through a QR code. The three course meal is included in the Adventure Package, so you are free to select whatever takes your fancy from the extensive offering without having to think about prices. This is no ordinary theme park restaurant, it's a high end dining experience.

Our top picks:

• Spicy Expedition: Poke bowl with salmon, spicy edamame, yellow beats, rice, ponzu cucumber, avocado, zoodles, roasted peanut, wasabi nut, wild herbs, coriander honey and ginger dressing.
• Golden Fritz: Parachute: Homemade french fries with pancetta, fried egg, parmesan and sour cream mayonnaise served with two homemade burgers, grilled iberico fillet and beef fillet, both on sesame brioche with tomato aioli, tomato salsa, guacamole, malt jus and red onion.

The service was impeccable; all the courses were served in a timely fashion, with delicious flavour combinations and hot to the table. The desserts were a little average in comparison, but as a complete dining experience we loved every moment of it. When we returned to the restaurant at breakfast we were presented with an extensive buffet, with all of the continental options that you would expect from a European hotel.

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Bar 1919

Located on the lower deck of Hotel Charles Lindbergh, the exclusive Bar 1919 is the place to be for pre-dinner drinks and the option of a game of pool or darts afterwards. The decor is sumptuous and the music is sophisticated. A selection of 15 craft beers are available from a vast network of taps mounted above the magnificent bar, but a perfectly curated range of cocktails are the star of the show.

In the daytime, should you wish to escape the excitement of the theme park for a moment of downtime then the bar is an ideal refuge. Thanks to the spacious outdoor terrace, situated on the edge of a water feature and tucked below the track of F.L.Y., guests are afforded a space to relax and unwind, with the occasional spectacle of the roller coaster flying overhead.

Our top picks:

• Brandy Alexander Twist: Cognac, White Cocoa, Salty Caramel. €9
• Orange Flight: Brown Tequila, Cointreau, Peach, Orange Jelly. €6

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Rookburgh by night

Rookburgh reopens to hotel guests at night, sadly without F.L.Y. in operation. Given the cost of the Adventure Package, the opportunity to ride in the dark should really be factored in. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the opportunity to explore Rookburgh in the evening. Illuminated from every angle, bathed in blue and golden light, it looks spectacular. With many hotel guests only admiring the view from the hotel walkways, we had the streets of Rookburgh almost to ourselves.

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Zum Kohleschipper

At lunchtime on our second day at the park we couldn't resist trying the freshly prepared gourmet sandwiches from this little kiosk. These aren't just sandwiches, they're Rookburgh sandwiches! With a selection of warm toppings, homemade bread and sauces, each sandwich is made to order.

Our top picks:

• Sesame brioche with herb cream cheese, scrambled eggs, tomato, cheddar, parsley pesto, baby spinach and fried onions. €7.20
• Craft malt bun with marinated pork neck, coarse mustard, malt honey dressing, endive, fried onions, BBQ mayonnaise, caramelised apples and malt hop sauce. €8.50

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Emilie's Chocoladen & Candy Workshop

This charming confectionary shop offers a range of handmade chocolates and sweets. It's a very nicely presented store, and getting to watch the chocolatiers at work is a novelty.

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More to discover!

Of course Rookburgh is just one of many elaborately themed worlds at Phantasialand, a theme park home to several world-class attractions.

Find out more in our previous review.

Adventure Package

• Exclusive access to Hotel Charles Lindbergh
• Spending the night in an aeronaut cabin
• Phantasialand Boarding Pass: per person, at least two days theme park access
• Charles Lindbergh Ticket: per person, once a day faster access to F.L.Y.
• A 3-course dinner at Restaurant Uhrwerk
• A buffet breakfast at Restaurant Uhrwerk
• Private access to the theme park directly from the hotel
• Exclusive access to Bar 1919

A 1-night stay for 2 people starts at €399

Book the Adventure Package now: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +49 (0)2232 36-666