Airporthotel Berlin Adlershof

Decent for a European airport Berlin is a decent airport but could do with some renovation. The time it takes to walk to the gate is a bit of a problem - this seems to be a design flaw. The time at security is also huge by the standards of some airports, but overall I rate it pretty highly and the supposedly great airports in Asia are not that much different.

Decent hotel, but not very close to the airport It did not start very well; I arrived at the hotel at 1 pm and was told that check-in will be at 3 pm. Fair enough, but usually hotels are more than happy to check guests in a few hours before the official check-in time if they have rooms available. Not here. I asked whether the hotel is full, and the only reply I received was that they cannot promise me a room before 3 pm. Strict policy, it seems, and extremely un-customer-friendly one at that. None of the receptionists were unfriendly as such, one might best describe them as being a bit indifferent. I returned at 3 pm and was promptly checked in. I had booked a single room, but received a handicapped double room instead. It was the biggest room on my floor and came with a roomy accesible bathroom. The room was, obviously, of good size. The bed was comfortable, but the duvet was very narrow. There was a desk and chair as well as two armchairs. The room had A/C, wifi, a safe and a complimentary 0.75 L bottle of water, which was much appreciated. There was room for a fridge, but it had been removed at some point. Wifi was easy to use, fast and reliable. The thin curtains did nothing to keep the room dark, so bring an eyemask if you want to sleep in darkness. The bathroom came with a roll-in shower. Water pressure in the handheld shower was excellent. Amenities consisted of one wall-mounted container of ”hand, hair & body soap”, which was not impressive at all. In addition, there was a single-use minibottle of body lotion. Brekafast would have been available on the ground floor breakfast room from 6:30 to 10 (weekends 7:30 to 11) at the cost of 15 € (prepaid on arrival) or 17 € (paid in the breakfast room), but I did not give it a try. There is a nice Italian restaurant one block away (Due Amici), which is a good alternative for lunch and dinner. The hotel is located in Adlershof, a suburb 20 min away from Alexanderplatz on the S-Bahn, every 20 minutes. The S-Bahn will also take you to the airport in 17 minutes, every ten minutes. The hotel is one tram stop away from the S-Bahn station, and the tram stops right in front of the hotel. Opposite the hotel you have Kaufland, a hypermarket open from 7 am till 10 pm (closed on Sundays). However, despite the name, this is not really an airport hotel. There is no shuttle and the ride to the airport will take time. The hotel is categorized as a three-star and fits that category just fine. There is nothing that entices me to stay here again – I might, but only if it is the cheapest option in the area.

Good value for money and good location within the area I am rating this 4 stars out of 5 because of the value for money - for a long stay our nightly price worked out well. The hotel comprises what looks like an original tall building which seems to have incorporated a lower building at the back, behind it, and this back section has been newly refurbished and that’s where I was staying. I stayed in a double room with kitchenette, desk, comfy double bed, small raised table and two stools, plenty of storage and a spacious shower room. The plus points are: *Location right next to huge Kaufland supermarket and with the tram stop right outside. It’s about 5 minutes walk to Adlershof S Bahn Station. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants around it. *Nice quality refurb with airport theme *Fantastic shower with two different heads and great water pressure *Good kitchenette with small fridge, freezer compartment, plug in induction ring, Nespresso machine, microwave with grill function. *Reception open 24 hours *Plentiful reception staff *Aircon in this part of the building although it is centrally controlled so no choice of temperature. *Windows open multi ways so you can safely leave them open while out even in the ground floor *Relatively quiet road especially at night and weekends Minus points are: -Lack of housekeeping staff means they officially only clean the rooms every three days. In reality they only came on my fourth day when I made a fuss. Even then they didn’t replenish the loo paper, tissues, coffee capsules, water or the bath mat. I had already had to take my own bins out as they were beginning to smell (given that one cooks in the kitchen) and had to go twice to reception to get loo paper. I feel the bins ought to be emptied more often or they provide you with bin bags and instructions in where to put the rubbish so you can do it yourself. -Lack of information. Why not tell guests where the laundry room is (on the first floor opposite room 108) or where the gym is or that you have to hold the door of the safe closed for it to stay locked otherwise it opens again. -Kitchen utensils were a bit skimpy. I had to ask several times for a sharp knife and a teaspoon but got them in the end. I was denied a tin opener or sieve so had to buy these. There was also no dishcloth, tea towel or washing up liquid which are pretty basic things. Again, had to buy these along with Tupperware boxes. Would also have appreciated a deep cereal type bowl and a wine glass but can manage without. -The aircon comes on with a noise at random times including at night and takes a bit of getting used to if you are not a deep sleeper -The Nespresso machine has a hot water function but if it has ever been used for coffee you will only get coffee flavoured water from the single water spout. For Brits who love their kettles you will probably have to make do by boiling your water for tea on the hob. *Provided two small bottles of body lotion but no shampoo *Could do with more than four clothes hangers for a long stay *There is no iron/ironing board in the laundry room so you have to ask for this and was told it’s pot luck if you can get it or not depending on who else is using it (makes me wonder if there is only one). The laundry room would be the place to put it surely?

Don’t go Not friendly atmosphere, we were woken up by knocking at the door at 8 am by cleaning ladies. And it happened 4 times in a row - they not only knocked but opened the door!! It’s unbelievable! We checked in the hotel at 3am - we were tired after long way and they woke up us several times at night! Even no free complementary water! For this money I am not satisfied at all!

Not so good I have been in this hotel for three nights on a business trip. Staff at the reception is quite cold, not so frendly. I was given a double room to be used as a single. I got two separate single beds, quite narrow. The furniture is not so good. No mini bar. The shower has an old-style plastic curtain. The breakfast is ok, although you have to ask waitresses to bring again what gets finished. Wifi is for free and available in room, working fine. Overall, I will try another place, next time.