Arte Luise Kunsthotel - Berlin, Germany     

I first tried to book two rooms at this hotel last November via the hotel website. Unbeknown to me, our booking was not activated and so when I called to confirm a week before we were due to travel I was told we could only have two single rooms without bathrooms. As we needed to be near the train station and as we had so little time left to find an alternative, I agreed. The rooms were not ready when we arrived so we left our bags and returned at 4pm. We had to carry our cases up three flights of stairs and down a long, narrow corridor to the rooms. What we found could best be described as 'spartan'. The rooms were very clean but very small, furnished with metal-framed, slatted beds with very thin mattresses. The rooms had no washbasins, no bedside lights and cheap blinds but no curtains. The bathrooms were at the other end of the corridor. My 6' 4" brother, who had travelled all the way from Australia was not impressed. In fact, he was very tired and very angry. We refused the rooms and left at 4.30pm. The staff were apologetic but not overly concerned. I had booked this hotel for its proximity to the station, not because of the room rates. We found an acceptable hotel nearby at twice the price which we were happy to pay for the extra comfort. This hotel polarises opinion. For middle-aged and/or weary travellers I would say 'think carefully before you book'. It may be trendy, but it isn't comfotable.

I had such a good time at this hotel in the summer of 2007 and feel that some of the negative reviews are not doing justice to the institution. My husband and I stayed for 3 nights, two at a newly renovated building and one at the old one. Unfortunately, the latter is not equipped with air conditioning and double glazing. Maybe that's why some gave out such harsh reviews. But the rooms in the new building are just amazing. Our room decorated as a bird's nest overlooked the parliament building, which was fantastic at night. And the room was right next to the train track but we could not hear a thing with the window closed. I remember my husband marveling at the German technology! The room becomes cold as soon as you turn the air conditioner on. The lobby is very arty, the backyard picturesque, and the location great. This hotel deserves much more than 3.5. Do not let negative reviews discourage you.