Hotel Palace Berlin - Berlin, Germany     

I met some friends in Berlin and stayed the first night at the Palace Hotel - primarily because it is one of the few central Berlin hotels with a swimming pool. To women travelling alone -- never take the first room you're offered. The Palace was a perfect example of this. I booked one night through Hotels.com (even so, not inexpensive) and they put me in the worst room in the house. Not only was it miniscule and cramped in every way, but it stank of stale cigarrete smoke, dingy, tired and peeling wallpaper - no view, no air. It was gross. I called the front desk and asked to see a different room - and they showed me an out-dated junior-ish suite. At least it was a clean, non-smoking room with some space. Later, my mother-in-law explained to me that they keep rooms like the first one they showed in many European hotels for the hired help - a chauffeur or nanny who may be travelling with a wealthy family. She hypothosized that because I was a single woman, travelling alone and that I had booked online, they assumed that I would be docile or something, and take the first room that I was offered. That said, the swimming pool really was beautiful (though a bit small) - with wonderful scenes painted around it - and the upgraded room a relief - sheets were clean and the room was good enough. Overall, the people were kind, the lobby is fun to sit in, and the experience was ultimately worth the price that I paid for it. Travel Note: I did ask the concierge for dinner recommendation and he sent us off to a restauraunt that was on a back street and had OK German food, but certainly wasn't a winner. Clearly a case of the kickbacks. Kickbacks are fine as long as the restaurant is great or hard to get into. Lesson learned: When staying at the Palace, pick your own restaurant. Don't ask the concierge to do it for you.

I stayed 4 nights in the hotel to attend a conference. The first thing which appealed to me is the very central location of the Palace Hotel...it is really in the hart of Berlin (next to the shopping street and next to the parks). This is a huge advantage when one is attending a conference. The hotel is not "brand new" or "very design"...but it is not outdated or looking old either. Just say it is not the hippest place in town. The service however is simply perfect; the staff does its best to make your stay an unforgettable event, all of them are so friendly, we really enjoyed this. What I really enjoyed is the breakfast buffet.....a large selection of fresh fruits is part of it...even buttermilk is available. They have different kinds of tea. I looked forward every morning for the breakfast experience in this hotel. (they have a choice of 5 free newspapers 3 German ones and 2 in English at your breakfast table). The SPA was also very nice, they have a finnish sauna next to the iglo room where you can cool down. The swimming pool was nice as well and there's enough space on the SPA terrace to relax and have a drink. They know how make you feel well. As usual in Northern Germany, you can go nude into the sauna and the adjecent public showers (but not at the swimming pool). The temperature of the sauna was "? point" and the herbs they use gave a pleasant smell. The only minus is that you need to pay an additional 7? to use the sauna (but not the swimming pool, which is for free) Our room was perfectly cleaned up every day. They send in a "controller" to check the work of the cleaning staff. Again, the staff is very friendly Our room was very large and spacious, I enjoyed it For me an internet connection is important. They offer wireless and LAN internet...the quality was "broadband" as well the price...I don't see why one has to pay 88? for a week., I don't need to put coins in the shower even to get it working :( I was very pleased with the overall and outstanding quality of this hotel.