Maritim proArte Hotel Berlin - Berlin, Germany     

There is really nothing to be worried about seeing where the Maritim Pro Arte is in the League table of Berlin Hotels. It's a two minute walk from Fredrichstrasse station (underground and surburban trains) in what was the old East of the City. Plenty of building work going on, but not a problem. Plenty of shops/small supermarkets/food outlets around. One hotel entrance is on Fredrichstrasse, but the main one is up a side street, Dorotheenstrasse. Most of the accommodation looks out on this and it's really much quieter thanks to the roadblock nearby outside the American Embassy (200 metres away). Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate are an easy ten minute walk away. Reception is what you would expect. Calm, modern, and looks good. Staff are friendly and efficient. We'd booked a Junior Suite and were given a room on the tenth floor. Rooftop view, but you couldn't really see any of the landmarks except if you opened the window and stuck your head out, then you could spot the famous TV Tower. Couldn't fault how the room looked. The only problem was noise (music) coming from the floor below late on the first night The duty manager on reception sorted it out immediately. We found out the problem was the occupant of the Presidential Suite treating it too much like a home from home. We were moved to a (quiet) one bedroom suite on floor nine. Very nice. This had a door between sitting room and bedroom and seemed a little bigger than the junior suite. By the way, anybody in a suite or superior room has access to free food and drink from 0630 to 2200 in the Club Lounge. Couldn't believe more people didn't take advantage of this. Also one free internet terminal in there. Breakfast in the main restaurant seemed expensive at 23 euros each. The free croissants and muffins in the Club Lounge were more than enough. Again very friendly staff. Wellness Centre - pool 12 meters long. Anymore than three people swimming lengths and it would be crowded. Water temperature - cool! Open from 0700-2200, but if you want to use the sauna between 0900 and 1700 you have to give them 30 minutes advance warning. Only three pieces of gym kit (treadmill, cross trainer and one other) but hardly anyone was there, so no probelms. Tip. If coming from Tegal Airport. Look for the 128 bus. Pay driver for ticket and get off at Karl Scumacher Platz. (5 minute journey). You can get the underground direct to Friedrichstrasse from there. Ticket machines at entrance - tickets have to be vaildated. Worth getting a Berlin Welcome card from official Tourist Information points.16.50 euros for 48 hours... 21.50 euros for 72 hours for Greater Berlin area. Again they must be validated in machines on buses/trams or at U bahn and S bahn stations before first journey. Backtime it for when you need to go to the airport again and get a free journey! Would I go back to this hotel again - yes.

This hotel was in an excellent location, within walking distance of Brandenburg gate and the museum island. There are great restaurants and other attractions also close by. Access to public transportation is also very close. It took about 15 minutes to get to and from the Tegel airport (~18 euro fare). The hotel was developed around a very nice idea of putting modern art from different artist all over the hotel and a different artist on every floor. Unfortunately, it is not easy to access floors, room key gives you access to only your floor. The hotel itself has little charm and a few over priced restuarnts. The breakfast buffet in the Gallerie restaurant was good with food options for travelers from the US and Europe. Internet access was 15 euros a night. Rooms were shabby and needed to be refurbished. Liquid handsoap was in the shower with no other common items like shampoo, bar soap, lotion, rooms have no iron. All things you would expect at a Hotel of this prices and one that claims to be for business travelers. Hotel staff were nice but poorly prepared for large crowds.