Hi, I’ve not had my first coffee of the day yet so forgive me in not fully following the maths (edit to add presumably you have up to 40k points to spend). I have a very big soft spot for the IC Berlin - I always feel comfortable there and has for many years been a well-run example of the IC brand. It is not ‘luxury’ or ‘opulent’ in the way the IC Paris (Le Grand) or Bordeaux / Amsterdam could be said to be. It feels like a large conference / business hotel but with a ‘personality’. It works perfectly for Berlin, in my view. You will get correct, helpful, service from front desk. Don’t expect people to go the extra mile in terms of upgrades but they won’t play games with you, either. Very consistent in my experience - and very responsive to emails. I have been able to confirm upgrades in advance. For a few years I’d even book direct with in house reservations & say “if I want to stay in x room please quote” and they’d confirm the booking with upgrade there & then.

Marlene bar is very comfortable, with good service. Solid club lounge, again generally staffed with experienced staff who have seen it all before.

Location is on a quiet-ish street close to zoo and park.

The Regent is much more ‘classic’ in design and I agree is more centrally located. It feels more formal and I believe used to be a Four Seasons. As you can see from the above review, it’s far more ‘chintzy’. The IC feels large but ‘open’ / uncluttered - which is what I love about it - it focuses on getting the basics of being an IC right without ‘going mad’ - and I feel, architecturally, the IC feels very Berlin. IE it suits the city and feels part of it. In my view, Berlin has a bit of a laid back, anything goes, kind of vibe.

If the IC is available I would personally not hesitate to book it. However if you have never stayed in a Regent before and are looking for higher end luxury rather than comfortable upscale I would spend the extra on the Regent and try it.