Here is my review of the SO Berlin Das Stue.
I spent three nights there as a Diamond member booking through Amex FHR on a rate that included upgrade ( subject to availability (unrelated to the Diamond status), breakfast for 2 daily, a $100 food credit (€95), guaranteed late check out and early check in subject to availability. The rate was reasonable given the winter time.
There is a lot to like about this hotel and a few things to like less.
1) Location:
To me, this is probably the hotel's weakest point at least from my own perspective and preferences .The hotel is situated in West Berlin (though technically in Mitte) in a quiet area on the edge of the Tiergarten. Now, Berlin is a multi-centre city so East, West, etc will be up to everyone's preference (I personally like the West a bit less so not great for me but ok) but mostly, I wasn't so keen on the quiet area. Considering that Berlin is great for public transport, this hotel is not particularly convenient to public transport. There is a bus stop (bus 200, fairly convenient) about 7 minutes away, but for instance, for transport to/from the airport, you'd need to go to either Tiergarten or (better served) Zoo station, both of which are about 20 minutes walk away, most shortly via the park which can be a pretty bad choice in the winter on a cold or rainy day.
There are silver linings - the KaDeWe is about 20 minutes walk away, the Philarmonie about the same along the Tiergarten, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag about 30 minutes walk again via the Tiergarten.
2) Style, welcome, and status recognition
This, on the other hand is undoubtedly a strong point. This is a boutique hotel in a very beautiful building. The common parts are really enjoyable and the decoration style is tasteful and elegant.
On balance, I found the welcome very good (not least by German standards which is not always the warmest). I had booked an entry room Stue room and was given a one category update to an embassy room.... but it was a really stunning embassy room, probably one of the nicest in the house - top floor with large bay windows, huge terrace with a view towards the Tiergarten and a glimpse of the Alex tower, bathroom with free standing bathtub, etc. If I am honest, I think I preferred a one category upgrade to that particular embassy room than to say, the higher category junior suites which would have been larger but without the same terrace and the likes.
Welcome treats were awaiting me in the room - a handwritten note, bottle of cava in an ice bucket, plate of fruit (only two of which were apples!
), and a plate with a few chocolate truffles, macaroons, etc.
3) Rooms:
As I said, I really loved my room. Beyond the specific room choice, decor is nice (though the furniture is not in perfect shape) mostly in whites and with modern and comfortable furniture.
The bed is comfortable (but not my favourite) and at least has a regular kind duvet (not that usual in Germany!) There is a Nespresso machine though with some generic pods as well as a mini bar. There is a large screen tv with lots of German channels and a very limited selection of non German ones (annoyingly, there were three film channels but impossible to get the original version, only the German dubbed stuff).
The room has a decently intelligent and intuitive power system (better than most), thick curtains, one touch electric stores for the night, The bathroom has separate rainshower and tub (note: Stue room are shower only), separate toilet and a single fancy but not very practical sink. Somehow, the taps are hard to master the hot/cold settings. There are bathrobes and slippers.
Rooms are serviced twice daily. The morning service was typically fairly early as was turndown. Service was a bit uneven. Coffee pods not replenished one day (but were once I requested them), only one day was I asked if I wanted the complimentary water still or sparkling (other days, was automatically given still only whilst they had both and I prefer sparkling! I think that's even on my profile somewhere), etc.
4) Food:
Breakfast is elegant and generous. A good quality buffet, lots of food, sparkling wine, high quality pastries, various smoked fish, meat and cheese, yoghurts, etc. A bit repetitive (nothing really changed) but good. You also have a selection of hot dishes made to order (full breakfast, omelettes, but also avocado toast, huevos rancheros, the usual series of Benedict and shakshuka). Good coffee and a generally enjoyable experience.
I didn't try the restaurant but had room service. The menu is limited (burger, currywurst, wienerschnitzel, pasta). The schnitzel was decent and generous though in my view warming the potato-cucumber salad was weird.
As I booked through Amex (a fully eligible rate) the drink voucher didn't show on the app (and wasn;'t proposed pro-actively) but when I asked I was immediately told to just tell the bar I was entitled to a free drink and the person checking me in would put a note which was indeed done. I only had that on my third night but there was no problem whatsoever. When I prudently asked what I was entitled to as a free drink, I was told "whatever you want". I didn't go for the most expensive stuff on the menu (I'm not like that!!) but still asked if "whatever I wanted" would include a glass of a very nice Japanese whisky and was told "of course". Excellent and very nice atmosphere in the bar area too.
5) Recreation and other services:
Internet is free, fast, and efficient.
There is a gym which I didn't try but also a small but enjoyable swimming pool and a small but nice sauna (German style so textile free though you get the occasional American trying to keep their clothes on to the anger of the locals). Pool and sauna were a bit busier at the weekend but reasonably quiet otherwise when I went and I very much enjoyed both.
There are also bikes for rental.
OVERALL:
A very high quality boutique hotel, stylish, elegant, welcoming, with very good levels of service and good status recognition. To me the key limit is the location which is not ideal for me and I would also have appreciated a bit more options on the room service menu, Very good stay nonetheless.