wkndtraveler

I'm afraid that there is still limitation with the lounge access. If the occupancy is high, they most likely won't let platinums to get in unless one have booked a room with the access. During my stay, the occupancy was low.

Breakfast at the lounge is okay: selections of a few different cheeses and cold cuts, gravlax, fresh cheese, wide spread of breads and pastries, basic veggies, fruit salad, yoghurt, and muesli. You'll get your stomach full if you wish so. Bacon and scrambled eggs are the only hot items. If one wish to have something else, for example omelette, waffles, pancakes, they costs extra now.

Goldorak

Hi wkndtraveller !
I read your review of your last stay in the other thread. You were saying you were very happy of the stay, but you were listing a certain number of issues (false upgrade, no more warm options at breakfast, charging you for the breakfast the day of your early check-in, birthday celebration forgotten, etc) which would have not make me happy at all. After my stay there and reading your new review, this hotel still leaves me a kind of bitter taste in the mouth. It is clearly a good hotel, but their Elite treatment is just non satisfactory IMHO.
And when you say in your post I am quoting above that the extended lounge is not that much extended and so it will be still difficult for Platinum members to access the lounge is a real pity and just show that they don't want to grant this access.
For my next stay in Berlin (nothing planned yet), I am still debating to return there or to go somewhere else, because I didn't like at all the way they handle loyalty. I understand you feel differently and there's certainly nothing bad with that as they have treated you rather well until now, but I am just missing a WOW effect or something approaching at least.

wkndtraveler

My stay was satisfactory enough, yes. It could have been better but nothing was really wrong and I received all the benefits I should. If I didn't, the review would have been more negative.

Cons that I listed in my review were more observations on what the hotel could or should do better. I, for example, had breakfast included in my room rate so I was satisfied with that in a main restaurant where I was able to enjoy complimentary Eggs Benedict and sparkling wine. I just wanted to express my opinion on the lounge breakfast, too. If one would like to have full buffet breakfast, book a room with breakfast.

The room upgrade from luxury to luxury club room is an official upgrade as far as I know and the room was large enough and had nice views so I decided to keep it and not to complain. Of course, it would have been nice to receive junior suite or something but the room I got was just fine.

The poor fruit platter as a welcome gift was the most disappointing element but then I have received similar VIP treatment in other Sofitels, too. On the other hand, I value more personal service over the fruits as a VIP treatment such as someone from the staff showing your room and coming later to chat with you.

What comes to the birthday present, I should have ordered a cake and pay for it to be honest if I wanted to make sure there is something in the room waiting for us. But yes, the elite treatment isn't their strength here. They do only what they are forced to do by LCAH.

I feel the same but also understand their stringency: the lounge really is small. However, always when I have been at the hotel the lounge haven't been full.

I agree that wow factor is still missing. For me, the location of this hotel is better than the other Sofitel in the city and I prefer to stay at Sofitel. If they some day won't let me in to the lounge, that's my last stay at this hotel I guess.

fransknorge

wkndtraveler, thanks for the detailed information. I will see how it goes next weeek, hopefully I will secure lounge access. I would be annoyed to pay for breakfast considering it is 30 Euros per night.

wkndtraveler

You are welcome.

Add to my previous post: considering what I paid vs. what I got, I find the hotel good value for money. I paid 100€ per night including breakfast for two.

fransknorge

I have a rate if 100 EUR per night without breakfast, for a Superior Room.
I got an e-mail from the hotel answering my request about lounge availability, specifically asking about the mornings. They are saying "Tough titties, if you want to guarantee lounge access please book an executive room". I am thinking of replying that lounge access it also guaranteed for Platinium member ?
I might add I am not very happy about this stay due to the booking process being painful and buggy, including the impossibility to use points without other reason than "it does not work".

wkndtraveler

Unfortunately, the lounge access isn't a guaranteed benefit. According to Le Club AccorHotels, it's "upon request and subject to availability on arrival at the hotel, if existing."

If I was in a similar situation I would request the lounge access again at the check-in and at the same time inspect the room availability on the internet. If they are still at that point selling rooms with lounge access and they still deny the lounge access, I would request to see someone from the management and challenge them to explain what's going on. Then I would probably escalate the issue further to SVP of Le Club.

Goldorak

This is so tiresome

wkndtraveler

Yes it is. And very inconvenient. But if we want to see change, I think reporting to HQ or at least complaining to management must be done.

Goldorak

Absolutely. And Accorhotelsconcierge (Amy) and Accor HQ are monitoring this forum, so they read us.

HanoiIG

We are "regulars" well at least 5 stays at the Sofitel Gendarmenmarkt and it is one of our favorite hotels in the world! It is small and the only bar is in Aigner restaurant which is attached.

There is a tiny gym up on the top floor but it is adequate for our needs.

The staff is all friendly and helpful and the location is great, steps from Konzerthaus, short walk to Staatsoper(if it ever reapoens) and can walk to museums.

Right by #2 U bahn which goes to Alexanderplatz and beyond and to Deutsche Oper, Ka Da We and Kudamm in the other.

We are always given a major upgrade and when suites are likely to be booked, they always offer a nice discount. Generic "Platinum" may not get you as much as being repeat guests.

fransknorge

The whole situation annoyed me so much I cancelled my booking and just book with Hilton. The last time I was there I had good treatment and a consistent experience.
It seems this Sofitel does not care about high tier member of their loyalty program, so no point in giving them my business.

gilbertaue

Good call fransknorge.

[Accor HQ: Please take note]

vtecmini

Hoping for some guidance/advice.

I am Platinum and planning a stay in March for which I'm considering booking a Junior Suite with the hope of being upgraded to a Prestige suite, maybe even booking prestige to get Opera which is the highest level.I have heard stories of some hotels refusing to upgrade to their highest/high level suites and don't want to get caught out if its not even an option.

Does anyone have an experience of suite upgrades? What are people's experiences thoughts about the suites here?

Thanks in advance

wkndtraveler

The general manager of Sofitel Berlin Kudamm has changed at some point last year.

Anyone considering this hotel might be interested in to know that platinum members of Le Club are now welcome to the club lounge. The hotel confirmed this to me.