Waldorf Astoria Berlin {DEU}
 

Booked a night in a suite for early October (prepaid) at this property. Hotel was supposed to open on Sept. 1st at booking time.

Today I was looking for a few other nights in November / December but got no availabilty. "Hotel is accepting reservations from Jan. 1st 2013".

Does anybody know if they will really not open the hotel until January?

What will happen with my (prepaid) booking for October in that case?

What about the flights to Berlin (intra Germany) that we booked for that stay?

Will the hotel have to provide another hotel of the same standard (costs?) for us? And their other Berlin property, the Hilton, is probably not an ultra-luxury hotel as the WA is supposed to be...

Hopefully somebody can help me...

All the hotels are SUPPOSED to open on time, but more often than not they don't.


Quite likely, but you better contact hotel.

You will receive a refund.

Not hotels responsibility.

They don't.

Got a call from the hotel (or better said the Hilton Berlin) a few days after my e-mail. Had a very nice chat with the guy.

The hotel will not be open before January 1st 2013. They are still working on the rooms and the interior.

He offered me to cancel the booking or to change the booking to the Hilton Berlin. Offered me a good rate for the same room category, which was a Corner Suite (same as great getaway + flexible cancellation until 4pm + free breakfast + special VIP treatment). Took the offer for the Hilton - first time there, but I think at least the view will be great...

And he offered me also a guaranteed upgrade at the Waldorf the the next category of rooms / suites for my next booking.

So all in all I am quite happy with the interaction with the Hilton / Waldorf staff and look forward to the stay at the Hilton - and my first stay at the Waldorf sometime next year...

Staying tomorrow, will report back :)

I haven't stayed at the Hilton Berlin, however it gets good reviews on this site as well as tripadvisor. The lounge is supposed to be very good as well (no surprise as almost all the lounges in western Europe are very good... at least compared to the US lounges). According to the reviews the Hilton is actually in a better part of town than the WA (although I don't think they are very far apart). I think you will enjoy your stay.

In my opinion the Hilton Berlin is one of their best properties and staying there is a pleasure. It is now my choice Hotel in Berlin. Lounge great and lovely staff.

WA is next to Zoo station and handy for Berlin West; location ok for shopping. Hilton Berlin close to Potsdamer Platz and Alexander Platz.

I am looking forward to the first reviews on FT regarding this property. When having walked by (and staying at the Hilton Berlin) very late December 2012 there was no sign from inside that it would open soon. However, around New Years Eve the hotel was open to the public to view rooms and public spaces, as I read in the news paper.
The W=A and Hilton are not close together. The Hampton and the W=A are. The Hilton is situated in the historic city center (Berlin Mitte) which was in post war East Berlin. The W=A is in the city center west, which has become cultural, intellectual (and entertainment) center between both World Wars. This area was the city center when the city was split into east and west. It was somewhat neglected nowadays but this apparently changes. I personally like the area a lot. Most likely the room charges AND the lacking benefits for hhonors members will keep me from staying in the W=A. Otherwise I am happy that it is open now.

So, the hotel is finally open - will have my first stay on saturday and will report back!

The Hilton Berlin is on one of the nicest Platz in Berlin. The WA is near Zoo which is not the most desirable location now although I suppose in a few years the area could re-invent itself if they kick out all the porn sellers and sex shops.

Trip report pleeeeaaaaase! Will be there on Saturday and am really looking forward to this first stay...

Trip report January 12th 2013
 

Was really looking forward to this new addition to Berlin. The hotel just opened a week before my stay.

Had a great stay - the room, the staff, the whole hotel was simply stunning.
A real smooth stay. Felt as if the hotel had been open for a long time and the people were all genuinely friendly. And you feel that they are all happy to finally have guests they can serve!

Booked their opening package for a Deluxe Room at 230 Euros which included an airport limousine pick-up, upgrade (upon availability), breakfast, champagne welcome treatment and a small spa treatment (they offer a so called "Vichy" shower).

Arrived at Berlin-Tegel airport and was immediately greeted by their friendly driver, who took my bag and brought me to their house car - a BMW 750i with all the luxury you can think of. Lots of curious looks from the people passing by - must have thought I am a star or something :D

About 15 minutes wonderful drive to the hotel. There I was greeted by name by the doorman and four (!) of the staff opening the doors for me and also greeting me by name - must say I was really impressed.

Check-in at 11.30 am perfect. Everthing was ready. The guy checking me in gave me a big grin and said: Mr. LAU we are happy that you are here - and we have a real nice upgrade for you. One of our spacious Junior Suites.
Was also given my Gold My Way benefit, a voucher for a free movie (the movies cost an unbelievable 24 Euros each!) and also a voucher for a glas of Champagne or a Cocktail at the bar (also for Golds).

Was then personally escorted to my room - # 1407 facing Kudamm and Berlins City West.

The room was really stunning: Smelled and looked still brand new, great design, lots of space, large windows (although they were quite dirty), relatively high ceilings... see the pics. Modern Art Deco design - my personal favorite.
Size about 60 sqm, a seating area in the living room, a seating area in the bedroom, two large LCD-TVs (I think about 46 inches), lots of closet space, Nespresso machine, spacious marble bathroom with rainshower, deep soaking tub (but takes ages to fill...) great Salvatore Ferragamo toilettries (two sets in large 100 ml bottles) and large mirror with built-in TV.

Very fast wireless (free for Golds) - 24 Mbit down & 10 Mbit up.

Nice spa area with bubble shaped pool, jacuzzi, sauna & steam bath. Nice loungers but only about ten of them. Did not have a problem to get one of them the times I was there as it was rather empty. But will get crowded if there are more than 10 to 15 people at the pool area and the hotel is full booked.

Had prebooked the free Spa treatment. When arriving at the spa I was offered either the Vichy shower or a short foot spa followed by a hydrotherapy bath. Chose the second one. Very nice and friendly therapist started with a ten minute foot treatment then followed by the bath (basically in a large tub with massage bubbles) for twenty minutes. Really relaxing - felt asleep on a pool lounger for an hour afterwards.

Tried their room service in the evening - ordered their "Burger" for 22 Euros (which is one of the cheapest items on the menu - and they also charge 5 Euros tray charge for each order - this is not mentioned anywhere!). Burger was good but would probably not be enough when you are really hungry.

Breakfast in the morning was at the "Les Solistes" reataurant. Price is 36 Euros p.P. when not included in the rate.
Unfortunately this was the only downside of the whole stay. It took 20 minutes until finally someone came to my table for my tea order and another 15 for the tea to arrive. Restaurant was less than half full. They have a small buffet with good quality items but nothing extraordinary. And they also have a menu with eggs, waffles e.g. to order - but they do not give it out until you ask for it! So there is still lots of space for improvement here.

My conclusion for the whole stay: Probably the best luxury hotel in Berlin now with great staff - if they can sort the problems at breakfast out. Will definately return if the price is o.K.

And now - the pics (sorry for the quality, but had only my iPhone with me)

First look from entryway:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8091/8...99cffa2f29.jpg

Look across the room:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8...822546a47c.jpg

Bedroom / seating area:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8...a247e384bb.jpg

Living room / seating area / workspace:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8...55e6cfdd32.jpg

Bed:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8...21bf493937.jpg

View across room from bed:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8...7802e37304.jpg

Working space:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8...2fd6faee5c.jpg

Bathroom / bathtub:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8...fa57a46505.jpg

Bathroom / sink & mirror with built-in HD TV:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8...dc245688ed.jpg

Bathroom / large shower:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8...cec5c33b59.jpg

Great toilettries (and large bottles):

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8192/8...c8e87aba97.jpg

Champagne Welcome treatment:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8087/8...5676049822.jpg

View of Western Berlin:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8...dcffeab6f8.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8...91297f6849.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8...aab51c8aae.jpg

Did you have opportunity to check out the pool? I understand it's quite small (8 meters) but has a swim current. I'm curious how that is for exercise swimming (in lieu of laps).

Also, any idea how they treat Diamonds?

Nice report and pictures Mr. LAU. Thank you!

Chris

Thank you very much for reporting!

I have been in the pool - it looks good but is definately too small for a decent swim. Did not see anything about the swimming current (although I read about that too somewhere) , so cannot comment on that.

And unfortunately no idea about Diamond treatment.