JW Marriott Berlin, Berlin, Germany [Master Thread]
 

It appears the Qatar-based ARTIC is handing the management of their owned Maritim Hotel Berlin to Marriott. The 505-room hotel will undergo a phased renovation over the next four years, and will debut in 2022 as JW Marriott Berlin.

This article gives a hair more color on the areas to be impacted by renovation:

"The extensive renovation of the hotel includes the exterior and entrance area, the public areas and facilities as well as the guest rooms and suites, which are to be completely redesigned. The extensive conference area, which currently comprises 5,500 square meters and two ballrooms, will also be completely renovated."

khabah

Interesting choice. As a Maritim it’s OK, but seems very big for a JWM. I believe ARTIC also owns the Grand Hyatt.

JW is not a boutique brand, there are many large ones. For example, JW LA Live is 879 rooms, JW Hong Kong is 581, JW Singapore is 634.

This will add to an already broad range of Marriott options in Berlin.

Recently stayed at this hotel. It is still not signed/branded as a JW Marriott. However, due to an issue during my stay I had to interact with the front desk a lot. On my last interaction they informed me the re-branding and signage is going up this year so that means Q4.

The hotel was fine. Not JW standards but it does have a lounge (pretty small with horrible offerings, IMO) and the lobby is nice enough.

This is the first hotel I've been to that refused my AMB elite benefits (breakfast) to the second room I had booked. Flat out denied even though the check-in agent confirmed it would apply. After being charged for breakfast the first morning I was made aware of their policy of no breakfast for the second room and they were sticking to it. No big deal; it's not a guaranteed perk. It did a slightly sour taste in my mouth given every other hotel (London, other Berlin) I've ever asked to do this at obliged without hesitation.

-RM

Checked-in ealier today - and before I could present myself the receptionist said "Welcome, Mr. XXXXXXX". I found that a little funny. No idea how he knew, but maybe I was last on the check-in list today....

Anyway, first impression is quite good. They are in the midst of renovations, and the JW signs are up in the reception, and on the entrance. However, on the outside they are still covered up. The receptionist said that the rebranding will find place next month, in January. It is, presumably, the largest hotel in Berlin, with almost 600 rooms. The public areas of the hotel are vast - very spacious, well-kept and clean. It is a mix between 80s-style and modern design. I got upgraded to a superior suite on the 5th floor. I also received club access, breakfast in the restaurant and points. The suite is outdated, and reminds me of one of the suites I have received at the Elephant in Weimar. But again, well-kept, and super clean. Living room with a sofa, chairs, tv, 2 desks and coffee machine, bathroom with double vanity, bidet, and separate shower and tub. Bedroom with chairs, large and comfy bed, and a large tv. Nice views towards Potsdamer Platz.

Pool on the 6th floor looks nice, but I skipped it today, since it was filled with toddlers and children. Will try tomorrow :) The bar on the ground floor is nice....old style American bar. Dark, yet intimate. Very nice staff. All of the staff I have met seem to be quite young, and they are very efficient, pro-active and service minded. Super staff in the reception. I visited the lounge to pick up some sodas, and I think it is not the most pleasant place to spend the evening. I will see tomorrow what their offerings are, but taking recent reports into consideration I am not very hopeful. I think it is just a conference room, thrown in some chairs, and made it into a lounge. I would be surprised if this would be the actual lounge once the JW name is on the entrance.

Location - maybe not the most interesting part of Berlin, but it is in the midst of the embassy district....It is, however, not far from transport links. I assume walking to Potsdamer Platz would take around 10 minutes....walking to Kudamm/KaDeWe/Zoo/Bahnhof would take something like 20 and 30 minutes. The bus takes you there in a few minutes. Bus # 200 is very useful, it takes you to many places of interest.

This is just my first impression of the hotel - but I think I would prefer this to the Sheraton nearby. And, there was a cake waiting for me when I arrived :)

Will report bsck :)

That would actually be the Estrel Hotel, which has over 1100 rooms. :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estrel_Hotel

Ah, quite a difference. Then the staff lied to me 🤣 Very well, breakfast till 1030. Large selection of cold cuts, fish, fruits and healthy options. There is an egg station as well, but no one was staffing it. A few warm dishes as well. Numerous juices and smoothies. The cheese was a bit stale when I visited it right before closing time. Overall it was a good experience.

Pool - too cold!! It might be nice for swimmers, but just too cold for relaxing, after a long day out. It feels like 22-23 degrees celsius.

The JW Marriott has opened:

https://www.hospitalitynet.org/annou.../41009002.html

As usual, the press release finds a way to mangle the English language in trying to sound trendy:

"JW Marriott Hotel Berlin Makes Its Mindful Debut"

reads the headline. I have no idea what the opening is mindful of, and I suspect those who wrote the press release aren't entirely clear what "mindful" means. Unless they're using the recently formulated new age meaning of "mindful," like Gwenyth Paltrow's GOOP uses.

Later in the press release, it says "Working in tandem with the brand's mindful approach to dining and design, the meeting and events spaces will encourage guests and attendees to foster purposeful connections..." Oy vey.

It still seems to show up as Hotel Central in my searches on the app. I was looking for a JW :-)

We were there for the previous weekend and they were setting everything up for some Qatari Sheikh to come in and make the announcement. I have come to like this hotel as my former usual (the Grand Hyatt) has been pricing itself out of range - I am afraid the JW may do the same, rates are starting to climb.

i do not like the design of this hotel, but I do like the staff, relatively large rooms, and their breakfast is excellent. To be a true JW standard there is still some progress to be made - I am sitting on the fence here, I’d probably prefer it to remain the way it was at the great rates.

Be careful with taxis to JW Marriott, we take one from central railway station at 1am and we told driver that we want go to 'JW Marriott' drove us to 'Marriott'.
the situation was quite unpleasant because he did not want to accept that he had made a mistake and asked for an additional fee for the correction /12EUR/ of the taxi course.

Any recent experiences? I couple of online reviews said construction was ongoing? Rates are much lower than other hotels in the area and wondering if there's a clear reason. :) I usually stay at the Potsdamer Platz Marriott, but will be working near Ku-Damm so this one is a tad closer. Looking to stay for the first time.

Review - 5 nights in February
 

I have been to most of the Marriott properties in Berlin. I completed a 5-night stay in February.
Check in was warm and welcoming (I don't speak German). The entrance and the lobby sparkle.
I was welcomed with a room upgrade and an explanation of the Plat amenities - lounge on the 2nd floor (hors d'oeuvre from 5-8), full breakfast in the rest - also on the 2nd floor, points, and late checkout. I tried the pool and the fitness area. Both were more than adequate.
Do not miss the brekkie. It was fantastic. Name recognition was also appreciated.
During the day, the lounge is open for refreshments. In the eve the hors d'oeuvres are adequate - hold and cold food, beer, wine.
In my room, I rec'd a nice Plat amenity - a cheesecake and a welcome note.
The hotel is massive. I discovered the German Memorial Resistance Center across the street, Worth a visit.
I liked the location - walking distance to Potsdamer Platz, Commuting from the hotel to the airport was easy - under an hour.
I recommend this property and I am happy to PM to know who to contact for upgrade and special requests?
I have no doubt it will be confused with the Marriott @ Potsdamer Platz. That is, in fact, how I ended up there!

Post-Visit report: It was OK+.
Large, spacious hotel that was largely empty (Breakfast room was not busy at all despite having enough food for thousands!)
Upgrades are not great, was given a small renovated king room with two twins pushed together for a 'king'. I was surprised since I contacted them in advance, and the online inventory showed numerous suites available, now obviously, not a part of their upgrade inventory :(
The location is not great, unless you are working in the defense industry or traveling by Taxi everywhere. Bus connections are available, and it's about 15-20 min walk from Potsdamer Platz.
Staff are friendly and numerous in case you need anything. Lounge was smallish, but well stocked for snacks at 5pm, Beer and wine available by order.
Price was right this time, but for future meetings I'm not sure.
All in all, OK, but not amazing.