Another pleasurable stay

100   Recommended
Grand club king
December 28, 2016 by EXPERT

 Map | 2 Reviews | 100% Recommended
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Grand Hyatt Berlin
 Map | 2 Reviews | 100% Recommended

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Grand club king

Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
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Room
Grand club king

A few years ago I enjoyed new year at the Grand Hyatt Berlin in what was my first visit to Germany. It was the early days of my Diamond membership and I was excited to use a DSU. Several weeks before that stay, however, the hotel contacted me to say the DSU suite would not be available (I forget the reason). The compensation was something like a club room with breakfast in the restaurant each morning and one dinner in Mesa. I had no qualms about taking it. On arriving at the hotel, however, I had been upgraded to a suite above the entry level. It was a wonderful new year stay so there was no question that for my second visit, this time over Christmas, I would return. It was brilliant.

Check In

Check-in was efficient and professional. The agent welcomed me back and informed me of an upgrade to a grand club king on the club (and top) floor (11). He asked how my journey was to which I replied it had been average as the airline had misplaced my luggage. I asked if the hotel had contacts at airberlin or Etihad and he said he would look into it. More on that below. There was no information provided about any benefits so I enquired. Only then did I learn that breakfast was complimentary in Vox, in addition to the lounge. Breakfast is served, at both locations until a very lazy midday which I appreciated. I was offered my choice of amenity and chose the 1W and was also offered the 4pm check-out. It's nice when that's pro-active.

Room

My grand club king room was large and spacious. The bathroom was probably 35-40% of the overall room size with a bath and shower located together (but not a bath/tub combo) behind a large sliding door. There was ample wardrobe (closet) space. Amenities for the usual June Jacobs but the bottles were very small (maybe 40mL). There was a small TV above the vanity that could be moved and speakers in the ceiling that provided good audio.

The king bed was very comfortable although perhaps a little soft for my liking. A large TV sat at the foot of the bed, along with a lounge chair and footstool. There was a desk-come-table that served my needs.

There was a typed note card with the personal signature of the GM and three apples already in the room.IMG_5416.JPGIMG_5417.JPGIMG_5419.JPGIMG_5423.JPG

As I continue to find at most hotels, despite placing the little green card on the bed, bath towels were replaced daily.

I was given two 1L bottles of water per day and there was also an evening turndown. Being Christmas each room appeared to receive a large plate of mixed sweets - chocolate, lollies, nuts etc. - oddly accompanied by two mandarins.

(I'd insert my images but the vertical photos I've taken always appear horizontally in these reviews.)

 

Service

Service was outstanding.

The agent who checked me in phoned me in the room 90 or so minutes later to say he'd contacted the airline (which one I'm not sure) but had no further news on my missing luggage. I appreciated the effort.

Each staff member I came across made eye contact and was polite and professional. They were neither intrusive nor reticent.

Dining

I had breakfast in the restarant, Vox, each morning. There is a very decent buffet with, among other things, no less than 10 loose leaf teas. Barista coffee is also available. There isn't an egg station per se and it didn't appear that there were any made-to-order options. However, I noticed another table had eggs Benedict delivered so I took the initiative and asked for the same. Other items, such as pancakes and waffles, are also available. There was no charge for anything. 

The grand club lounge is a very nice space, furnished in darker wood tones. Both the evening canapes and breakfast are very minimal. In the evening canapes were limited to maybe four or five items and nothing hot. While very limited the quality and presentation were excellent. Breakfast was limited to a couple of cereals, bakery items and cold meats and cheeses. Again, nothing hot.

Location

The location is fantastic. The Potsdamar-Platz station is three or four minutes walk; the remains of the wall and Topography of Terror 12 or so minutes and Checkpoint Charlie just a few minutes beyond that. The large Mall of Berlin is only five minutes away. And if you're there at Christmas there is a smallish market located just outside the hotel and a larger one two minutes up the street. 

Gym

The recreational facitlities are extensive. The gym is a good size for a hotel with plenty of machines. There is a nice indoor pool on the top floor with a jacuzzi and (I think separate) saunas for males and females. 

Concierge

Without the essentials and on Christmas Eve I didn't hold much hope of being able to get anything. I approached the concierge desk who confirmed that all clothing shops had closed at 2pm (it was now about 5pm). They would not re-open until 27 December. In a display of five star service the head duty concierge kindly offered to loan me a porter's jacket so I could at least venture out and explore the Christmas markets. I glady accepted and it meant that I wasn't confined to my hotel room on Christmas Day.

Transportation

I took a taxi from TXL which was EUR24 about 2pm on Christmas Eve. On the return, on a weekday afternooon, I took an Uber for EUR19. The journey was only 15 minutes but I actually think we caught every green light so allow a little longer. 

Overall

There were two minor negatives. First, EUR6.83 for a mobile (cell) phone call to Australia that literally lasted two seconds. (I had my reasons for using the hotel phone.) I understand the house phones are expensive but this strikes me as extortionate. 

Second, the check-out process. I queued for about 12 minutes (each time backing the wrong horse and lining up in the queue that never seemed to move) for just two agents. I was openly critical of this to the agent that I finally reached, also pointing out that one of her colleagues seemed to actually ignore me as I stood at the reception desk while another spent two or three minutes providing directions and pointing out attractions on a map when the concierge desk was 10 steps away. Although remarking to her that it was the only negative of the stay (the phone call cost aside), my dissatisfaction apparently reached management as I received an email from someone higher up the following day apologising.

Overall, though, another fantastic stay. It's a great property in a great spot with great amenities. I'd happily return yet again (World of Hurt dependent).

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