IC Berlin

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?

Booked Classic Room and got Premium King City View High FLoor, I would think this is a two category upgrade and I was very happy with it. Very smooth check-in process with the upgrade being visible in the app over 24 hours in advance. 

How are the rooms?

Quite large rooms with bath including bathtub and seperate shower, typical IC bathroom amenities. Room itself also feels nicely sized and well renovated. You have a couch, working desk with a comfortable chair and the combination of the minibar fridge, kettle machine and a bit of a table in the middle of the room. TV is of decent size, but you cannot play Netflix or anything else without and HDMI cable and the positioning is somewhat weird that you can neither enjoy the TV from the bed or the couch to the fullest. The bed itself is quite soft and the only thing I did not enjoy were the pillows, but that was my personal preference. 

How is the exec. lounge?

Did not have acces as I am still 10 nights short of the lounge access reward

What was good and what was bad?

GOOD

• Very friendly staff at check-in, spa reception or breakfast, you name it, best IC in this regard so far for me. 
• Instant recognition of all benefits I was entitled to without having to ask, including Spa access and 4pm late check-out.
• The Spa area is nicely sized and during my stay Sun-Mon I had it to myself most of the time, which was an extreme luxury
• The Gym is also recommendable, especially if you follow the arrows to GYM 2 where you are usually by yourself and you can do a bit more than cardio.
• Breakfast with interesting asian touches and made to order waffles that were surprisingly good (I do not like waffles too much usually)
• The snacks you receive in the bar with your drinks are more than typical nuts and crisps and the general food in the bar is also good, yet, quite pricy given the options the city has to offer

BAD 

• AC was a complete let down, I enjoy sleeping in a cold room, but this was impossible, as the AC was warming the room even on the lowest settings
• Some lights in bathroom were broken and basically turned on and off in random sequence, which was not very fun
• Staff at the bar told me I could not charge my food to a room, which needed clarifying of his manager

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Good value for money spend (did not check the points rate on this occasion), especially with diamond benefits and Spa access, would even recommend it for a short getaway if in the city with the girlfriend. 

Typical German Currywurst (Berlin Style) and Fries I had at Marlene Bar.