Hilton Berlin

I have been coming to this hotel a few times a year for maybe 20 years, and it was always excellent in every way. Unfortunately recently they have been making changes that are way below the old standard. The new rooms are not well thought out. Tiny sinks with no counter space for anything. In the room itself is nice but there is no desk, and very little surface space to put anything! Nowhere to put a laptop and plug it in so work becomes pretty much impossible unless you bring your own extension chord and work on your lap. Perhaps the most disappointing change is the new executive lounge. The old one was fantastic. The new one is just a roped off corner of the breakfast restaurant with tables packed in. Food choices are drastically reduced, and the area is just all around sad. I thought I was in the wrong place. I asked the hotel and they confirmed this was their new permanent executive lounge! It’s honestly a joke. If I had to guess I would say the hotel has new management with what they are doing to this place. I hope they can fix things.

Prime city-centre location, within easy walking distance of major attractions and Christmas markets. Large, stylish rooms with modern amenities, offering a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. Exceptionally comfortable beds, making for a restful and uninterrupted night’s sleep. Professional and welcoming staff, providing efficient and hassle-free service throughout the stay. Well-suited for families, with convenient adjoining rooms that add comfort and privacy.

Positive Changes At Hilton Berlin By Doug Krikorian In my latest December visit to the Hilton Berlin, an annual rite that dates back several decades, I found a couple of changes that made the stay even more enjoyable than usual. For one thing, the Christmas Market was back in action across the street at the historic Gendarmenmarkt Square between the iconic French and German Cathedrals and in front of the Konzerthaus (concert hall) after a two-year absence because of a major paving renovation project. And, oh, was it back in action in a most modern architectural fashion with enchanting gold canopies festooned around the premises with sparkling gold lights atop each one giving a majestic glow to the ambiance. The place was jammed every night I visited it as the patrons filled the restaurants, crowded the bratwurst, Gluhwein, beer and candy outlets and navigated en masse the lengthy arts and crafts tent when they weren't standing in front of the large stage being entertained by choirs, singers, dancers, acrobats and comedians. It was, as the WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt always had been, the perfect location for the Hilton Berlin since all you have to do to reach it is walk across the street, which hadn't been the case since 2023 when you had to make a 15-minute trek to its temporary site that was next to the Unter de Linden on a Humboldt University square. And one of many reasons I've become so fond of vacationing in Germany in December is its divine Christmas Markets, when the glad gatherings of so many cheerful folk, especially parents with their children, revives remembrances of my youth in the 1950s when my parents would take me and my sister to Christmas festivities at the fraternal organization my father belonged to where there was food and music and dancing and much gaiety and of course Santa Claus. And I've been to all the famed ones in Germany---Nuremberg, Dresden, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne etc.---but the one at Gendarmenmarkt Square remains my favorite. The other major change at the Berlin Hilton was its totally new Executive Lounge, re-located from the far end of the lobby to the first floor next to the Beletage Restaurant which still serves a top-flight breakfast. I've often rated the Hilton Berlin's Executive Lounge as the top one I've visited in Europe because of its always courteous, helpful staff and extraordinarily tasty food offerings that too often have kept my wife and me from going to one of the many elite restaurants nearby. Well, at the new facility that overlooks the Gendarmenmarkt Square, the food even has been upgraded---a greater assortment of delicious salads and cheeses to go with spring rolls, chicken wings, wontons, etc. And there are now three modern coffee machines---to go with soft drinks, beer, wine and various high quality liquors. But what makes this one superior to its predecessor is its stylish furnishings that evinces a feeling of being in a high-end nightclub. You walk in, and are stunned by the many plush couches and tables sprinkled throughout the expansive premises accompanied by comfortable armchairs. The Hilton Berlin has been undergoing widespread renovations, and all the suites on the sixth floor are being upgraded, as are selected rooms throughout the hotel. But the other positive parts of the 601-room establishment has been maintained as its maid service still is prompt and thorough with new sheets, towels and wash clothes delivered daily without request. The fitness center is first-class with all the prerequisite cardio bikes and weight lifting equipment. The concierges, Tony Hofmann and Rene Pfitzner, are engaging, patient and informative, and even one, the legendary Gerhard Buskies, whose employment goes back to when the building's location was a part of East Germany and known as the Stadt Hotel, still makes an occasional appearance. The long-time, award-winning front office manager, Doreen Maurer, often mistaken for Claudia Schiffer, oversees a most efficient desk reception that makes queues disappear in moments. There are a lot of other things to like about the Hilton Berlin---the Stadtmitte U-Bahn station is across the street and its Metro trains can have you at the most luxurious and largest department store in continental Europe, the KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) in 15minutes. And many other places of interest like the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdammer Platz are in the vicinity. But my greatest fondness during my seven-day stay this time was that my most beloved Christmas Market was a New York minute away.

Our family stayed over New Year’s Eve for four days at the Hampton by Hilton Berlin City West, as there was no room available at the Berlin Hilton. However, the fife of us had the great pleasure and privilege to spend the New Year evening at the Berlin Hilton, which is still one of my favourite Hilton Hotels , haven frequented it since its inception. The reception was very welcoming and the live entertainment was phenomenal ; congratulations ! The gala buffet selection was rich and plentiful; wonderful and with a lot of TLC. I’m sure the wine selection was equally impressive, even though, with the exception of one lady, we did not drink any alcohol, but we only enjoyed one glass each for toasting at midnight. A price consideration would have been very much appreciated. The restaurant manager, as well as the entire Service and Kitchen Team showed, how wonderful hospitality can be practiced. THANK YOU ALL! It has been and continues to be our responsibility to fill the World with the Warmth and Light of Hospitality! Conrad Hilton.

Overall, our stay at Hilton Berlin was disappointing and well below what one would expect from the Hilton brand. First of all, the accommodation option we booked and fully paid for simply did not exist. I had even called the hotel before making the reservation to make sure it would meet our group’s needs, yet upon arrival we were told that this room type was unavailable. We were initially placed in what felt like an improvised apartment, clearly below Hilton standards. After lengthy discussions (credit where it’s due to one very kind and helpful receptionist), a “compromise” was found: one apartment that only partially met our requirements (one king bedroom and one bathroom) plus a junior suite offered as compensation for the booking “misunderstanding.” At least these rooms were Executive, as requested from the start, had a view of the German Dome and looked decent — but nothing premium or exceptional. The entire process took almost three hours before we were finally able to check in properly. What Hilton Berlin seems to define as “premium accommodation” includes: - clogged sinks - missing towel hooks in the bathroom - poor-quality bathrobes - some towels that looked heavily worn All of this for over €2,000 for a three-night stay. Financial handling was another major issue. At check-in, the standard €150 deposit was blocked — fine. However, an additional €100 was charged in less than an hour, without explanation. Both the receptionist and her supervisor openly admitted they did not know why this happened, assuring us the amount would be released immediately. It was not. Over the next three days, this unexplained amount grew to €700, again with no justification. The funds were only released when my dissatisfaction became very clear and, understandably, more vocal. The Executive Lounge is, unfortunately, a bad joke. Instead of a quiet, premium space suitable for relaxation or work, it felt like a noisy, low-quality café, with unsupervised children running around constantly. Absolutely not what an Executive Lounge should be. Breakfast was another disappointment: poor-quality ingredients, the worst omelette I have ever had, and — quite shockingly — many dirty plates. As compensation for this entire unpleasant experience, we received: - a refund for a restaurant bill (approx. €130) and a minibar beer - some Hilton Honors points (which I had to explicitly request; they were not proactively offered) I was also granted a late check-out for a specific time and assured it was confirmed — only to find myself locked out of the room because the key no longer worked. This was our “fantastic” stay at Hilton Berlin — completely opposite to the flawless Hilton experience we had recently in Budapest. Sadly, this property does not live up to the Hilton name.