Has anyone stayed at the Westin Grand Hotel in Berlin? If so, could you please give me details on the size of the rooms, what size of beds you had, etc..? Thanks so much!

I was there in 2004, so things may have changed.
We had a room, at our request, with two twin beds. You can choose some other option, I'm sure. The location is wonderful. Although it's a beautiful hotel, the layout of the room and bathroom were not the most comfortable ever, but they were quite adequate. We didn't have a renovated room, so find out if you can get that.

I stayed there in October. My room was large, with a king-sized bed. It was decorated in a modern style. The bathroom was large too, with marble and all the conveniences. It was typical of the Westin standard but not as opulent/luxurious as some of the other Starwood properties (e.g. Luxury Collection)

I really enjoyed the location -- within walking distance of the Reichstag on one end of Unter den Linden and the Museum Insel at the other. Also, it is near a shopping "passage" on Friedrichstrasse if you tire of history.

Another plus was the wonderful breakfast buffet. (On trips I tend to eat a larger breakfast, eat a light lunch on the run and then a nice dinner, to leave more time for sightseeing). There was even champagne with which to make mimosas.

The Westin is the former Grand Hotel, which was the pride of the communist GDR, built to impress Western visitors.

The rooms are quite small, but adequately furnished - not luxury, but typical business fare (like Hilton etc.). Double beds are 180cm wide (something between King and Queen size in the U.S., but typical for Germany).

The public areas are in historical style with a lot of faux columns etc.

The pool area is average for the 5-star level.

Location is excellent.

On this level, you find many alternatives in Berlin, some with similar location. I always check www.hrs.de.

Compared to other 5-star hotels in Berlin:

Clearly better than the Westin Grand are:

- Rocco Forte's Hotel de Rome (my favourite in Berlin),
- the Hyatt,
- Grand Hotel Esplanade,
- The Regent,
- the Adlon,
- the Ritz Carlton,
- The executive floor of the Hilton,

Slightly better are:

- both Sofitel Dorint hotels,
- the Intercontinental,
- Brandenburger Hof (however without pool).

On the same level with the Westin Grand:

- Maritim pro Arte.

Not recommendable:
- The Palace.
- Kempinski.

A very nice hotel just up the Friedrichstrasse from the Westin is the Sol Melia. Brand new hotel right on the Spree.

I had cake and tea at the Westin. The lobby was nice.

Thin

The Melia is a soulless 4-star business hotel. It is a class below the Westin Grand Hotel (not to mention the other ones).

Hello Elaine:

We spent about 5 days at the Westin Grand about 2 years ago. I echo Delaine's remarks. I was especially impressed with the Concierge staff. We had a concert/dinner to attend that required a 15 minute cab ride, but the hotel was encirled by closed streets because of the Berlin Marathon. The Concierge persisted through one failed cab attempt to get us there almost on time. Good luck. Gradyghost

Well, I didn't think the Sol Melia was soulless. I thought it was a very nice BRAND NEW hotel with large rooms and spacious bathrooms with heated floors. The rooms have flat-screen TVs.

I also got my room there for $45 a night. I doubt if you could get the Westin for that.

Soulless?? You are a sole ass.

Thingorjus

Cries;

One is not permitted (by the traveller) to have opinions that differ from the traveller. You will get used to that if you come here often.

Have some fun with it.

wow, $45 a night - I just paid 68E for a king at Melia. I quite like the chain myself and book them when I can find them in Europe.

I stayed at the Melia this April and was impressed. The breakfast buffet, while pricey (2 for 1 if you join their rewards program) was the best I have ever had in Europe.

I think the location beats the Westin. The staff were outstanding, helping me to complete a sudden real estate transaction at 3:00 a.m. with international faxing. They apolgized for having to charge me for the fax because it was overseas, not just within Europe. That kind of stuff makes a fan.