Hotel Berlin Lichtenberg

The hotel is notable for its spacious rooms, particularly the family accommodations, which provide ample space for guests. It is well-suited for families and budget-conscious travelers seeking a practical base for exploring the city, as well as those on short stays. Guests often appreciate the overall cleanliness of the premises and the convenient access to public transportation. However, recurring themes in reviews highlight significant issues with noise, especially for rooms facing the main road, and a notable absence of air conditioning, which can impact comfort during warmer periods. Feedback regarding the staff is quite mixed, ranging from highly positive to significantly negative. To enhance your stay, it is advisable to request a room away from the main road to mitigate noise disturbances, and consider exploring nearby options for breakfast, as the hotel's offering receives varied feedback.

Facilities & Amenities
Most guests note the hotel's basic but functional facilities. A frequent point of concern is the lack of air conditioning in rooms, which many found problematic, especially during warmer weather, leading to uncomfortable stays. Similarly, the absence of a mini-fridge and kettle or coffee machine in the rooms is a common complaint, requiring guests to seek hot water from reception or purchase bottled water. While Wi-Fi is available, some guests reported it to be weak or unreliable, particularly on higher floors. The hotel has elevators, but these are often described as slow or prone to long waits, especially when large groups are present. A bar is on-site, though reviews indicate it is often closed or has limited offerings, leading guests to seek alternatives. Parking is available, but incurs an additional daily fee, which some guests found expensive.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
While many guests generally find the hotel to be clean, specific issues regarding room cleanliness are frequently mentioned, including dust under beds, stains on curtains, and hair on pillows upon arrival. The spacious rooms are consistently praised, offering ample living area for guests. However, the beds receive mixed reviews, with some finding them comfortable while others describe them as too hard or having thin, worn pillows, impacting sleep quality. The bathrooms are a significant area of concern, often described as old, worn, and in need of renovation, with recurring complaints about mold or mildew in grout and corners, and sometimes broken fixtures. A notable issue for many is the absence of a lock on the bathroom door. Noise levels are a major detractor, particularly from the main road and tram, making it difficult to sleep, especially when windows are open due to the lack of air conditioning. Some guests also noted that windows can open fully, raising safety concerns.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on dining experiences, particularly breakfast, is highly varied. Some guests found the breakfast buffet to be good, sufficient, and offering a decent variety of options, including fresh fruit and different types of bread and cold cuts. However, a significant number of reviews describe the breakfast as basic, unappetizing, or not worth the additional cost, citing issues such as cold food, dry rolls, or slow replenishment of items. Concerns were also raised about the hygiene of the dining area, with some mentioning dirty tables and cutlery. A serious issue highlighted in multiple reviews involved a guest with celiac disease being served a meal containing gluten despite assurances, leading to illness. The hotel's bar and restaurant offer a limited menu, typically featuring pizza and flammkuchen, and the bar's inconsistent opening hours were a point of frustration for guests seeking evening refreshments.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is frequently noted as being quite far from the city center and main tourist attractions. However, this is largely mitigated by excellent public transport links, with a tram stop conveniently located just a few minutes' walk away. The M6 tram line provides direct and frequent access to Alexanderplatz and other central areas, making commuting relatively easy, typically taking around 25-40 minutes. Guests often mention the hotel's proximity to IKEA, which serves as a convenient option for alternative breakfast or quick meals. The surrounding area is described as industrial or commercial, lacking a variety of nearby restaurants, shops, or supermarkets, which can be inconvenient for guests seeking amenities within walking distance. A significant drawback of the location is the high noise level from the adjacent main road and tram line, particularly for rooms facing the street, impacting sleep quality. Parking is available on-site, though it comes with an additional daily fee.

Staff & Service
Guest feedback on staff and service is notably polarized. Many reviews praise the friendly, helpful, and multilingual staff, highlighting positive interactions and their willingness to assist with inquiries. Some guests experienced a quick check-in process and found staff accommodating. Conversely, a significant number of reviews describe staff as unprofessional, unfriendly, arrogant, or dismissive, leading to frustrating experiences, particularly during check-in where long waits and bureaucratic issues were reported. There are also complaints about staff being overwhelmed or unresponsive to guest concerns. Housekeeping receives mixed comments; while some appreciate daily cleaning and fresh towels, others report issues such as uncleaned sheets, failure to clean under beds, or staff entering rooms despite 'Do Not Disturb' signs. Specific service issues include disputes over additional charges, such as for parking or in-room water bottles, and perceived unfair fines for minor room adjustments.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several specific aspects that impact the overall stay. The hotel has a policy of imposing fines for moving beds within rooms, even if they are returned to their original position, which many guests found unreasonable and a source of unexpected charges. Additionally, bottled water provided in the room is not complimentary and incurs a charge, which some guests felt was not clearly communicated. The hotel frequently accommodates school groups and youth groups, which can significantly contribute to noise levels in hallways and longer waits for elevators, impacting the tranquility of other guests. The building itself is an older tower block, originally designed as apartments, which influences aspects like sound insulation and the lack of modern amenities such as air conditioning. A recurring minor but notable point is the absence of a lock on the bathroom door, which can be inconvenient, especially for families or shared rooms.