Grand Hyatt BerlinThe Grand Hyatt Berlin fits its location perfectly - it is one of the most stylish hotels we have stayed in. Situated just off Potsdamer Platz in Mitte, the hotel is within easy walking distance of many major sites in Berlin, including the Tiergarten, the Brandenburg Gate, Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie and Museum Insel. When arriving from Berlin Tegel, we advise taking a taxi (for around 25 euros) - it is so much quicker and easier than the airport bus, not to mention being more comfortable.
The hotel itself is slightly different than other Grand Hyatts we have visited - for example, though Hyatts are well known for their art displays, there is much modern sculpture here. Each floor has a different piece of art outside the lifts (our favourite is the stone 'hippos'). As with other hotels in the chain, an extraordinary variety of natural materials have been used, with stone, metal, marble and wood combining to great effect. You may notice the metallic bear in reception - the bear is the symbol of Berlin and you will spot many around this historic city. In addition, the sale of these Buddy Bears raises money for artists to come for Berlin, as well as raising funds for a number of children's charities, including UNICEF. Great dining opportunities, a major banqueting suite, the only roof-top pool, spa and gym in Berlin. Grand Hyatt Berlin has it all. Club Deluxe KingThe Club Deluxe King is the standard upgrade for diamond members. Unfortunately, the hotel only has 8 of these rooms, so the likelihood is that you will receive a standard Club room. At 46 square metres, the Club Deluxe is basically a Junior Suite - it is a great space with a generous seating area and a good sized bathroom, complete with those all-important twin sinks. A nice touch is the cantilevered moveable TV, allowing it to be watched either from the bed or sitting area.
One major improvement in the renovated room is the unit by the bed, which controls lights and the outside blind. It is so great not to have to get out of bed and stumble around trying to find the light switch, as so many hotels require. Something that could be improved is the safe. Why do so many properties insist on installing safes which are too small for a laptop? This continues to annoy us, especially as we are usually travelling with a number of computers, as well as iPods, cash, passports, cameras, phones etc. A business hotel in particular should cater to the business guest. Grand View SuiteThe Grand View Suite used to be the standard upgrade when using a confirmed diamond suite upgrade certificate. However, due to the lack of suites, the hotel needed to create a new category (Grand Suite) which face the courtyard and are somewhat smaller. Although this has been a talking point online, having stayed in both suites, the Grand Suite is still a fantastic use of a suite upgrade certificate. However, if paying for a suite, we would recommend paying the extra 60 euros for a Grand View Suite.
This is a good sized suite (20 square metres bigger than the Grand Suite) with sliding doors separating the living area from bedroom. If you are entertaining, the Grand View Suite may also be a better option for you as there is a dining table suitable for 4 and a larger lounge area. However, if you are noise sensitive, we would recommend the Grand Suite as these face the inner courtyard and are very peaceful. DiningThe club lounge in Berlin offers a good continental breakfast, with hot dishes and freshly squeezed juices available to order. In the afternoon, Kaffee und Kuchen is served (coffee and cakes). The evening service starts at 6pm and consists of a cold plate offering with a choice of around 6 wines, a couple of beers and, of course, soft drinks as served through the day. One thing we really appreciate is the large bowl of salad leaves that are always available in the evening. Other salads, cheeses, smoked fish and meats are also available, as is sushi on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Dining options include Mesa, which serves German style sharing dishes, Tizian, offering classics, and Vox, which is the fine dining restaurant and also where breakfast is served. Our favourite food is from Vox, particularly asparagus when in season and the sushi plates. Breakfast is fantastic with everything you could wish for, served until 14:00 on Sundays. If you plan on staying regularly in German Hyatts, we recommend getting the Gourmet Card, which allows one diner to eat free when the cardholder pays for one or more others, as well as giving one bottle of champagne and a complementary night in a participating hotel of your choice - all for 249 euros! Spa facilitiesAlso on the 8th floor is a spa (accessed through the changing rooms), which offers a sauna, steam room, cool waterfall and cold plunge pool. Please note that in Germany it is expected that all users are naked and facilities are mixed. There are separate shower areas for men and women. The spa area also offers a relaxation area (wear your bath robe) with magazines and fresh fruit. A variety of massage and beauty treatments are available to book. If you prefer Shiatsu massage, there is a dedicated room. There is also a solarium if you need to top up your tan in winter When staying at the Grand Hyatt Berlin, we strongly recommend you allow time to use the leisure facilities at least once during your stay. For latest prices and offers at the spa click on this link. |
Grand KingThe Grand Hyatt Berlin's rooms are gradually undergoing a renovation designed by Top Taiwan American hotel designer Tony Chi, who has worked extensively for Hyatt H&R and who also designed the new rooms at the Grand Hyatt Bangkok. These rooms have a number of great features and a nice mix of natural materials (we love the wooden bed-side tables). However, they do feel slightly as if the furniture has been designed as an exhibit, rather than to be used. An example of this is the chair placed at the bottom of the bed, presumably meant as a TV chair. However, in our opinion, the chair is too close to the bed and the TV! Perhaps this will be worked out with time.
The renovated rooms are however, much fresher than the older rooms and, at 38 square metres, are a good size for a city hotel in Europe. As with all rooms in this hotel, the bathroom is large, with a neat wet-room style shower and full bath. The bathroom is marbled a tasteful combination of green and black. Grand SuiteThe entry level suite at this property and the room allocated when upgrading with Gold Passport points or upgrade certificates. Recently remodelled to a design of Tony Chi, there is a strong "residence feel" to the Grand Suite. This may be smaller than other suites in Grand Hyatt Berlin but it is equally well equipped.
For a single traveller there are many options for seating including the sofa with coffee table, the glass-topped dining/work table and a lovely bedside chair with foot stool. It's great to have a wardrobe you can actually hang a dress in, as well as controls for everything at your fingertips on the bedside table. There is a large TV screen on a cantilever, so you can angle it towards your favourite sitting position. There is another, smaller TV at the foot of the bed and a screen above the shaving mirror in the bathroom, thoughtfully angled so as to be actually watchable. Great coffee and tea making facilities are accompanied by an amazingly generous wet bar (decanters of whiskey, gin, vodka and Campari) as well as the usual range of beer, wine and soft drinks in the mini-bar. There is milk and plain chocolate, three types of nuts and a pot of Pringles. All complimentary. Add in the fruit bowl amenity and you are truly spoilt. For a couple the bedroom can be separated if you want to watch TV while your partner sleeps, works or phones her mother. All you could wish for is more square meters, which can be bought at a price. Executive SuiteOur favourite room type has to be the Executive Suite, each of which is named after a famous German actor, such as the Greta Garbo or the Marlene Dietrich. These suites are really the perfect size (96 square metres) - spacious but not so large that a couple feels lost. The bathroom is the highlight - a large marbled space with a separate tub and rainshower, complete with steam room function.
A hallway flanked with mirrors leads to the bedroom, which offers a walk-in wardrobe, with plenty of room for clothes for a prolonged stay, and the lounge has a dining table for 4, as well as lounge seating for at least this number. There is also a reasonable work area, with a larger safe than in the smaller room categories. A large bowl of fresh fruit is provided as an amenity in all suites. Pool & GymThe leisure facilities are also top notch at the Grand Hyatt Berlin, which has the only roof-top pool, gym and spa in Berlin. Club Olympus on the 8th floor has a well equipped and reasonable sized gym offering great vistas over the Tiergarten. The gym is larger than some hotel offerings and has good quality cardio equipment and some weights. Club Olympus has local members but we have never seen it busy on any of our 8 visits. There is a bank of four top quality treadmills facing the best view over the Philharmoniker and Tiergarten, if you can admire the view whilst sweating!
The piéce de resistance is a 15 m swimming pool with views over the roof tops. A large stainless steel jacuzzi sits at one end and a number of day beds are available. Outside, there is a lawn area and roof terrace providing an area for sun bathing and admiring the view. Locker rooms are large, as are the individual lockers. A slight drawback is the wristband key system. Electronic locks would be nice. There are generous facilities for hair drying etc and spin-driers for swimwear. |
Overall Impression
The Grand Hyatt Berlin is a strong competitor in a city which has a lot of 5* inventory. Service is of an extremely high standard and the renovated rooms offer great value for a European city. We advise booking a suite when you stay - the extra benefits really make this worthwhile. In addition, make sure you allow time to use the leisure facilities and restaurants. Berlin is a fantastic city for a city break with plenty to see, whilst being small enough to walk around. Although we were previously concerned about the rarity of being allocated the Club Deluxe room as a diamond member, having learnt from Mr Heckelmann, the hotel manager, that there are only 8 of these rooms, it makes perfect sense that on many visits to the hotel, it may not be possible to receive one. For first time visitors to Berlin, especially those without status, we would recommend staying at least a couple of nights in the Adlon Kempinski. For business travellers and repeat guests, the Grand Hyatt is a solid option.