Master Thread: ex-Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm [no longer part of Accor] - FlyerTalk Forums (2024)

I promised to report back after my second stay so here we go:

My partner and I have an yearly tradition to visit different European Christmas markets. This year, we headed to Berlin and decided to give a second try to the Sofitel Berlin Kurfurstendamm. We only stayed over the weekend, so just for two nights. We wished we could have stayed longer.

Check-in
We arrived to the hotel from Tegel airport by bus number 109. The ride took about 30 minutes and a bus stop in the Kurfurstendamm was within five minutes walk from the hotel. The location was perfectly connected with S-bahn, U-bahn and buses. The nearest stations, Kurfurstendamm and Zoologischer Garten, were in a walking distance. From there one could take either S-bahn or U-bahn to basically anywhere in Berlin.
The reception and lobby lounge were pretty empty at 10am when we arrived. I had completed the online check-in two days before and received by email a confirmation stating that our room keys would be ready in the front desk when we arrive.
We didn't need to wait for more than a few minutes before a jolly front desk agent was ready to help us. I handed over my Platinum card just to be told that the loyal customer card wasn't necessary to show since it was in their system already. She didn't thank us for our loyalty but claimed she remember my name and welcomed us back. Then she asked us to show our passports. I gave them to her and asked what was the purpose to check-in online if we needed to repeat the same procedure here again. She said: "I know, it doesn't make cense. I don't know what's the point."
She gave our keys and offered two welcome drink vouchers which we were able to use in a lobby bar for a glass of wine selected by a sommelier. There were few options for red, white and sparkling wines. Also beers and soft drinks could be redeemed against the vouchers. We chose some excellent Riesling.
I had booked a superior room and asked about the upgrade since the receptionist didn't mention it. She said we have been given one level upgrade to a lovely luxury room. I was happy with that and asked my next question: the lounge access. It was given without hesitation but we were warned that the lounge is very small and it might get loud there. I had actually contacted the general manager, Mr. Carsten Colmorgen already a few months before our stay and he originally granted the access for us. He also told me in his email that they were actively looking for a solution to the capacity problem of lounge. It only has 25 seats but during our stay it was mostly empty and very peaceful place to enjoy good food, drinks and company. They should, however, expand it or move it to other location if it really gets crowded easily.

Room
I don't usually buy it if a front desk agent says that he or she will give his or her favourite room to us. I didn't do so this time either – before I saw the room. It indeed was very nice: not that big but it had a huge amount of windows, more than ten, that gave views to three different direction. We were able to admire the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the rooftop of KaDeWe, for example.
The room came with king-sized bed, writing desk, flat-screen TV, Nespresso machine with six coffee capsules, safe, wardrobe, and one armchair with side table. It had neither tea nor Bose audio system that can be found in most of other Sofitel hotels. Also the bed wasn't typical MyBed. Only the top mattress, featherbed, was from MyBed collection. We didn't find the bed the most comfortable one and didn't slept perfectly which is of course sad because the bed is supposed to be the most important thing in a hotel. But: we might be too critical. It's always a matter of taste. Some likes firmer bed than others and we really are truly MyBed fans since we have one at home, too.
Bathroom had separated bathtub and walk-in shower, plus "his and her" sinks in front of a giant mirrow. Bath products – shampoo, shower gel, hair conditioner, body lotion, and bar soap – were from Lanvin's collection and they were replaced regularly. Once a maid brought Hermés set, though.
A bottle of mineral water (750 ml) were waiting for us on of the bed side table. Unfortunately, the water wasn't replaced after we drank it. On the other hand, we were able to pick up water bottles from the lounge freely. Turndown service was done in both evenings.

Service
The service was good, especially in the lounge. The staff there were very attentive and active. When it was time to thank you and say good buy, the lovely lounge attendant said: "It was a pleasure to have you here as our guest." Small things that makes you happy and smile. Nothing was too much asked during our short stay here. Tooth brushes and shaving kits were sent to our room quickly after we requested them.

Lounge
This time, we only ate in the lounge. We had booked a rate without breakfast as usual and we were able to enjoy it in the lounge. However, we weren't given a choice of having the breakfast in the main restaurant. No big deal but a little bit weird. This is the first hotel where the breakfast is strickly offered only in the lounge unless one has paid for the it.
The selection was pretty basic and certainly enough. It included, for example, five different cold cuts, two type of cheeses, pickled vegetables, fresh cucumbers, marinated cherry tomatoes, olives, salads, home made pesto, three different gravlax with dill and mustard sauce, wide selection of bread rolls, fresh croissants, jams, pain au chocolats, danishes, fresh fruits, cereals, muesli, youghurts, smoothies, three fresh juices, creamy scrambled eggs (the best one I have eaten to be honest), crispy bacon... All high quality. During the weekend, the breakfast is served until 2pm!
Afternoon tea around 3pm was a small let down. They only had one chocolate mousse cake and cookies to choose from. But tea selection was very good.
co*cktail hours from 6pm to 9pm then was good again: average white wine, red one, and sparkling wine were on offer, also a full help-yourself-bar. Snacks included cheeses (Brie, Camembert and some kind of green pepper cheese) with spicy jam, five different high quality canapés, salted cashews, smoked almonds, and few desserts. Very well done!

Platinum recognition
To sum it up, we did receive:
* Early check-in at 10am
* Welcome drink vouchers for two, good for specially selected wines
* Upgrade from superior to luxury room
* Full lounge access
* Welcome letter from general manager in the room
* Fruit platter as a VIP treatment (this was disappointing: it had boring apple, mandarin, and plum)
* Newspaper delivered to room
* Late check-out at 4pm (left the lounge just before 5pm)