I had a fantastic stay, so here’s a detailed review of my weekend:

Hotel Matamba Pros: Communication with the hotel was smooth and easy. I received a response within 48 hours, making the planning process super convenient. Parking was hassle-free, and check-in went really well. The staff arranged the shuttle to the Fantissima show and also set up breakfast times without any issues. The room was fantastic—clean, spacious, and perfect for me, my companion, and my service dog. The shower was huge, making it the perfect spot to unwind after long days.

The best part was being able to walk straight out of my room and right into the park. That convenience was unbeatable! The staff were also very friendly and helpful, and I had no issues with them at all. Check-out was just as smooth as check-in, which made everything feel seamless.

Park Pros: The hotel’s easy access to the park was a huge plus. Being able to take breaks in my room and return to the park quickly was super convenient. I loved the dryers scattered around the park, especially since we got soaked on the RiverQuest ride. They were a lifesaver! It would be great to have more of them, but being able to head back, change clothes, and return to the park was awesome. The food options in the park were fantastic—I had the Asian noodles, and they were delicious! It was great to see pets wandering and enjoying the park, something you never see in other parks.

Hotel Matamba Cons: Some of the stairwells were out of service, which made things a little tricky with my dog. It would have been easier to use the stairs to avoid other guests who might be nervous around him. Waiting for an elevator without children took a bit longer than I would’ve liked, but it wasn’t a huge deal. I was also a little disappointed that the hotel didn’t have a spa. If there had been one nearby, I definitely would’ve taken advantage of it.

Park Cons: The app was a real letdown. I needed it to help navigate the park, especially since I have a disability (though I don’t use a wheelchair). It’s important for me to find routes with as few turns as possible, but the app just didn’t help. The "Quick pass" feature was also difficult to figure out. I spent 30 minutes trying to find the exit to one ride and eventually gave up, which meant I only got on four rides in two days. The ride wait times weren’t accurate, and the boards around the park didn’t display the right information either.

It would also be helpful if the map allowed for better zooming. As an adult without my reading glasses, it was tough to make out the routes between different areas of the park.

Phantasialand Overall Recommendations:

• Add a pet option during online check-in to avoid confusion. A simple checkbox would help. This was the only part of the reservation process that was a bit of a hassle and even resulted in a room downgrade. I was told I owed a balance at check-in, but I had an email confirming that the downgrade was due to my service dog and that the balance would be refunded.
• Make it easier to travel between Fantasy and Berlin. It took us 30 minutes to figure out how to get from one part of the park to another. There was a gate, but it seemed closed, and it wasn’t marked how to get around.
• Clearly post the pet fee ahead of time to inform guests before they arrive.
• Add zebra stripes or crosswalk markings from the Hotel Matamba entrance to the parking lot. A few cars thought we were crossing illegally, and we had to dodge them.
• The video channels were great, but it would be helpful if they included more information about navigating the hotel, food options, and gift shops in each park region or a channel for each park sector.