Hotel Kastanienhof — Hotel in Berlin

I stayed here for just under 2 months while studying through an IES program. I was as happy as I could be about the place! I came to write this review now because I'm in another tab describing to a friend how I felt like a queen at the Kastanienhof.

I was in a back side room with what could have been a dismal view of an alley but it looks out onto a residential courtyard with an interesting view of the Fernsehturm. The huge window opens very wide and there are automatic shades so I slept most of the time with the breezes. I am from an urban area so the street noises never disturbed me but they are there. This hotel is in a very central business location which suited me very well. In my long stay with cultural learning as the goal, I enjoyed having other residences around me. During the Eurovision Contest, I could hear the neighbours watching as well and one night two men perched on the roof across the way to watch the planet Mars as I hung out the window. I felt like I was a part of Berlin in a way I've never felt part of Orlando while at the Holiday Inn.

The included breakfast is amazing. Apparently that's just a normal Berlin breakfast, but it blew my mind away. The foods were all very fresh and delicious. I found many favorite foods through Kastanienhof's breakfast. There are cheeses, meats, breads, fruits, yoghurts (notice these are all plural... the spread is vast and varied)... if you are totally new to Germany, have an overview of foods so you don't miss out on things like rich, delicious Quark just because of the funny name.

As I said above, the hotel is in a central district. The streetcar has a stop right outside with several more lines accessible just a block or two away. You can get direct to most tourist attractions from there. The neighbourhood itself is a tourist attraction - this mokawk wearing Derby queen's favorite spot is the church at the end of the block. Zionskirche was a refuge for punks and other musical subversives during the Separation. The church gave them space to perform and offered them safety from the State Police. Today, it's still used for music events of all types. All up and down Kastanienallee are small shops, art galleries, and cafes. Nearby are many museums. In the hotel lobby are lots of coupons for free entry. In walking distance you can also visit the shops at Hackescher Markt and if you've got strong legs Alexanderplatz is in walking distance.

The staff are all magical. The foreign language skills vary; some speak fluent Russian and no English, others have pretty alright Italian and English. All are incredibly patient as you search for the correct German words. Since I stayed there for some time, they got a sense of my desires. I fell in love with a certain fruit and the one gal who usually took care of breakfast had some on the buffet within minutes of my arrival. During holiday weekend, I fell ill with very severe food poisoning from a street vendor. Once I got home, we discovered the crud that got me sick was so awful that it had damaged my intestines but that weekend the staff kept me so well taken care of I didn't need any medical attention. One of the maids had even got me a bottle of water on her lunch break to make sure I was drinking. They all were so incredibly sweet.

I didn't lose myself in the handsome eyes of a stranger... my summer fling was the Kastanienhof. I long...

This hotel was just perfect for my needs in Berlin.||Located well with two tram lines just outside the door or subway lines just a short walk down the hill. With the help of Google maps, and the tourist transit pass, I had no problem getting anywhere I wanted to go throughout the day.||The room faced the street, but was quiet enough so that I never felt annoyed at the tram, auto or pedestrian traffic. The bathroom was modern and the bed comfortable. Temperature adjustments with the radiators was easy and efficient. At the time of my visit, I felt no need for air conditioning. The lift was very efficient getting me to and from reception to my room.||The staff was fiendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The room was attended to each day with a refresh...bed made, bathroom cleaned up, trash emptied. The mini bar was stocked and reasonably priced, if I was so inclined. All I purchased was bottled water and it was priced lower than the convenience stores along the street.||I took advantage of their laundry service and got all of my garments back, cleaned and folded at a fair price.||On my last day I sampled their breakfast service and was delighted with the selection of fruits, meats, cheeses, vegatables and smoked fish. Cereals, fresh pastries and breads? Check and check. Coffee and tea was offered as well. Just outstanding.||There are lots of various dining options on the street and also morning coffee shops as well. With a credit card and some cash, I never went hungry.||I was happy here, and made to feel welcome. It's a great neighborhood to base a...

This hotel was welcoming and gracious, even when I changed my reservation a couple times. I booked well in advance of our stay. We had a lovely little room and it was well-priced and affordable for the tourist season. |The staff was helpful and friendly. |The most amazing thing about this hotel is its location. This neighbourhood has it all. It's close to coffee shops, amazing food and an eclectic blend of people who are so chill, yet so fun. We joined in their party-like atmosphere on the weekends as they shared drinks in the local park, and coffee at nearby cafes. This hotel is quieter than thrones down further and more famous at the nearest larger intersection. |We LOVED Berlin: it's my new favourite European city, and this neighbourhood with its perfect mix of people is one of the reasons. |We also caught the trams and Underground down the street at the corner. It goes to the main station. |The hotel has some bikes to use but they were too big for me. |NO A/C, but good beds and pillows. Small rooms. The history of this small hotel is amazing. Good food and coffee in the am, or pay for coffee nearby. |Most ppl in the city speak English, and are very tourist-friendly. Perfectly SAFE. We were the ones paranoid lol. |There is a rental bike shop 4-5 doors down with a super-friendly owner.|If you're a cyclist, this is the place for you. You can ride anywhere on the city's protected paths, then leave the city and ride to the next small town. Amazing sites on the...