Hotel Berlin Marriott

The Marriott is only a few minutes away from the Postdamer Platz, with its U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations, and enjoys a good location close to the main attractions of this trendy neighbourhood: designer buildings (like the Sony Center), decorated fragments of the Berlin Wall, shopping centres, restaurants, bars, cafés... A short walk will take you to the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Parliament. A nearly ideal central location.

Most guests are unaware that the famous Berlin Wall actually used to run under the restaurant. Management redesigned it for the purpose of a documentary shot on the occasion of the anniversary of the fall of the wall. Nowadays, you'll see some remnants of the wall at a short distance from the hotel.

From the outside you can only guess at the massive proportions of this establishment. Once inside, the immense lobby will confirm your impression. There are two entrances. The main entrance is concealed in a street that runs perpendicular to the main avenue and the other more discreet entrance is through the restaurant. At first glance, the reception area is hard to locate as it is tucked away at the far end of the huge marble-clad indoor patio. There are numerous yellow and brown seats arranged around a globe-shaped central fountain. For a relaxing break, head for the well-being centre, open 24/7, with its sauna, swimming pool and fitness room. As far as work is concerned, the hotel provides several computers inside its business centre. The ideal establishment for vacationers and business travellers alike!

With 367 rooms, the Marriott could easily compete with several of the club hotels on the Mediterranean coast! Four categories are available: superior, deluxe, executive and suite. All provide the Marriott standard level of comfort: a king size bed with a plethora of pillows, TV set (plasma screens are currently being installed in every room), two phones, an alarm clock, kettle with tea and coffee, a mini bar, a safe, an iPod dock, individual air conditioning and a marble-clad bathroom with Aromatherapy welcome toiletries, hair dryer and bathtub or shower. As far as the interior is concerned, Mariott has once again banked on a classical and elegant style: a red bedspread, green wall-to-wall carpet, refined furniture made of wood, paintings... As for the view, you won't have much of a choice: All rooms look out onto the street but there are no particular noise problems to report. Guests staying in the executive rooms enjoy the exclusive use of a lounge area.

Despite the number of guests and outside visitors, there is only one restaurant with a capacity of 130 diners (170 at the most) in the Marriott. Everything is based on the American style, from the interior (hardwood floors, wooden chairs and tables) and the "show kitchen" to the menu, which includes little else than grilled meat. It is open all day long and snacks are served from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. The rates are quite decent for this luxury hotel: grilled dishes cost anywhere between 14 and 17 pounds. The Marriott also houses an American bar with a typically New York style atmosphere: sofas, beige and brown leather armchairs, paintings of jazz musicians, a large TV, hardwood floor and wall-to-wall carpet. Guests can also enjoy small snacks during the day, such as fruits, pastries or small sandwiches. The American lifestyle in all its splendour!