Review : The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

As part of a last minute business trip to Berlin, I booked at the Ritz-Carlton, next door to the Marriott, which was the same price.

Booking

I made the reservation via the Marriott Bonvoy app using my business’ corporate code. The price difference between a standard room and a club room being minimal, I chose the second one to try the famous Ritz Club which I have been praising for a long time (for information, Marriott Bonvoy members do not have access to the lounges in the Ritz-Carlton regardless of their status).

It will be a Club room for 245€.

Arrival

A few days before my arrival, I check-in online via the Marriott Bonvoy app.

Some decorations to celebrate Christmas on the way to the hotel

The hotel appears to be full until the day I arrive, so I don’t expect any upgrades.

On the day of my arrival, the app still shows me the room as originally booked and even receives my virtual key, but I find that junior and executive suites are available when I board for Berlin.

Unambiguous availability of Executive Suites…
… And Junior Suites

So I use the chat features to see if they can upgrade me… And no, I receive a categorical no, despite the possibility of booking suites. I don’t like to be mistaken for a fool!

The end of the line
A beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby of the hotel

I arrive at the hotel at 7:30 pm and try to use my virtual key to use the elevator, and I fail… So I have to go to the front desk, where the usual formalities are carried out (so what’s the point of offering the virtual key…).

The receptionist is adorable, tells me that they could not upgrade me because they are almost full and tells me the conditions of access to the Club.

So I head to my room with physical keys.

The appearance of the corridors is very qualitative
On the way to my room… View of the hotel in which I chose not to stay this time

Room

My Club room is located on the Club floor. I think it does not differ from the standard rooms, but since we’re at Ritz-Carlton, they are very beautiful!

The entrance to the room

A large entrance is available, and leads immediately to the bathroom.

The entrance is spacious and furnished with taste

The bathroom looks older in design, but is still elegant. It has a bath, two washbasins, a separate toilet and a large shower.

The black marble/wood/white marble contrast is not the most successful and reinforces the dated side of the place
The decoration of the edge of the bathroom basins is a bit questionable
The products offered are diverse and of excellent quality
The shower is spacious and the pressure is correct
The bath and its shower cord cleaned for each customer

The entrance is equipped with an integral mirror and a large closet.

The very large closet takes up most of the entrance and has everything you need, including an iron and ironing board

In the room itself, the king size bed is extremely comfortable and I slept like a baby.

The bed that will make me sleep like on a cloud

Opposite, the television and the mini-bar, well equipped, as well as the courtesy tray with espresso machine.

The well-stocked mini-bar… But also very expensive
And the famous snacks, at gold prices too
The espresso machine… For the lazy ones who don’t want to walk 5 meters to the Club Lounge

The desk is also very practically designed with many outlets in every conceivable size.

The office and television area is very elegant
Desktop connectivity is superb

Finally, a sofa completes the equipment of the room.

The sofa is comfortable but I won’t use it much during my short stay

Note that the bed’s contours are also well designed, with equipped bedside tables and USB outlets on both sides.

The bedside tables are well designed and well equipped
The room was prepared for the night with a small chocolate placed on the bedside table

A welcome service with cream puffs was provided for me, as well as a welcome note.

The welcome service was excellent
The signed note is always a pleasure

To finish, the visit of the room in video :

The Ritz-Carlton Berlin - Club King Room

Hotel facilities

The hotel is equipped with a fitness room and a spa, both located in the basement of the property.

The spa is only accessible with your room key. It has a nice size stream pool and a jacuzzi.

The pool is a nice size, and the hot tub is still covered this morning
The relaxation area by the pool

A mixed sauna and steam room are also available.

The hammam, very well kept but lacks steam at this early hour
The sauna looks completely new
A rest area and a herbal tea room are available near the sauna and the hammam

The locker rooms are of good quality and have been recently renovated.

The changing rooms of the spa are very elegant

The fitness room is quite small, but the equipment is varied and of the latest generation.

The fitness room is quite small, but the equipment is varied and of the latest generation.
An excellent idea, which does a lot of good after an intense session
The 3 treadmills are ultra-modern, but may seem insufficient for a hotel of this size
Elliptical trainers will be in full swing by 7 a.m.
Two bikes that will be occupied very quickly
The free exercise area will also be quickly occupied
The equipment of the room is diversified despite its size.

Club Lounge

The Club Lounge is located on the 10th floor of the property. It is staffed from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and a small self-service area stays open all night.

The main entrance to the Club Lounge during operating hours
A letter telling me the benefits and hours of the club was given to me at check-in
The decor of the rest areas… Back in the 80’s
Some floral arrangements decorate a part of the lounge
The entrance can be used outside the opening hours of the club
The beverage fridge in the 24-hour area is well stocked…
Even if the water, in glass bottles, is inconvenient to use with its mini size. Unprecedented, self-service red bull
The coffee machine is also available 24 hours a day

Dinner service

I arrive at the Club Lounge in the middle of dinner service. I am greeted by an employee who seats me at a table and asks me what I want to drink.

The tables are all set up like this for the evening meal, allowing Club guests to enjoy dinner

I’ll have a glass of champagne.

A tray with fresh fruit and still and sparkling water is available in the middle of the lounge

The buffet is very appealing.

The German baking tradition is highlighted

As a hot dish, an Asian-inspired vegetarian stir-fried rice and steamed fish with potatoes.

This sautéed rice was excellent, very tasty
The cod was excellently cooked, and the potatoes very melting

Various cold cuts and cheeses are available, as well as appetizers. Salads can also be made.

Some snacks to sip with a glass of champagne or a cocktail
Salami, margarine and quality butters to accompany cold cuts
Some appetizing hors d’oeuvres
Quality cold cuts and cheeses

The desserts are a little less appetizing because you have to take them from the refrigerator.

Opening the fridge door to access the desserts is not very engaging
Some sweets are presented outside the refrigerator, nevertheless

Breakfast service

After my turn in the fitness room, I head to the Club Lounge to take advantage of the breakfast offer. Contrary to my expectations, the place is almost empty. As soon as I arrived, a waiter came to take my order of hot drinks and juice and I went to the buffet.

Some freshly squeezed fruit juices to start the day
The selection of cereals and toppings is endless to get the energy to start the day off right

This one is very well stocked, with a hot and cold selection, pastries, cold cuts, smoked salmon and dairy products.

The breads could be of better quality
But the cold cuts are of very good quality
And the pastries are of French standard
A beautiful selection of cut fruits just waiting to be tasted
The selection of dairy products is also very appetizing
It’s a good thing I’m on a diet… Otherwise I would have gladly succumbed to this Nuremberg bacon and sausage dish!

I decide to start light and limit myself to my few morning espressos.

Departure

The departure formalities will be simple since I will use the mobile check-out. My invoice will be sent when I am transferred by cab to the airport.

Bottom line

An excellent stay, although the treatment of repeat customers (especially at the highest status) could be improved.

Olivier Delestre-Levai
Olivier Delestre-Levai
Olivier has been into airline blogging since 2010. First a major contributor to the FlyerTalk forum, he created the FlyerPlan website in July 2012, and writes articles with a major echo among airline specialists. He now co-runs the TravelGuys blog with Bertrand, focusing on travel experience and loyalty programs.
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