Hilton Berlin

The Hilton Berlin is the largest five-star hotel in the capital and boasts a fascinating history. Shortly before reunification, the East German hotel chain Interhotel began construction, and it opened in November 1990 as the Domhotel. Hilton acquired the hotel just one year later. We were curious to see what luxury awaited us at the Hilton Berlin.

Booking, arrival and check-in

In mid-February, we started thinking about where to spend our child-free weekend at the end of March. We finally settled on Berlin—more specifically, the Hilton Berlin. We found a rate for the weekend for €130 per night and booked immediately.

After leaving the office routine behind, we got in the car and drove north for about two hours. For cost reasons, we parked our car not in the hotel garage, but one block away in Quartier 205 (Friedrichstrasse parking garage). Here, 24 hours with the P-Card (mein-contipark.de) only EUR 9.50 instead of EUR 38 at the hotel. From the parking garage, it was only a 2-minute walk to the lobby of the Hilton Berlin.

At the reception desk in the lobby, we were served very quickly at the Hilton Honors desk. I had already received an upgrade from a Hilton King Guest Room to a King Executive Room via the Hilton app four days earlier. At the reception desk, I asked if an upgrade to a suite was possible, and after a brief consultation with the supervisor, this was unfortunately not possible. We were given a King Deluxe Room, which is below the Executive Room in terms of room category, but considerably larger.

Where is the Hilton Berlin located?

The Hilton Berlin is located opposite the German Cathedral at Gendarmenmarkt in the Mitte district. This prime location offers guests an ideal starting point for exploring Berlin's diverse sights. Within a few minutes' walk, guests can reach landmarks such as Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island, and the imposing Brandenburg Gate. The Stadtmitte and Hausvogteiplatz subway stations are also just a few minutes' walk away, making exploring the city even more convenient.

What are the rooms like (King Deluxe Room) at the Hilton Berlin?

The King Deluxe Room boasts an attractive interior. Upon our arrival in the evening, we found the room a bit dark, as there were only a few ambient lights. However, the room is pleasantly spacious and is divided into a cozy living area and a sleeping area.

The living area features a comfortable sofa with a coffee table and a desk on a sideboard. This is also where the room's only television is located, although it's a bit small due to the distance between the bed and the television. The king-size bed in the sleeping area is very comfortable and is complemented by another sideboard with a built-in minibar. However, some of the furniture in the room is already worn, such as the sideboard on which the television sits. Another aspect that detracts from the overall experience is the noise of the ventilation and air conditioning units, which we found disturbing. In the summer months, this can disrupt a good night's sleep.

The bathroom is small, although large enough for two people, and in need of renovation. It only has a shower tray, which is no longer up-to-date. There are also small rust spots in several places, which spoil the overall impression. The toiletries, as in almost all Hiltons worldwide, are by Crabtree & Evelyn, mounted on the wall in large pump bottles.

What is breakfast like at the Hilton Berlin?

Breakfast is served in the BELETAGE restaurant on the first floor of the hotel. Breakfast hours are Monday to Friday from 6:30 to 10:30, and on weekends from 7:00 to 11:00. The Hilton Berlin's breakfast restaurant is large, commensurate with the number of rooms. The seats by the large window front are lovely, especially in the magnificent winter garden with a view of the cathedral. We found the ambiance in the rest of the restaurant a bit dark. For guests in Executive Rooms, there was a separate seating area at the rear of the restaurant. Here, we found a cozy and quiet spot by the window and enjoyed our breakfast with a view of the German Cathedral.

The buffet area takes up a large portion of the restaurant. The selection is accordingly extensive and there are many delicacies. There was a wide variety of cereals, yogurt, and fruit, as well as fresh bread and pastries, cold cuts, cheeses, and the usual hot dishes that make up an English breakfast. There was no à la carte menu, but you could have an omelet or other egg dishes made to order. The selection of lactose-free, gluten-free, and vegan dishes was also very extensive.

A personal highlight was that the breakfast buffet also offered sparkling wine, or Robby Bubble, a non-alcoholic alternative for the kids. We've never experienced this before at a Hilton hotel, where a family can enjoy a champagne breakfast together.

What is the Executive Lounge like at the Hilton Berlin?

The Hilton Berlin Executive Lounge is located in the hotel lobby. Access is available with a special card during opening hours from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. During happy hour, room numbers are also checked.

The spacious 360-square-meter lounge offers a variety of seating options, from sofas, armchairs, and regular chairs with tables to standing tables. There's also a small private area and PC workstations with printers. Despite the variety of seating options, we had to wait for a free spot during our happy hour.

Complimentary coffee, tea, and soft drinks are available in the lounge during opening hours. Breakfast is not offered in the Executive Lounge. Instead, guests have access to a separate area in the Beletage restaurant. Happy hour on the first evening included mini meatballs and fish soup. This was accompanied by a large and delicious selection of salads, vegetables, and cheeses. On the second evening, there was carrot soup and chicken nuggets. The hot meals on both evenings were okay, but not a hit. Drinks included soft drinks, various wines, sparkling wine, a good selection of local beers, and some spirits.

What does the Hilton Berlin offer for relaxation?

The Hilton Berlin offers its guests a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a sauna area. However, access to the sauna is subject to a fee for most guests, except for Hilton Diamond members. Unfortunately, the swimming pool was closed during our stay, so I only had a quick glimpse of the pool on my way to the sauna. The sauna area consisted of a Finnish sauna, a bio sauna, and an aroma room. Both the sauna and the pool were far too small for the size of the hotel.

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