This hotel is located in a quiet residential area but it has very access to public transportation. A short 3 minutes walk took me to a bus stop where I could catch the M41 bus which goes to, amongst others, Potsdamer Platz and the Hauptbahnhof. A slightly longer walk (about 10-15 minutes) in the other direction and I was at the Hallesches Tor station. Despite being in a rather deserted area, I never felt any worry for my safety coming home after dark. The great thing about the location is that it is almost completely silent at night enabling me to sleep very well.
My single room was spacious and clean and the bed was large and comfortable. The shower has good water pressure and the stand out point is the heated floor tiles in the bathroom! The bathroom is equipped with basic amenities and a hairdryer was offered to me during check in. As I travelled alone, the frosted glass door that separated the room and the bathroom posed no problem to me although I can see how it might be an issue if I were travelling with someone else.
There are no coffee making facilities in the room but there is a complimentary bottle of water in the room when I first arrived. I only have two suggestions for improvement with regard to the room - Firstly, the lighting in the room was inadequate for night time reading. I usually read up on my plans for the next day before bed and would have liked a bed side light that enabled me to read. There is a reading lamp on the desk but the desk is a tiny one and there was insufficient space to spread my maps on. Secondly, the TV is installed at a weird angle so that I had to twist my body to view it from the bed. Placing it on the wall in front of the bed would make viewing much more comfortable.
The buffet style breakfast was good. There is no hot food but instead the is a good spread of breads, cheeses, cold cuts, cereals, smoked salmon and herring salad to enjoy while gazing out at the pretty backyard (I chose a window seat every time).
There is an elevator and also a computer with free internet at the bar. The reception staff are very friendly and helpful.
I'd have no qualms about recommending this hotel and would myself stay there again in a heartbeat. It was a comfortable stay and good value for money.
- Johann Hotel Berlin
