My partner and decided to book this hotel a week to relaxe, as we both have quit stressfull jobs in Berlin. As a restaurant Manager in a 4 Star Plus hotel in Berlin it is possible that my expectations are a bit high when entering a hotel of the Luxury class.

The check in and out were fast and effiecient. To bad the personal touch and a warm felt welcome was missing. I found it very displeasing that when asking a question on Reception on the first day about W-Lan or the Bathrooms, I was first attacked with the counter question ' are you a guest here?' I was offended! this also occured in the wellness area on my first morning. After I complained about this, a young reception worked explained to me that due to my under average age in this 5 Star Hotel the question is 'Normal', by the way I am 36, and it is true that most of the guests here seemed to be well over 55, still I found this to be offensive, as if I would walk around dressed as a street bum!

On the first morning when walking by the reception desk in the direction of the Breakfast Restaurant we were very dissapointed to have walked by at least 5 hotel workers and not even one said 'Güten Morgen'! On the second day when walking by the reception desk all 4 workers looked at us without a word until I barked a brisk 'Güten Morgen' first then, came an in unison ' Güten Morgen', to bad that one has to sometimes be a bit rude to make a point, this would not even be acceptable in a 3 star house let alone 5!

The Breakfast Buffet would have been great if we were in a 4 star hotel but for a 5 star Breakfast Buffet I found it to be a bit under par. A Plus was freshly cut fruit, fresh eggs are possible to order but not offered, this is the same with coffee specialities. Most of the waiters were unfriendly sometimes even rude. The only server who was friendly and attentive was Frau Fuchs, if you have breakfast here try to sit in her serving area. She is a delight, friendly and even brings one new cutlery without complaining unlike the other waiters. The breath taking view of the Baltic Sea almost makes up for the poor service here.

One evening my partner ordered a 3 course meal with paired wine in Restaurant Korale ( an in house Restaurant) for us. I must say it was great! The food- great, the service- impeccable, the head waiter is a true master of his trade, a bit reserved and old school but also charming.

We were in Cafe Panorama the in house cafe, here one has a great view of the Baltic Sea. The young man serving cake was a true delight with lots of personality and a smile!

The hotel also has a fitness and wellness area which I used 3 times. The entry to which reminds one a bit of entering a larg department store and not a wellness area. In the gym the trainers were friendly and attentive, the weight machines seemed a bit old. Here one also has a view of the Baltic Sea. The Sauna and relaxation room were okay but seem smaller than the pictures in the internet.

All in all I would say this is an okay hotel which needs to be modernised, great view, bit of a chilling history,, not worth more than a 4Star+ rating.