Garner Hotel Berlin - Gendarmenmarkt by IHG

We're diamond elite IHG members who travel a lot, but we don't need anything fancy, just a clean, simple room with a window. Our first room, 103, faced inside, was very dark, and sat close to both the doors and restaurant. I woke around 5am to the dining staff setting up breakfast. They weren't especially loud, but the room was badly placed, with too much foot traffic by the main doors. Our friends, who aren't members, were on the fourth floor with a nice city view. I asked the night clerk if we could switch, and he assured me ours was one of the best rooms in the hotel. It really wasn't. The next morning I asked again, since our IHG preferences are set for a high floor. Management let us move, and the new room has a great city view. It's clean, much larger than European hotel rooms, and we're much more comfortable. The location is close to great sights. Breakfast was solid, with eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, vegetables, yogurt, meats and cheeses, pastries, breads, coffee, juice, and plenty more.

The location was great, but the room's condition and cleanliness were below par. We stayed four nights and it was cleaned and tidied only once. They took our towels then, without leaving clean replacements, so we had to go get them ourselves. I wouldn't choose it again, as there are better options nearby for the same price.

It's a handy spot near the U2 and U5, with easy access to major tourist sights. Not having air conditioning was a bit of a headache. Luckily, I traveled in early spring, and it was still bearable with the window open. The staff were helpful and cheerful, though not everyone understood English well.

I really disliked how open the bathroom is to the room. It gives the place the look of a cheap hourly hotel. The plastic floor is broken and looks dirty, as you can see in the picture. It should have been replaced weeks ago. I won't return.