Homaris West Side

The hotel's heating worked fine, the room size was acceptable, and the street-side room wasn't noisy. It's a five-minute walk to the subway, though getting to the city centre takes 30-40 minutes. Once checked in, opening the room door with the webpage as a digital key was convenient. Getting in was a hassle. The booking was under TWO Hotel Berlin by Axel, and I only learned from Google and when I arrived that it had been renamed. You can't enter without completing online check-in, so I waited outside in the cold for over ten minutes. Self check-in also isn't available for bookings through small third-party websites or travel agencies. I had to reach staff on WhatsApp or by phone, and the line was often busy. It took five or six tries to get through. Cleanliness was average. There were cobwebs in the public lobby and stains on the room towels. Services have to be chosen online: breakfast costs €17 and cleaning €5. I declined both because they didn't seem good value. Check-in is 3:00 PM and checkout is 12:00 PM. It seems this used to be a three-to-four-star hotel, but it's now poorly maintained. It would be acceptable only at a low price.

There was no proper wellness hotel experience here, and I wouldn't recommend coming expecting one. No robe or slippers were provided, and there often weren't enough towels for the spa area. The spa itself was disgusting: the whirlpool smelled terrible and the sauna never seemed to get properly cleaned. The hotel felt almost like a ghost place, with barely any staff around. Most services, if available, were remote. The reception was always empty, and the hotline staff were rude and would hang up. They said they'd call back but never did. Most employees seemed to work part-time or as minijobbers. My room smelled like a pack of cigarettes when I arrived. There were no glasses, and the minibar was empty apart from a complimentary tetra pack of water. The shower was faulty and the rainshowerhead dripped on me every time I used it. The gym's water dispenser never worked either. Breakfast was okay, but there were no gluten-free options.

Public transport is very close, and the hotel is in a great location. I liked the self check-in idea, and the room was nice with comfortable beds. We really enjoyed the spa and jacuzzi, and I had a great stay.

The room was cold and unpleasant, with noise from the busy road and a smell of mold and stale smoke. The blankets were thin summer ones, even though it was November. There was no staff member at reception when I needed help, and every question had to go through WhatsApp or a phone call. I asked to change rooms that night, but that wasn't possible. When I requested a refund and cancellation, they refused and offered just 15% off. Avoid this place if you can. It was one of my worst hotel stays, and I found the value for money poor.